Quality Assurance Manager

Overview

Element has an opportunity for an experienced Quality Manager to lead quality performance at our St. Paul & Des Moines materials testing laboratories. Reporting to the General Manager, this role is a key member of the site leadership team and accountable for the effectiveness of the Quality Management System (QMS), Prime customer approvals, and overall testing compliance and performance. The Quality Manager drives First Time Right (FTR) performance, ensures sustained compliance to aerospace and accreditation requirements, and builds strong working relationships with Aerospace Primes and customers. This role also leads continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen process robustness, reduce risk, and support business growth.

In this role, you will influence operational leadership and technical teams to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and data integrity, ensuring inspection and testing services meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations. You will champion a culture where quality is not a function, it is a discipline embedded in every process, decision, and result.

Salary: $80,000 - $110,000/yr DOE


Responsibilities

Maintain and expand scope of all accreditations, certifications, and approvals (e.g., ISO 17025, AS9100, AC7004, Nadcap AC7114), including Prime customer and regulatory requirements
Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and customer requirements
Lead and manage all internal, regulatory, customer, accreditation, and certification audits, ensuring continuous audit readiness
Manage audit NCRs, including root cause analysis (e.g., 8D methodology), corrective and preventive actions, and response management
Support NCR review and response activities with Corporate Technical Specialists
Maintain and manage Electronic Quality Management Systems (eQMS) and Nadcap eAuditNet usage across the site
Oversee execution of method audits, system audits, and proficiency testing per defined schedules
Develop, implement, and maintain site QMS policies, procedures, work instructions, and forms
Ensure implementation of process controls across laboratory and site operations
Drive implementation and continuous improvement of the QMS across all site functions
Lead initiatives to reduce cost of poor quality and improve first-time-right performance
Develop, analyze, and report quality performance metrics and corrective actions aligned with business objectives
Manage onboarding, refresher, cross-training, and competency assessment programs for site personnel
Ensure delivery of training and system utilization for eQMS and Nadcap platforms
Ensure fulfillment of customer requirements through QMS execution, contract review, and quality reporting
Maintain communication with customers, Primes, and accreditation bodies regarding quality and compliance matters
Ensure alignment with customer and regulatory requirements across functions
Lead quality investigations and cross-functional issue resolution activities
Manage prioritization and execution of quality-related activities across competing operational demands
Support coordination and communication between quality, operations, and external stakeholders related to compliance and audit activities

Skills / Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in a scientific or engineering discipline, with 5+ years of progressive experience in materials testing, aerospace manufacturing, or a regulated technical environment.
Demonstrated experience leading and operating ISO/IEC 17025 and/or AS9100-certified quality systems; Nadcap-accredited materials testing experience strongly preferred.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, including leadership of structured root cause investigations and implementation of effective, sustainable corrective actions.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environment while maintaining focus on risk, compliance, and delivery commitments.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex regulatory and technical requirements to cross-functional teams, leadership, customers, and accreditation bodies.
Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams to achieve regulatory compliance, operational performance, and business objectives.
Maintain current knowledge of internal policies, regulatory standards, and industry requirements, demonstrating ongoing professional development in aerospace quality and testing disciplines.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)


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