Pen Manufacturing is seeking a hands-on Quality Control Manager / Working Lead for our Anaheim manufacturing facility.
This is not a desk-only management position. This leader will work alongside the inspection team, personally perform inspections every day, resolve production quality issues, maintain our AS9100 quality system and supervise a small team of quality inspectors.
Key Responsibilities
Personally perform receiving, first-article, in-process and final inspections
Inspect sheet metal, welded and CNC-machined components
Read and interpret blueprints, technical specifications and GD&T
Use calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMMs and other precision measurement equipment
Lead, train and hold accountable a small team of quality inspectors
Manage NCRs, MRB, root-cause investigations, corrective actions and customer complaints
Maintain AS9100 procedures, documentation and audit readiness
Ensure compliance with customer requirements and applicable AS9100, AWS, ASME and ITAR standards
Maintain inspection records, material traceability and equipment calibration
Conduct internal audits and support registrar audits and customer visits
Monitor scrap, rework, first-pass yield and corrective-action performance
Work directly with production and engineering to resolve problems quickly
Improve inspection processes without unnecessarily slowing production or shipments
Train production employees on inspection requirements and quality procedures
Promote accountability and a strong quality culture throughout the plant
Required Qualifications
At least five years of manufacturing quality experience
At least two years leading inspectors or quality personnel
Strong hands-on dimensional inspection experience
Strong blueprint-reading and GD&T skills
Experience inspecting fabricated sheet metal or CNC-machined components
Working knowledge of AS9100, NCR, MRB, CAPA and root-cause processes
Experience supporting internal, customer and certification audits
Comfortable spending most of the workday on the production floor
Demonstrated employment stability and a history of staying in positions long enough to own results
Candidates with multiple positions lasting less than two years must clearly explain the circumstances behind each transition
Must be eligible to work with ITAR-controlled information
A degree is not required. Equivalent hands-on manufacturing and quality leadership experience will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Aerospace, defense or contract manufacturing experience
CMM programming or operating experience
Experience with AWS or ASME requirements
Familiarity with PPAP, FMEA, SPC or APQP
Lean, Six Sigma or ASQ certification
Experience using ERP or MRP quality modules
What Success Looks Like
Quality problems are identified and resolved before shipment
Inspectors are trained, productive and accountable
NCRs and corrective actions are closed promptly
Scrap, rework and customer complaints decline
AS9100 records remain accurate and audit-ready
Quality supports production speed and on-time delivery
Position Details
Full-time and onsite in Anaheim, California
Monday through Friday
Regular shop-floor presence, standing and walking
Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds
PPE and compliance with plant safety procedures required
Benefits available
This position is ideal for an experienced Quality Supervisor, Lead Quality Inspector or hands-on Quality Manager who wants to perform the work while leading the department.
Required Application Questions
List every employer from the past seven years, including your dates of employment and reason for leaving.
Have you held three or more positions lasting less than two years during the past seven years? If so, explain each transition.
What percentage of your current or most recent position was spent personally inspecting parts on the production floor?
Describe your experience inspecting sheet metal and CNC-machined components.
Describe your direct experience maintaining or supporting an AS9100 quality system.