Quality Manager - Aerospace Composites

Job Description

Job Description

Quality Manager - Advanced Composites Manufacturing and Inspection

Hawthorne, California | On-site

Opportunity Summary

A rapidly growing aerospace and defense startup developing next-generation composite manufacturing technologies is seeking a Quality Manager to lead the development of the company’s quality systems, composite inspection infrastructure, and manufacturing quality operations. The team is focused on scaling advanced composite production processes capable of manufacturing complex aerospace and defense hardware at significantly greater speed, throughput, and efficiency than traditional manufacturing approaches. This role will serve as the primary owner of the company’s quality organization with a strong emphasis on composite inspection, defect analysis, process validation, and quality system development. The Quality Manager will be deeply involved in hands-on inspection and manufacturing quality execution while simultaneously building the long-term systems, procedures, and organizational infrastructure required to support production scale-up. The position is ideal for someone who enjoys operating directly on the manufacturing floor, solving complex composite quality challenges, and building a scalable quality organization from the ground up within a fast-moving hardware environment.

About Us

We are an early-stage advanced manufacturing company developing scalable composite production technologies for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. Our engineering and manufacturing teams operate in a highly technical environment focused on rapid process development, advanced materials engineering, and production scalability. Engineers work closely across manufacturing, quality, materials, and product development disciplines to bring production-capable composite systems from concept through commercialization and high-rate manufacturing.

Job Duties

• Build and lead the company’s quality management systems and composite inspection infrastructure from the ground up
• Drive AS9100 and ISO9001 certification readiness efforts across manufacturing and engineering operations
• Develop quality standards, inspection procedures, manufacturing controls, and process documentation for composite production operations
• Perform hands-on inspection and evaluation of composite hardware using destructive and non-destructive testing methods
• Lead composite defect analysis efforts involving delamination, porosity, fiber alignment, resin distribution, voids, cracking, and structural inconsistencies
• Develop scalable inspection methodologies and quality workflows capable of supporting rapid manufacturing growth
• Establish non-conformance management systems, MRB processes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Work directly on the manufacturing floor with engineering and production teams to troubleshoot quality issues and improve process repeatability
• Support development of process control systems focused on manufacturing consistency, yield improvement, and defect reduction
• Help define and implement metrology capabilities, inspection technologies, and quality equipment for composite manufacturing operations
• Support supplier qualification, incoming inspection standards, and vendor quality management activities
• Assist with scaling the quality department, building future quality team structure, and establishing long-term operational standards
• Partner closely with manufacturing, materials, engineering, and leadership teams to improve production readiness and product reliability
• Support technical project execution, manufacturing readiness, and production scale-up activities within a rapidly evolving startup environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience supporting quality engineering, manufacturing quality, or quality systems within composite manufacturing environments
• Strong hands-on experience working with fiber-reinforced composite materials and aerospace composite manufacturing processes
• Experience building, implementing, or maintaining AS9100 and ISO9001 compliant quality systems
• Deep familiarity with composite inspection methodologies including ultrasonic testing, CT inspection, tap testing, dimensional inspection, or related NDT techniques
• Experience analyzing composite defects and material failure modes including porosity, delamination, resin-rich areas, fiber distortion, and structural inconsistencies
• Experience supporting non-conformance management, MRB activities, corrective actions, and manufacturing quality investigations
• Familiarity with process control development and manufacturing quality optimization within production environments
• Strong understanding of composite manufacturing workflows, process variability, and production quality requirements
• Experience working with PLM, ERP, or manufacturing data systems
• Strong problem-solving capability and ability to operate effectively within fast-moving startup environments
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Polymer Science, or related technical discipline
• Comfortable working directly within hands-on manufacturing and production environments

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting aerospace or defense composite manufacturing operations
• Familiarity with compression molding, injection molding, continuous fiber layups, or advanced composite production methods
• Experience operating metrology equipment including CMMs, laser scanners, CT systems, or advanced inspection tools
• Experience with resin chemistry, materials characterization, or laboratory analysis equipment
• Familiarity with Six Sigma, SPC methodologies, or statistical quality systems
• Experience supporting supplier quality and manufacturing scale-up initiatives
• Experience working within early-stage startups or rapidly scaling manufacturing organizations
• Exposure to CAD, GD&T, or engineering drawing interpretation
• Experience leading or scaling quality teams within manufacturing organizations

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to build and scale the quality organization for a next-generation composites manufacturing company
• High ownership role with direct impact on production quality, inspection capability, and manufacturing scalability
• Hands-on engineering environment focused on advanced composite technologies and real-world hardware execution
• Early-stage company with significant opportunities for technical growth, leadership, and long-term influence
• Stock options and long-term growth opportunity
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Daily lunches provided by the company
• Paid time off and company holidays

Compensation Details

$150,000 - $200,000

#LI-AV