Quality Manager

Stevens Point, WI | Full-Time | On-Site

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to establish, implement, and scale the Quality Management System (QMS) for a growing aerospace propulsion manufacturing operation. This role begins as a highly technical individual contributor responsible for building the quality foundation during facility startup. As production transitions from New Product Introduction (NPI) to Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and ultimately Full-Rate Production (FRP), the position evolves into a leadership role responsible for developing and leading a high-performing quality organization.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring product integrity, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing excellence while partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to improve First Pass Yield (FPY), reduce defects, and build scalable quality systems that support long-term production growth.

Responsibilities:

• Establish and implement an AS9100-compliant Quality Management System (QMS) to support aerospace manufacturing operations.
• Develop quality processes that align engineering design intent, manufacturing capability, and customer requirements.
• Build and maintain systems for nonconforming material control, Material Review Board (MRB) activities, corrective actions, and configuration management.
• Develop supplier quality requirements, Approved Supplier List (ASL) processes, supplier audits, and quality flow-down requirements.
• Establish incoming inspection strategies utilizing Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL) methodologies.
• Develop and implement First Article Inspection (FAI) processes in accordance with AS9102 standards.
• Create and manage calibration systems, metrology programs, and measurement system controls.
• Lead Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) activities in collaboration with Engineering and Operations.
• Drive structured Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and 8D problem-solving initiatives to reduce defects and improve product quality.
• Develop quality metrics, defect tracking systems, yield analysis, and statistical reporting to improve First Pass Yield (FPY) and manufacturing performance.
• Build and lead the quality organization as production scales, including Supplier Quality Engineers, Manufacturing Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, and Metrology personnel.
• Manage customer quality concerns, containment activities, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace, customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements while supporting AS9100 certification readiness.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve manufacturability, production capability, and operational performance.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of quality leadership experience within aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience implementing or managing AS9100 Quality Management Systems or equivalent regulated quality systems.
• Experience supporting manufacturing organizations transitioning from New Product Introduction (NPI) into production environments.
• Strong knowledge of DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), 8D problem solving, inspection systems, and quality engineering methodologies.
• Experience with First Article Inspection (AS9102), configuration management (EIA-649-C), supplier quality, calibration systems, and metrology.
• Strong understanding of First Pass Yield (FPY), Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability (Cp/Cpk), and quality analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to build quality systems, processes, and teams from the ground up.
• Six Sigma certification required. Black Belt certification preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, project management, and analytical skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting aerospace propulsion systems, turbine engine manufacturing, or precision electromechanical assembly.
• Previous leadership experience managing Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Metrology, and Inspection teams.
• Experience preparing organizations for AS9100 certification audits.
• Knowledge of counterfeit parts prevention, traceability systems, and aerospace regulatory compliance.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives.
• Proven success improving production yield, reducing defects, and scaling quality organizations within startup or rapidly growing manufacturing environments.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to build the quality foundation for a next-generation aerospace manufacturing operation. You will have the chance to create scalable quality systems, develop a world-class quality organization, and directly influence the successful transition from prototype builds to full-rate production. Along with competitive compensation, this role offers bonus potential, equity participation, relocation assistance, and the opportunity to shape the future of an innovative aerospace manufacturing organization.