Position Summary:
We’re seeking a Director of Quality to lead our quality organization with technical rigor, operational focus, and a passion for excellence in aerospace manufacturing.

In this critical role, you’ll oversee inspection, quality engineering, and metallurgical lab operations, spending approximately 80 of your time on the shop floor. You’ll work directly with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues in real time, ensure compliance with aerospace and customer specifications, and embed a culture of accountability, safety, and product integrity.

The remaining 20 of your time will focus on strategic quality initiatives—analyzing performance metrics, refining quality systems, and driving improvements in product conformity, process capability, and audit readiness.

We’re looking for a hands-on leader with deep expertise in metal machining, aerospace fasteners, and quality systems. The ideal candidate will be fluent in quality tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, FMEA, SPC, Control Plans, and Layered Process Audits, and will bring a proven track record of leading teams through Nadcap, AS9100, and customer audits.

If youre ready to lead a world-class quality function and make a lasting impact on aerospace excellence, we invite you to join us.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing quality organization across inspection, quality engineering, and metallurgical lab functions.
• Set strategic direction for quality initiatives aligned with business goals, customer requirements, and regulatory standards (e.g., AS9100, Nadcap).
• Champion a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement across all quality disciplines.

Product Quality & Compliance

• Oversee quality assurance for aerospace fasteners, ensuring compliance with industry standards (e.g., NAS, MS, AS, AMS) and customer specifications.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and customers to translate application requirements into robust inspection and testing protocols.
• Manage quality throughout the product lifecycle—from raw material verification and in-process inspection to final audit and certification.

Manufacturing Quality Engineering

• Drive process control and improvement for machining, cold heading, heat treating, and plating operations.
• Lead efforts to reduce scrap, improve first-pass yield, and enhance product reliability using tools such as SPC, FMEA, and Control Plans.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions using structured methodologies like 8D, and 5 Whys.

Metallurgical & Lab Oversight

• Manage metallurgical lab operations including destructive testing, microstructure analysis, and material certification.
• Ensure lab compliance with Nadcap and customer-specific requirements.
• Interpret test results to support product qualification, failure analysis, and process validation.

Operational Integration

• Spend 80 of time on the shop floor engaging with production teams, resolving quality issues in real time, and reinforcing quality standards.
• Spend 20 of time on strategic planning, KPI analysis, audit preparation, and system-level improvements.
• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, and engineering to ensure quality is embedded in every stage of production.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless product development and delivery.
• Represent engineering in customer meetings, audits, and technical reviews.

Promote Safety:

• Foster a "Safety 24/7" culture by driving safety initiatives to prevent accidents and ensure a zero-incident environment.

Other:

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• First Pass Yield (FPY) – Measures how many parts pass inspection without rework. A direct indicator of process quality.
• Internal Scrap and Rework Rates – Tracks waste and inefficiencies in machining and finishing.
• Customer Return Rate (RMA) – Reflects external quality and customer satisfaction.
• Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) – Frequency and severity of product/process deviations.
• Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Closure Rate – Speed and effectiveness in resolving root causes.
• Audit Findings and Closure Time – Internal, customer, and Nadcap audit performance.
• Compliance to Aerospace Standards (e.g., AS9100, Nadcap) – Measured through audit scores and certification status.
• Supplier Quality Performance – Incoming inspection pass rate and supplier defect rate.
• Employee Development & Retention – Engineering team turnover rate and talent succession pipeline

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering required; master’s in metallurgical sciences preferred.
• 7+ years leading quality operations in aerospace or metal machining environments.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, Nadcap, and aerospace quality standards (SAE, ASTM, AMS, NASM, ANSI).
• Expertise in chemical processing, NDT, lab testing, and metallurgical practices.
• Proven success implementing and sustaining Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Skilled in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and industrial engineering principles.
• Proficient in quality tools: 8D, FMEA, SPC, CAPA, PPAP.
• Strong leadership and team development skills with a servant-leader mindset.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset and ability to manage shifting priorities.
• Proficient in MS Office and ERP systems; strong technical and mathematical aptitude.

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience with aerospace OEM specifications (e.g., Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin).
• Aerospace fasteners experience.