Quality Assurance Lead

Position Overview

The CM/QA Lead will establish and maintain enterprise-wide configuration management and quality assurance systems across all programs, ensuring compliance with defense industry standards while providing independent oversight of quality processes. This dual role integrates configuration control with quality management for optimal process efficiency and removes conflicts of interest by providing independent quality oversight across multiple production contracts, UAS programs, and prototype development efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

• Configuration Management
• Establish and implement company-wide CM policies, procedures, and standards across all programs
• Develop and maintain configuration management plans (CMPs) for all active programs including production contracts, UAS systems, and prototype development
• Create and manage configuration baselines for hardware, software, firmware, and documentation Implement change control processes including change request evaluation, approval workflows, and implementation tracking 
• Establish configuration identification schemes and naming conventions across all product lines 
• Manage configuration status accounting and reporting systems Coordinate configuration control between multiple concurrent programs
• Ensure traceability between requirements, design documents, test procedures,
• and deliverables

Quality Management System

• Implement, and maintain quality management system (QMS) in accordance with AS9100/ISO 9001 standards
• Enforce quality policies, procedures, and work instructions for all operational areas
• Coordinate with Lead Supplier Quality Engineer on supplier quality programs and performance
• Provide strategic oversight of supplier quality activities and integration with enterprise QMS
• Conduct internal quality audits and coordinate external certification audits
• Oversee corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes
• Manage customer quality requirements and quality deliverables
• Maintain AS9100 certification and ensure continuous compliance

Enterprise Quality Oversight & Independent Review

• Provide independent quality oversight across all programs including production contracts, UAS division, and prototype development
• Establish independent review processes to eliminate conflicts of interest in quality oversight
• Conduct quality reviews of program management decisions and technical deliverables
• Establish inspection and test procedures for in-process work and final products
• Manage measurement and test equipment calibration programs
• Oversee first article inspection (FAI) and production acceptance testing processes
• Coordinate with manufacturing on process controls and statistical process control implementation
• Manage nonconformance identification, disposition, and corrective action processes
• Establish customer notification and quality reporting procedures

Process Integration & Compliance

• Integrate CM and QA processes for maximum efficiency and enterprise-wide compliance
• Conduct configuration audits (functional and physical) and quality system audits
• Establish metrics and reporting systems to track both CM effectiveness and quality performance
• Interface with program management to ensure CM/QA processes support program requirements without conflicts of interest
• Support proposal activities by developing integrated CM/QA approaches for new business opportunities
• Manage regulatory compliance requirements (ITAR, DFARS, customer-specific quality requirements)
• Ensure compliance with government contracting quality standards (DCMA oversight)

Data & Documentation Management

• Oversee product data management (PDM) system implementation and maintenance
• Manage engineering drawing release, revision control, and quality record retention processes
• Establish document control procedures for technical publications, specifications, and quality documentation
• Coordinate with IT on data backup, security, access control, and quality record archival requirements
• Ensure document control meets both CM and quality management system requirements
• Maintain integrated configuration status accounting and quality metrics reporting systems

Strategic Quality Leadership & Customer Interface

• Lead customer-facing quality discussions and quality system presentations
• Serve as primary quality authority for major customer audits and assessments
• Develop enterprise quality strategy and long-term quality improvement initiatives
• Coordinate quality activities between internal programs and supplier quality function
• Establish quality metrics and KPIs for enterprise-wide performance measurement
• Lead quality system improvements and process optimization initiatives
• Interface with senior customer quality personnel on strategic quality matters
• Manage quality aspects of business development and proposal activities

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related technical field
• 12-18 years combined experience in configuration management and quality management in defense/aerospace industry
• Experience establishing CM/QA processes in small-to-medium organizations
• Demonstrated experience with independent quality oversight and audit functions
• Background in both hardware and software configuration and quality management
• Experience with multiple concurrent program management from CM/QA perspective

Defense Industry Experience

• Experience with defense acquisition programs and DoD standards (MIL-STD- 973, DoD-STD-480, AS9100)
• Knowledge of DCMA oversight requirements and government quality expectations
• Familiarity with ITAR compliance and export control requirements
• Experience with defense contractor quality management and government audits
• Understanding of government contracting quality requirements (FAR/DFARS)

Technical Requirements

• Knowledge of CM tools (PLM systems, version control software) and QA tools (statistical analysis, measurement systems)
• Experience with quality management system implementation and maintenance
• Strategic quality system design and enterprise-wide process development
• Familiarity with systems integration and prototype development environments
• Understanding of statistical process control and measurement system analysis
• Experience integrating with specialized quality functions (supplier quality, manufacturing quality)
• Experience with AS9100 certification and maintenance
• Customer-facing quality leadership and presentation capabilities

Certifications & Compliance

• Professional certifications required:
  • CM: CMMI, INCOSE CSEP, or Configuration Management certification preferred
  • QA: CQE, CQA, ASQ certifications, or Lead Auditor certification preferred
• AS9100 Lead Auditor certification strongly preferred
• Active Secret security clearance preferred
• Knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality management systems

Leadership & Management Skills

• Experience managing dual-discipline teams (CM and QA personnel) including coordination with supplier quality functions
• Strong audit and compliance management experience
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills for independent quality assessments
• Strategic thinking and enterprise-wide process development capabilities
• Ability to establish and maintain enterprise-wide processes across multiple programs
• Strong customer interface and presentation skills for quality leadership roles
• Experience with conflict resolution and independent oversight responsibilities
• Ability to provide objective quality assessments without operational bias
• Experience coordinating with specialized quality functions (supplier quality, manufacturing quality, etc.)

Independence & Objectivity

• Demonstrated ability to provide independent oversight and objective quality assessments
• Experience establishing segregation of duties for quality oversight functions
• Strong ethical foundation for independent quality and configuration management
• Ability to escalate quality issues appropriately without operational conflicts of interest
• Experience managing quality processes independently from program execution

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAS/drone systems or ground combat platforms
• Previous experience in defense contracting environment with multiple concurrent programs
• Master's degree in Engineering or Quality Management
• Experience with integrated product teams (IPT) and matrix organizations
• Background in prototype development and production transition quality management
• Experience with electrical/mechanical systems integration quality oversight
• Knowledge of cybersecurity compliance requirements for defense systems

Key Success Metrics

• Maintenance of AS9100 certification without major nonconformance
• Successful completion of customer CM/QA deliverables on schedule
• Reduction in engineering change cycle time through improved processes
• Decreased configuration discrepancies during audits
• Improved first-pass inspection rates and reduced nonconformance costs
• Customer quality rating improvements
• Successful establishment of independent quality oversight processes
• Implementation of integrated CM/QA processes across all programs

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation of $150,000 annually (15-20% premium over single-discipline positions due to dual role complexity), plus comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities.
• Security clearance assistance available for qualified candidates.

Reporting Structure

Reports directly to COO. Provides functional oversight to embedded CM/QA personnel across all programs while maintaining independence from program execution responsibilities. Coordinates with Lead Supplier Quality Engineer on supplier quality integration and enterprise QMS alignment. Matrix coordination with Program Management Director for resource allocation and planning.