Quality Manager-Aerospace

Job Description

Job Description

Job Overview

QUALITY MANAGER – AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING

Location: Chatsworth, CA
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Annual Salary: $95,000–$100,000

Bonus offered: $15k
Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Travel Requirements: Up to 20%

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Quality Manager with prior aerospace industry experience to oversee quality assurance, quality control, and Quality Management System (QMS) compliance within an aerospace manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience managing aerospace quality standards, preparing and reviewing First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation, coordinating audits, addressing nonconformance implementing corrective actions, and leading Quality Department operations. Familiarity with aerospace customers and aerospace parts and fasteners is highly desirable.

This individual will play a critical role in maintaining product quality, ensuring compliance with applicable aerospace standards and customer requirements, and driving continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Prior aerospace industry experience is required.

Key Responsibilities Quality Management Systems (QMS)

• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the company's Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace quality standards, including AS9100, AS9120, and ISO 9001, as applicable.
• Establish, maintain, and update quality procedures, policies, work instructions, and documentation.
• Ensure quality processes align with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal standards.
• Monitor QMS effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

First Article Inspection (FAI) and Aerospace Documentation

• Prepare, review, and maintain First Article Inspection (FAI) forms and documentation in accordance with applicable aerospace quality requirements and customer specifications.
• Verify that FAI documentation is complete, accurate, and properly supported by inspection results, drawings, specifications, and other required records.
• Ensure required quality documentation is maintained and available for customer review and audits.
• Coordinate with production, engineering, and inspection personnel to resolve documentation discrepancies and ensure product conformity.
• Support compliance with applicable aerospace customer requirements for first article inspections and related quality records.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

• Oversee quality assurance and quality control activities to ensure products meet established specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensure appropriate inspection, testing, verification, and documentation procedures are followed.
• Review quality records and inspection results to verify product conformity.
• Investigate product quality issues and coordinate timely resolution.
• Work collaboratively with manufacturing and production teams to prevent defects and maintain consistent product quality.
• Apply knowledge of aerospace components, parts, and fasteners to support quality verification and compliance, as applicable.

Audits and Compliance

• Plan, coordinate, and manage internal, external, customer, and third-party quality audits.
• Ensure audit findings are documented, addressed, and resolved within established timeframes.
• Lead audit preparation activities and ensure required documentation is accurate and readily available.
• Monitor compliance with aerospace quality standards and applicable customer requirements.
• Support ongoing audit readiness and continuous compliance initiatives.

Nonconformance and Corrective Action

• Lead investigations into quality issues, nonconforming products, and process deficiencies.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Track corrective actions to ensure timely completion and verify their effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate records of nonconformances, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to reduce recurring quality issues and prevent defects.

Customer and Supplier Quality

• Serve as a key point of contact for customer quality concerns, audit findings, and corrective action requests.
• Coordinate responses to customer complaints and ensure timely resolution.
• Work with aerospace customers to understand and address applicable quality requirements and expectations.
• Monitor supplier quality performance and assist with resolving supplier-related issues.
• Ensure supplier documentation and quality requirements meet applicable company and customer standards.
• Support supplier evaluations and quality improvement initiatives as needed.

Quality Department Leadership

• Lead, manage, and support Quality Department personnel.
• Establish departmental priorities, performance expectations, and accountability standards.
• Provide training and guidance on quality procedures, documentation, inspection practices, and compliance requirements.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, operations, and other departments to achieve organizational quality objectives.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and report quality performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Analyze quality trends, identify recurring problems, and recommend process improvements.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve product conformity, reduce defects, and strengthen overall quality performance.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, reports, and records.
• Present quality performance updates, audit results, and improvement recommendations to management.

