Principal Customer Quality Program Manager

Principal Customer Quality Program Manager

Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine's speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.

Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Centennial, Colorado or Cincinnati, Ohio facility.

Role Overview

The Principal Customer Quality Program Manager acts as the primary quality interface for Beehive Industries' strategic customers. This role is responsible for interpreting, negotiating, and deploying customer quality flowdowns, managing all customer quality matters (including quality escapes regardless of internal origin), and strengthening customer relationships. The incumbent partners cross-functionally with Sustaining Engineering, Product Line Management, Legal, Contracts, and Operations to ensure requirements are understood, met, and continuously improved across the enterprise.

What You'll Do...

• Serve as the direct point of contact for all customer quality inquiries, concerns, and strategic quality communications Beehive-wide
• Interpret, negotiate, and deploy customer quality flowdown requirements; coordinate cross-functional actions to ensure compliance
• Support or lead negotiation of quality-related contract language and clarifications with customer supply chain and legal teams
• Own quality escape management: investigate escape events, lead root cause analysis, manage customer communications, and coordinate corrective and preventive action plans across affected functions
• Represent the "Voice of the Customer" within Beehive quality reviews, risk management, product lifecycle, and program gate processes
• Lead the preparation, facilitation, and response to customer audits, on-site visits, and ongoing quality reviews
• Track, analyze, and report on customer quality metrics, trends, and corrective action effectiveness, providing structured updates to both customers and Beehive leadership
• Drive continuous improvement projects based on customer feedback, complaint trends, and internal performance metrics
• Proactively identify emerging customer quality issues and escalate as appropriate to ensure timely resolution
• Establish a strong quality-focused relationship with Engineering, Product Line, Legal, Contracts, and Operations, advocating for both customer and business interests
• Promote a culture of customer-centric quality throughout Beehive Industries

You Have...

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality, or related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered

Experience

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in quality management within manufacturing or technology industries, including direct experience managing customer accounts or programs
• Demonstrated track record interpreting and negotiating customer contract quality flowdowns
• Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to influence without authority

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of AS9100, ISO9001, and customer quality requirements in regulated industries
• Proven ability to engage directly with customers, resolve sensitive issues, and operate as the trusted quality representative
• Expertise in root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, and structured problem solving
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing reports, metrics, and customer presentations
• Strong analytical approach with ability to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Project management skills including prioritization, planning, and execution across multiple stakeholder groups
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with minimal oversight
• Experience with customer, regulatory, or third-party audits
• U.S. citizenship required; eligibility to obtain and maintain government security clearance as applicable

Nice To Have...

• Aerospace, aviation, defense, or automotive manufacturing leadership experience
• Experience managing quality organizations supporting production and new product introduction
• Experience leading customer, certification, and regulatory audits
• Experience with quality software systems, MES, and digital quality tools
• Lean Six Sigma certification or other process improvement certification
• Experience integrating quality systems following acquisitions or organizational growth
• Experience supporting Department of Defense or regulated manufacturing programs

If this sounds like you, please submit an application with your resume. This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission.

In compliance with Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the salary range for this position is $150,000-$178,000 base salary. Please note that wage information is a general guideline only, and we will consider factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and market conditions when extending an offer.

Beehive Industries offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life, and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match. Every role at Beehive Industries is bonus eligible and will also receive equity in the company.

Beehive Industries is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.