Quality Manager

About the role

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Engineering Leadership

• Direct the Quality Engineering team in developing detailed inspection plans, control procedures, and acceptance criteria for new and existing products
• Collaborate with the Engineering Manager during New Product Integration (NPI) to establish measurement requirements and inspection methodologies
• Oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) processes and documentation
• Oversee Material Review Board (MRB) and Champion NCR management processes
• Develop and implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies to monitor critical manufacturing processes
• Partner with engineering on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Inspection (DFI) initiatives
• Support Advanced Process Quality Planning (APQP) activities with quality engineering expertise
• Make recommendations for QMS improvements based on quality engineering findings and metrics

Measurement Systems Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of measurement methodologies for all manufactured components
• Establish and maintain Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) procedures and documentation
• Conduct comprehensive Measurement System Analysis (MSA) to ensure measurement integrity
• Develop and maintain verification and qualification processes for critical characteristics
• Oversee the company's calibration program, ensuring all measurement equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and documented
• Evaluate and implement new measurement technologies to improve accuracy and efficiency

Inspection Department Management

• Lead the Inspection department in executing in-process and final inspection procedures
• Develop and optimize inspection workflows that balance quality requirements with production throughput
• Create and maintain detailed inspection work instructions for complex components
• Manage the training and certification of inspection personnel on precision measurement techniques and equipment
• Ensure proper application of GD&T principles in inspection activities
• Track and analyze inspection results to identify trends and improvement opportunities

Nonconformance Management

• Establish and maintain processes for identifying, documenting, and dispositioning nonconforming products
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) activities to determine appropriate disposition of nonconforming items
• Ensure proper implementation of corrective actions for quality issues
• Analyze nonconformance data to identify trends and implement preventive measures
• Drive root cause analysis for quality issues and implement sustainable solutions

Supplier Quality Control

• Develop inspection requirements for externally sourced components and processes
• Establish measurement criteria for evaluating supplier-provided items
• Work with the Engineering Manager to address supplier quality issues from an inspection perspective
• Oversee incoming inspection procedures for purchased parts and materials

Customer Quality Interface

• Support customer source inspections and quality audits
• Provide measurement data and quality documentation to customers as required
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding measurement methods and inspection results
• Ensure compliance with all contractual quality requirements and specifications

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical field
• 7+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering within the defense or precision manufacturing industry
• 3+ years of management experience leading quality engineering and inspection teams
• Strong understanding of measurement systems, GD&T, and inspection methodologies
• Extensive experience with Gage R&R, MSA, and other measurement qualification techniques
• Demonstrated knowledge of precision measuring equipment including CMMs, optical comparators, and other advanced measurement systems
• Experience with statistical analysis techniques and SPC implementation
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities to work effectively across departments

Preferred

• ASQ certifications (CQE, CQT, or CCQE)
• Experience with defense industry quality requirements
• Background in precision firearms manufacturing or similar high-precision industries
• Experience with CMM programming and operation
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, or similar quality planning methodologies
• Familiarity with 3D scanning and other advanced measurement technologies

Work Environment:

• On-site position with regular presence in both office and manufacturing environments
• May require occasional travel to supplier and customer locations
• Will interact regularly with various departments including Engineering, Production, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain

Our company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic and innovative environment.