Quality Manager

Job Title: Quality Manager

Location: Fully Onsite in Farmington CT

Type: Direct Hire

Salary: $160-180K DOE Plus Bonus and Excellent Benefits

Summary

The Quality Manager leads the Quality organization across multiple facilities to ensure best-in-class performance, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. This role is responsible for the oversight and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring alignment with customer, FAA, industry, and company requirements.

Partnering closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Leadership, the Quality Manager establishes and maintains quality processes, standards, and controls that support production and drive defect prevention, risk mitigation, and cost-of-quality reduction. The role also ensures audit readiness, contract review compliance, and the development of a strong quality culture through effective training, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

Quality Management System (QMS) Ownership & Governance

• Serve as the management representative responsible for ensuring the Quality Management System (QMS) is established, implemented, maintained, and reported in accordance with applicable standards and customer requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), program instructions, and quality processes.
• Proactively design and maintain robust systems to control all factors that may impact product or service quality.
• Maintain required records and documentation to ensure effective operational control and regulatory compliance.
• Recommend and communicate organizational policies and procedures aligned with industry best practices.

Quality Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Direct and manage quality team functions including inspection, material review board (MRB), final inspection, and related quality activities to support production.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership to manufacturing and engineering teams on quality initiatives.
• Interface with production personnel to address quality matters and ensure customer and compliance requirements are consistently met.
• Identify and promote cross-training opportunities to strengthen team capability and performance.
• Balance compliance requirements with operational and business objectives to support overall company performance.

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external audits, including audit preparation, execution, and corrective action follow-up.
• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry standards.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure adherence to OSHA, environmental, and health and safety regulations.

Customer & Contract Review

• Conduct technical reviews of customer contracts, specifications, and data packages to ensure quality and inspection requirements are clearly defined and achievable.
• Provide input on inspection methods and acceptance criteria.
• Communicate program status, risks, issues, and quality performance to leadership and key stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze quality and operational data to assess performance, identify trends, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead and participate in Kaizen and Lean improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties within the scope and skill level of the role to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in quality and/or manufacturing engineering within a regulated industry, including aerospace.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing quality teams (inspection, MRB, final inspection, etc.).
• Demonstrated ownership of a Quality Management System (QMS), including implementation, maintenance, and reporting.
• Experience supporting or leading compliance to one or more of the following standards: AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, NADCAP, PPAP, FAA regulations.
• Proven experience leading internal and external audits, including corrective action development and closure.
• Strong background in contract review, technical specification interpretation, and inspection method development.
• Experience leading structured continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methodologies).
• Strong analytical capability with demonstrated ability to interpret data, identify trends, mitigate risk, and drive corrective/preventive actions.
• Working knowledge of NDT processes, mechanical testing methods, calibration systems, and supplier quality controls.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing ERP systems (JobBOSS or similar).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate risks, performance metrics, and program status to leadership and customers.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams, balance compliance with operational objectives, and lead without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or Business-related discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Extensive hands-on experience managing AS9100-certified QMS within aerospace manufacturing.
• Experience interacting directly with customers and regulatory bodies during audits and corrective action processes.
• Experience scaling quality systems to support growth, new contracts, or new product introduction.