Required Qualifications

• Aerospace Industry Experience: Previous professional experience in the aerospace industry is required, preferably within aerospace manufacturing.
• Quality Management Experience: Demonstrated experience managing quality assurance, quality control, or quality management functions.
• QMS Expertise: Hands-on experience implementing, maintaining, or overseeing a Quality Management System, including AS9100 and/or AS9120 standards.
• First Article Inspection: Experience preparing, reviewing, or managing aerospace First Article Inspection (FAI) forms and associated documentation.
• Audit Management: Experience preparing for, coordinating, and managing quality audits.
• Corrective Action Expertise: Strong knowledge of root cause analysis, nonconformance investigations, and corrective and preventive action processes.
• Manufacturing Quality: Experience overseeing inspections, product conformity, quality documentation, and manufacturing quality processes.
• Aerospace Products and Customers: Familiarity with aerospace customers, customer-specific quality requirements, and aerospace parts and/or fasteners is highly desirable.
• Leadership Experience: Proven experience leading a Quality Department or supervising quality personnel.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to investigate quality issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, employees, and management.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate documentation, and ensure timely resolution of quality-related issues.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated ability to identify improvement opportunities and strengthen quality systems and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant ASQ certifications, such as Certified Quality Manager, Certified Quality Engineer, or other applicable quality certifications.
• Delegations and/or certifications related to SAE and/or DPPM , as applicable to the position and customer requirements.
• Additional aerospace quality or auditing certifications.
• Experience working with customer-specific aerospace quality requirements.
• Experience developing and monitoring quality performance metrics and improvement initiatives.

Work and Travel Requirements

• Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to review quality documentation, inspection records, reports, and technical materials.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with employees, customers, suppliers, and management.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% as required for audits, customer visits, supplier assessments, or other business needs.

Key Performance Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Maintain compliance with applicable aerospace quality standards and customer requirements.
• Effectively manage and improve the Quality Management System.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of required FAI documentation.
• Coordinate successful completion of internal, external, and customer audits.
• Ensure timely resolution of nonconformances and corrective actions.
• Support consistent product quality and reduce recurring defects.
• Lead and develop Quality Department personnel.
• Strengthen customer and supplier quality performance.
• Drive continuous improvement across quality and manufacturing operations.

Recruiting Guidance

I recommend prioritizing candidates with aerospace manufacturing experience, hands-on AS9100 QMS leadership, FAI documentation experience, audit management, corrective action expertise, and demonstrated experience leading a Quality Department .

Candidates with familiarity with aerospace customers and aerospace parts or fasteners should receive additional consideration. Preferred delegations and SAE/DPPM-related certifications can help narrow the search, but actual aerospace experience, hands-on quality management expertise, and demonstrated leadership ability should guide the initial screening process.

Compensation and Employment Opportunity

This is a direct-hire opportunity offering an annual salary of $95,000–$100,000 , depending on qualifications and experience. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to lead quality operations, support aerospace manufacturing compliance, and contribute to ongoing quality and process improvement initiatives.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

At United Employment Solutions, we are a rapidly growing team that prioritizes quality over quantity in every aspect of our business. Our foundation is built upon the core values of Honesty, Passion, Professionalism, and Respect, principles that are championed by every member of our staff and integrated into every department. We pride ourselves on maintaining a dynamic workplace environment where innovation is the heart of our success. We don't just accept new ideas; we actively thrive on them, and we encourage every employee to contribute their perspective, whether it’s a specific departmental improvement or a visionary concept for the entire company. Beyond a collaborative culture, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, including Medical coverage with company contributions, affordable Dental and Vision insurance, and company-sponsored Life Insurance. Our team also enjoys robust time-off benefits, including paid holidays, vacation pay, and five annual sick days. If you are looking for a professional home that values your voice and your growth, we invite you to come join our team!

Company Description

At United Employment Solutions, we are a rapidly growing team that prioritizes quality over quantity in every aspect of our business. Our foundation is built upon the core values of Honesty, Passion, Professionalism, and Respect, principles that are championed by every member of our staff and integrated into every department. We pride ourselves on maintaining a dynamic workplace environment where innovation is the heart of our success. We don't just accept new ideas; we actively thrive on them, and we encourage every employee to contribute their perspective, whether it’s a specific departmental improvement or a visionary concept for the entire company. Beyond a collaborative culture, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, including Medical coverage with company contributions, affordable Dental and Vision insurance, and company-sponsored Life Insurance. Our team also enjoys robust time-off benefits, including paid holidays, vacation pay, and five annual sick days. If you are looking for a professional home that values your voice and your growth, we invite you to come join our team!