Director, Quality

Job Description - Director, Quality (18888)

About Us: AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people across over 60 sites in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago, Illinois area, AAR supports commercial and government customers in more than 100 countries through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Integrated Solutions, Repair and Engineering and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s purpose is to empower people to build innovative aerospace solutions today so you can safely reach your destination tomorrow. The company’s mission is to go above and beyond to provide value-driven aerospace aftermarket solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers worldwide. AAR constantly searches for the right thing to do for its customers, employees, partners and for society.

Director, Quality - 18888

Description

Description:

The Director of Quality is responsible for the strategic leadership, execution, and continuous improvement of Aircraft Reconfig Technologies' Quality Management System (QMS). This position ensures compliance with all applicable FAA regulations, Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) requirements, customer specifications, and company policies across engineering, manufacturing, modification, repair station, and certification activities.

The Director of Quality leads all quality assurance and inspection functions, including receiving, in-process, and final inspection; audit programs; corrective and preventive actions; nonconformance management; and regulatory compliance. The role serves as the primary interface with the FAA, customers, and external auditors while driving a culture of safety, accountability, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

What you will be responsible for:

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System to ensure compliance with FAA regulations, ODA requirements, customer standards, and contractual obligations.
• Establish and continuously improve quality policies, procedures, inspection programs, and quality metrics that drive operational excellence and product conformity.
• Provide leadership for all quality assurance and inspection activities, including receiving, in-process, first article, and final inspection.
• Serve as the primary quality interface with the FAA, customers, auditors, and regulatory authorities, ensuring successful audits and timely closure of corrective actions.
• Lead root cause investigations, corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve operational performance.
• Oversee the disposition of nonconforming material through Material Review Board (MRB) activities and associated risk assessment processes.
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Repair Station leadership to ensure quality objectives are integrated into all business activities.
• Develop and monitor quality performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting to drive accountability and informed decision-making.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing quality organization through effective staffing, training, coaching, and succession planning.
• Manage departmental resources, budgets, and capital requirements to support quality objectives and business growth.
• Ensure inspection personnel are appropriately trained, qualified, and current with regulatory, customer, and company requirements.
• Foster a culture of compliance, safety, ownership, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Support strategic initiatives, business growth activities, customer pursuits, and certification programs as required.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

What you need to be successful in this role:

• Associate degree in Engineering, Aviation, Business, Operations, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum ten (10) years of aviation quality, manufacturing, certification, or regulatory compliance experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of leadership experience managing quality organizations and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience interfacing with the FAA on Part 21, Part 145, Production Approval Holder (PAH), and certification-related activities.
• Strong working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 21, 25, 43, 45, 145, and 183.
• Experience managing quality systems in FAA-regulated manufacturing, modification, and/or repair organizations.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO-based quality systems, auditing practices, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, certification data, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation and procedure development.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, quality management tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aviation, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.
• Experience working within an FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) environment.
• Experience supporting FAA Certificate Management Section (CMS) oversight activities.
• AS9100 Lead Auditor, Six Sigma, Lean, or other relevant quality certifications.
• Experience supporting aircraft interiors, monuments, cabin modifications, STC programs, and aerospace manufacturing operations.

The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary:

• Competitive salary and bonus package.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off program.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about the facility.
• Work is performed in a combination of office, manufacturing and warehouse environments.
• The role requires regular sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and movement throughout production and operational areas.
• Frequent interaction with manufacturing, repair station, and inspection activities may require extended periods on the production floor.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry items up to 20 pounds.
• Position may require travel within company facilities, customer locations, supplier sites, and regulatory agencies.
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment, aircraft environments, chemicals, moving machinery, and noise levels that may exceed 85 dB. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required when applicable.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity, hearing, and mobility to perform inspections, review technical documentation, and safely navigate office and production environments.
• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, or weekends as necessary to support business, operational, customer, or regulatory requirements.

AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.