Aerospace Quality Director

Aerospace Quality Director

Location: Connecticut

Strativ's aerospace client is seeking an experienced Director of Quality to lead the development of quality systems, processes, and teams that will support the transition from prototype development to full-rate production. This is a rare opportunity to build the quality function at a high-growth aerospace company developing next-generation hardware in a fast-paced, engineering-driven environment.

The successful candidate will oversee quality across product development, manufacturing, supplier quality, and production readiness, establishing the systems and operational discipline required to deliver reliable, repeatable, and compliant production at scale.

Why This Opportunity Matters

• Build the quality organization from the ground up during a pivotal stage of company growth.
• Establish the quality systems and processes that enable scalable manufacturing, improved yields, and reduced production risk.
• Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing leadership to strengthen design transfer, production readiness, and process capability.
• Lead inspection, supplier quality, nonconformance management, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Influence how manufacturing processes are defined, controlled, and optimized as production volumes increase.
• Join a collaborative, fast-moving organization where quality directly impacts mission success, customer confidence, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's quality organization across manufacturing, supplier quality, and product quality.
• Develop and implement scalable quality management systems that support production growth.
• Establish inspection strategies, process controls, quality metrics, and manufacturing standards.
• Drive nonconformance management, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure robust product launches and production readiness.
• Develop supplier quality processes, monitor supplier performance, and resolve supplier-related quality issues.
• Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing quality team while fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Support production ramp activities and ensure compliance with applicable industry and customer requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Aerospace, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
• Extensive leadership experience in aerospace quality, manufacturing quality, supplier quality, or quality systems.
• Proven experience managing and developing quality organizations.
• Demonstrated success transitioning products or hardware programs from prototype into production.
• Experience designing or improving quality systems within a growing manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of inspection planning, statistical process controls, corrective action systems, and nonconformance management.
• Experience collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain organizations.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to meet applicable export control, security, confidentiality, or site access requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical field.
• ASQ certification or equivalent quality credential.
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI), process validation, control plans, PFMEA, APQP, or similar production quality methodologies.
• Background in high-growth aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing organizations.
• Experience building quality organizations during rapid production scale-up.

If you are interested in hearing more, please attach a resume, and we will be in touch.