What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Manager position at Fortem Technologies?
Company Background
Fortem Technologies is the leader in airspace awareness, security, and defense for detecting and defeating dangerous drones. Through an advanced, end to end system of distributed radar, AI at the Edge, deep sensor integration, and autonomous drone capture, Fortem monitors and defends the world’s venues, infrastructures, cities, and regions. Fortem’s systems are accelerating the safety of the world’s airspace for urban air mobility.
Position Summary
Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing and Operations, the Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with AS9100D, and maintaining the highest standards across incoming, in-process, and outgoing product quality, and serving as a primary leader in the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
Primary Responsibilities
- Establish and oversee incoming inspection processes for electronic components, PCBs, and mechanical assemblies
- Develop supplier quality requirements and ensure adherence to specifications
- Manage supplier audits, scorecards, and corrective actions
- Lead and manage First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with AS9100D
- Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing to validate new product introductions, design changes, and process changes
- Oversee final inspection and product release processes to ensure compliance with customer requirements
- Serve as a QMS Leader, owning development and continuous improvement of the QMS
- Ensure full compliance with AS9100D and applicable regulatory requirements
- Lead internal and external audits, including customer and regulatory audits
- Ensure proper documentation, traceability, and configuration control prior to shipment
- Partner with production to ensure readiness for customer acceptance and delivery
- Support contract requirements, including flow-down of quality clauses to suppliers
- Establish and track KPIs (defect rates, yield, supplier performance, COPQ)
- Lead initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
- Drive a culture of quality and operational excellence
- Lead, mentor, and develop QA/QC team members
- Provide training on AS9100D, inspection standards, and quality procedures
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Program Management
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field
- 5–10 years of QA leadership experience in a hardware/electronics manufacturing environment
- Direct experience working in a DoD or defense contractor environment
- Deep working knowledge of AS9100D and audit processes
- Strong experience with: Incoming Quality Control (IQC), Outgoing Quality Control (OQC), First Article Inspection (FAI), Supplier Quality Management, and Root Cause Analysis & CAPA
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with PCBAs, RF systems, or aerospace/defense electronics
- Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt)
- Familiarity with configuration management and product lifecycle systems
- AS9100D Lead Auditor certification
Other Essentials and Key Success Factors
- Highest levels of professionalism, confidence, personal values, and ethical standards
- Leadership and accountability
- Attention to detail in high-reliability environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization