Quality Engineering Manager

The Quality Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing all manufacturing quality assurance activities for precision machined parts, welded fabrications, and complex assemblies, particularly within strict defense industry standards like AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and DFARS.

This role drives continuous improvement, ensures product quality and compliance, reduces risk, and promotes a strong culture of quality. It involves supporting an effective quality management system (QMS) to drive consistent production, reduce waste, and meet established standards. Additionally, the Quality Engineering Manager builds and leads teams focused on manufacturing, customer satisfaction, defect reduction, and improving overall organizational and financial performance.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable defense/customer-specific requirements.
• Ensure adherence to ITAR, DFARS, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Supports the development of procedures, instructions, and forms for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality related information in the Quality Management System (e.g., SOPs, work instructions).
• Supports control processes for high-precision machined parts, weldments, and assemblies.
• Ensure compliance with engineering drawings, GD&T, and customer specifications.
• Manage First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102 requirements.
• Develop and manage the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
• Conduct supplier audits and performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with procurement to ensure supplier quality standards are met.
• Drive supplier corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage MRB (Material Review Board) processes and disposition of non-conforming material.
• Track and ensure timely and accurate reporting of quality performance metrics (CoPQ, defects, escapes) and implement improvement plans.
• Lead, mentor, and develop quality engineers, inspectors, and technicians.
• Establish performance goals, training programs, and career development plans.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and compliance.
• Support customer audits, source inspections, and corrective action requests.
• Lead initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce defects, and improve product quality.
• Integrate APQP/AS9145 and risk-based thinking into the broader Quality Management System processes.
• Formulates and maintains quality control objectives and coordinates objectives with production procedures in cooperation with other plant managers to maximize product reliability and minimize costs.
• Serves as the primary quality resource for problem identification, resolution, loss reporting and continuous improvement.
• Leads root-cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone) and other problem-solving activities to identify effective corrective and preventative actions and process improvements.
• Interacts with customers to identify opportunities to improve quality and establish feedback with manufacturing and engineering personnel.
• Supports quality and reliability standards by studying product and consumer requirements with other members of management and with production operators, technicians, and engineers.
• Oversees and supports standards for the disposition of finished product by devising evaluation tests, methods, and procedures.
• Maintains product quality by enforcing quality assurance policies and procedures and government requirements.
• Work to reduce and eliminate barriers and obstacles to improve overall cost and scheduling performance
• Your leadership is expected to make it easier for employees to make quality products and make it easier for customers to do business with GSM.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for creating a professional, safe, and clean environment evidenced by being at work on time to perform assigned duties, following the policies of Granite State Manufacturing, always wearing safety glasses in designated areas, maintaining a neat and orderly work area, and following safety practices to prevent errors.
• Demonstrates commitment to teamwork by establishing effective relationships and networks with both managers/directors and workers and collaborating with them to accomplish shared purposes and goals.
• Abides by GSM Code of Ethics and Business Conduct standards and strictly observes all U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.