Quality Manager

Job Description

The Quality Manager is responsible for the leadership, direction, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) across all programs, engineering services, and production efforts. This individual serves as the senior authority for quality assurance, compliance, and risk mitigation within a government-regulated environment. The role ensures full alignment with ISO, DoD, and internal quality standards, driving organizational excellence and operational discipline. The Quality Manager reports directly to executive leadership and provides enterprise-level visibility into quality performance and compliance readiness.

Essential Job Functions

• Quality System Leadership: Owns and maintains the organization’s Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 17025, AS9100, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Strategic Oversight: Leads development and execution of quality objectives, goals, strategies, and performance metrics to achieve continuous improvement across design, engineering, testing, and sustainment activities.
• Regulatory and Standards Compliance: Serves as the primary authority for interpreting and implementing quality standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Auditing and Certification: Leads internal and external audit readiness activities and manages certification and accreditation processes (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 17025).
• Process Improvement: Champions Lean, Six Sigma, and Root Cause/Corrective Action initiatives to eliminate waste, reduce nonconformities, and improve process capability.
• Supplier Quality Management: Oversees supplier qualification, audits, and performance reviews; ensures that supply chain partners adhere to quality and technical standards.
• Management Reviews: Prepares and delivers executive-level reports on QMS performance, audit outcomes, risk status, and key performance indicators.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with Program Management, Engineering, Procurement, and Contracts to ensure quality is built into all deliverables and lifecycle phases.
• Training and Culture: Develops and implements training programs to enhance quality awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement culture across the organization.
• Customer and Stakeholder Interface: Acts as the primary point of contact for customer quality representatives and regulatory bodies regarding inspections, audits, and issue resolution.
  
  

Other Job Functions

• Leads and mentors Engineers, Inspectors, and other team members on quality processes and policies.
• Develops and enforces document control and configuration management best practices.
• Supports risk management, design validation, and verification processes for new products and system upgrades.
• Participates in contract and proposal reviews to ensure quality requirements are adequately defined and budgeted.
• Performs other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned by leadership.
  
  

Experience And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related STEM field.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in Quality Management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience implementing or managing ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D, or ISO 17025 systems in a government or defense contracting environment.
• Strong background in corrective/preventive action, risk management, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and quality data analysis tools.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 19011:2018 Lead Auditor certification.
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with laboratory accreditation processes (ISO 17025).
• Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or high-reliability system programs.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to influence at all levels of the organization and drive a proactive quality culture.
• Analytical Thinking: Applies data-driven decision-making and process analytics to problem-solving.
• Communication: Strong executive presence, able to communicate complex quality issues clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Identifies systemic issues and implements long-term corrective actions.
• Accountability and Integrity: Maintains transparency, consistency, and rigor in all quality and compliance activities.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy and traceability in all documentation and reporting.
  
  

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

Environment: Office and laboratory settings, requiring occasional use of PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes).

Physical Demands: Ability to work on computers for extended periods and walk moderate distances within facility.

Travel: Up to 10% domestic travel may be required for audits, supplier visits, or customer engagement.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement
  
  

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

EEO Is The Law

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.