Director of Quality Control and Customer Satisfaction

Position Summary

Blue Ops is building next-generation unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for defense and national security applications. Our products operate in mission-critical environments where reliability is not optional—and failure is unacceptable.

As a President-led organization with deep roots in the Hinckley family boatbuilding legacy, we are committed to delivering vessels that meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, performance, and reliability.

We are seeking a Director of Quality Control & Customer Satisfaction to take full ownership of product quality from production through final delivery to the end user.
This role exists to ensure two non-negotiable outcomes:

1. Every vessel delivered meets or exceeds the expectations set during the sales process.
2. Every vessel reflects the Hinckley standard of excellence—fit, finish, reliability, and performance

This position operates independently from production and reports directly to the President of Blue Ops.
You are the final line of defense before a vessel reaches the warfighter.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure all delivered vessels are defect-free, mission-ready, and reliable in real-world conditions
• Build and enforce a quality validation system independent of production
• Protect the lives of end users by eliminating preventable failures

Independent Quality Oversight

• Establish and lead a standalone quality control function separate from production
• Monitor all vessels in build and validate quality at each critical stage
• Develop inspection gates, acceptance criteria, and sign-off authority prior to delivery
• Audit production processes without bias or influence

Product Validation & Delivery Excellence

• Own final pre-delivery inspection (PDI) and acceptance process
• Ensure vessels meet contractual, internal, and craftsmanship standards
• Personally validate readiness for delivery to military end users

Customer Satisfaction & Field Feedback Loop

• Serve as senior point of contact for customer quality and delivery concerns
• Interface with military users to ensure expectations are met
• Build feedback systems from real-world performance

Defect Prevention & Continuous Improvement

• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Proactively eliminate recurring issues
• Partner with engineering and production while maintaining independence

Team Building & Organizational Development

• Build a world-class quality and service organization
• Transition into leading service and support
• Hire and develop your successor

Required Qualifications

• 20 years of boatbuilding experience
• Background with high-end builders (Hinckley, Viking, or similar)
• Deep understanding of marine systems and build processes
• Proven executive judgment and autonomy
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Willingness to travel, 25%-50%

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to walk, stand, and navigate large indoor and outdoor facilities for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and equipment weighing up to 25 lbs on a regular basis.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required in designated areas or when performing specific tasks, in accordance with safety protocols and company policy.
• May be required to climb ladders, stoop, kneel, or crouch during inspections, maintenance walk-throughs, or emergency response situations.
• Regular exposure to facility operations including noise, dust, temperature fluctuations, and industrial equipment.
• Occasional off-hours or weekend work required for emergency facility responses or projects as needed
• Requires frequent use of a computer and other standard office equipment for documentation, communication, and coordination tasks.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Compensation: Base pay, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.