Quality Manager

Discover your career's true potential at Advanced Programs Inc. (API), leaders in national security solutions since 1969! Join our dynamic, close-knit team, where innovation meets impact. Our agile, flexible work environment not only drives professional growth but also nurtures personal development. At API, you're not just an employee; you're part of a legacy where impactful contributions thrive in a vibrant, supportive setting. Elevate your career and experience the power of a small, collaborative team with big opportunities!

Embark on a mission with API – where innovation meets impact! Join us as we revolutionize national security, responding swiftly to customer needs, and forging ahead with cutting-edge solutions. At API, we don't just meet expectations; we exceed them, creating a legacy of success in the ever-evolving landscape of intelligence, defense, and foreign affairs. This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary!

SUMMARY

The Quality Manager leads and manages all aspects of the Quality Control and Quality Assurance functions across the organization. This role is responsible for establishing and maintaining quality standards, overseeing incoming, in-process, and final inspection of sheet metal, cable assemblies, electronic assemblies, subassemblies, custom parts, and components for conformance. The Quality Manager drives continuous improvement initiatives, manages the corrective action process, leads internal and external audits, and ensures ongoing compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and applicable customer and regulatory requirements. This position requires strong leadership skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and senior management to deliver world-class quality outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Leads, plans, and directs all Quality Control and Quality Assurance activities, including incoming, in-process, and final inspection of manufactured and procured products.
• Owns and maintains the company's ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, including scheduling and leading internal audits, management reviews, and coordinating external certification audits.
• Manages the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) process, ensuring timely root cause analysis, containment, corrective action implementation, and effectiveness verification.
• Develops, monitors, and reports key quality metrics (e.g., first pass yield, defect rates, supplier quality) to senior management, identifying trends and driving improvement actions.
• Leads and mentors a team of Quality Control Inspectors and Coordinators, including hiring, training, performance management, and workload planning.
• Oversee the Material Review Board (MRB) process for evaluating nonconforming material and disposition decisions.
• Establishes and maintains quality inspection plans, check sheets, and work instructions for all product lines and manufacturing processes.
• Applies statistical process control (SPC) and other quality engineering tools to analyze data, evaluate process capability, and drive continuous improvement.
• Manages supplier quality performance, including qualifying new suppliers, conducting supplier audits, and resolving quality escapes from vendors.
• Interfaces with customers regarding quality-related inquiries, complaints, and corrective action requests; serves as the primary quality point of contact for customer audits.
• Partners with Engineering and Operations to review new product designs, manufacturing processes, and process changes to ensure quality requirements are incorporated from the outset.
• Maintains current knowledge of government, industry, and customer-specific quality assurance codes and standards applicable to the business.
• Develops and manages the Quality department budget, including staffing, equipment, and calibration resources.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position carries full supervisory responsibility for the Quality department, including Quality Coordinators and QC Inspectors. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, directing work, evaluating performance, and resolving personnel matters in accordance with company policies.

TRAVEL

Up to 25%, including domestic travel for supplier audits, customer visits, and industry conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical field; or a minimum of 6-8 years of progressive quality experience in a manufacturing environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification strongly preferred. Must be proficient in ISO 9001:2015 standards and have demonstrated experience managing a QMS through external certification audits. Must be able to read and interpret assembly, and specification drawings and instructions. Proficiency with quality assurance tools such as calipers, torque screwdrivers, cable testers, and volt/ohm meters a plus. Experience with ERP systems and quality management software is a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, customer specifications, and regulatory documents. Ability to respond effectively to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, and the business community. Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and written reports to senior management, customers, and external auditors. Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to perform statistical analysis including SPC, process capability (Cp/Cpk), measurement system analysis (MSA/Gage R&R), and other quantitative quality methods. Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages and to develop and interpret control charts, Pareto diagrams, and other graphical representations of quality data.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define complex problems, collect and synthesize data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form. Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to balance near-term operational quality demands with long-term systemic improvement goals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Ignite your future with us and experience an unparalleled benefits package! Enjoy 401(k) with matching, where your future is our priority. Revel in affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance that won't break the bank. Our employee assistance program, exclusive discounts, flexible spending accounts, and company paid disability and life insurances add to the appeal. Take advantage of our generous paid time off while also investing in your growth with professional development support and tuition reimbursement. Join us and thrive with benefits that go beyond the ordinary!

API is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

The likely salary range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, API considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.