Quality Manager - Production

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: 8 years of experience leading a Quality group in a production or manufacturing environment. Experience doing so in an aerospace and/or defense organization preferred. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in a technical field.

Compensation: $145,000-$175,000 based on experience

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense.  Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies.  Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective.  We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.  

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary:

The Quality Manager oversees sustaining activities after a product is developed in the NPI process.  This role ensures maintaining and improving Product Quality Plans, PFMEAs, Control Plans, Incoming Inspections, In Process Inspections.  Change management with customer interaction and reporting is important.  This role manages engineers and technicians but is a working manager role.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.  Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.  Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities:    

• Maintain product quality documentation, including inspection plans, quality plans, PFMEAs, and control plans, to support the Quality Management System and ongoing risk management.
• Prepare First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) and support customer audits and quality reviews.
• Oversee incoming inspection activities to ensure raw materials, components, and purchased parts meet quality, documentation, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with suppliers, Supply Chain, and Engineering to resolve discrepancies, evaluate supplier changes, and address quality concerns.
• Oversee in-process and final inspection activities to ensure products conform to specifications and established quality requirements throughout manufacturing and prior to shipment.
• Support production teams in resolving quality issues, ensure inspection records and release documentation are accurately completed, and escalate nonconforming conditions as required.
• Maintain controlled quality records and documentation in compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements, including traceability and change-control documentation.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring quality documentation is accurate, current, and readily available.
• Manage the identification, segregation, disposition, and documentation of nonconforming material, ensuring timely resolution through MRB and NCR processes.
• Partner with Quality Engineering to drive corrective and preventive actions that improve product quality and prevent recurrence.
• Ensure compliance with cleanroom, ESD, and FOD prevention requirements by enforcing established procedures, contamination-control practices, and environmental standards.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate quality inspectors and technicians, maintain training and qualification records, and foster a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Experience / Capability:     

• Commitment to Excellence.  Attention to Detail.  Pride in Workmanship.    
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience in quality control, inspection, or manufacturing operations.
• Knowledge of inspection methods, measurement tools, and quality systems.
• Familiarity with cleanroom practices, ESD controls, and FOD prevention.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and manage multiple priorities.

Benefits Summary:  

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year 
• 11 paid Holidays 
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
• Tuition Assistance Program 
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents 
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% 
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting  

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at HR@nlightdefense.com.  

Salary : $145,000 - $175,000