Quality Manager

Job DetailsJob Location: Wichita, KS 67211SUMMARY

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the quality management system and driving a proactive, process-driven quality culture within a regulated aerospace manufacturing environment. This role focuses on reducing defects at the source, improving overall quality performance, and ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The Quality Manager partners closely with operations, engineering, and customers to enhance processes, implement meaningful metrics, and maintain certification standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Lead transformation of the quality system from inspection-based to process-driven, eliminating defects at the source through proactive quality integration
Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality systems, processes, and procedures to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements
Establish and manage quality performance metrics, including scrap, rework, first pass yield, cost of quality, and customer escapes, driving measurable improvement
Integrate quality metrics into ERP systems and ensure visibility, accuracy, and organizational adoption across departments
Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action efforts to eliminate recurring issues and improve overall product quality
Partner with engineering and operations to ensure quality is embedded into production processes, program planning, and execution
Oversee in-process and final inspections to ensure products meet defined quality standards
Lead and manage the quality team, including performance management, training, development, and organizational planning
Maintain NADCAP and other relevant certifications, ensuring audit readiness and successful completion of internal, external, and customer audits
Serve as the primary customer interface for quality, supporting audits, resolving issues, and maintaining strong working relationships
Ensure effective communication and collaboration across departments to support quality objectives and continuous improvement initiatives
QualificationsKNOWLEDGE

Aerospace quality systems, standards, and regulatory requirements
NADCAP and certification maintenance processes
Process improvement methodologies and quality system development
Root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA)
Statistical process control (SPC) and quality metrics
ERP systems and data-driven performance tracking
Audit processes, including internal, external, and customer audits

COMPETENCIES

Strategic leadership with strong execution capability
Ability to drive organizational change and process improvement
Analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making
Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
Effective communication across all levels of the organization
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and gain buy-in
High level of accountability, ownership, and quality mindset

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

High school diploma or equivalent required
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field preferred
15+ years of experience in aerospace or related manufacturing environment
Extensive experience leading quality systems and continuous improvement initiatives
Experience with NADCAP and maintaining certification standards required
Experience with SPC programs, ERP systems, and data analysis tools preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS

Combination of office and production floor environment
Frequent interaction with operations, engineering, customers, and leadership
Standard business hours with additional time required during audits or critical production periods
Frequent use of computers, reporting systems, and quality tools

WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
If a Security Clearance is required:

Candidates "must/may need" to be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
Successful candidates must be able to secure Program Access approval