Head of Testing and Calibration

AirQ; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Q Limited in Abu Dhabi seeks Head of Testing & Calibration to establish and lead the Testing & Calibration function within the AIT division. You will build the team, set testing and calibration processes, and ensure readiness ahead of production line go-live.

Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, Production and external partners to meet technical and quality requirements, implement ISO 9001/AS9100 controls, and drive continuous improvement through rework and defect resolution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in testing, quality, calibration, or technical leadership.
• Experience within aerospace, defense, UAV, aviation, or other regulated manufacturing environments is highly preferred.
• Proven experience in establishing, building, or scaling a testing and calibration function.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional engineering activities.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 quality management systems.
• Quality or calibration certifications, such as ISO 9001/AS9100 Internal Auditor, are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the Testing & Calibration function.
• Recruit and develop key team members, including the Testing & Calibration Lead and Production Testing Engineer.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, processes, and performance standards for the testing team.
• Monitor and report testing readiness, throughput, quality, and performance metrics to the VP of AIT.
• Own overall test and calibration readiness ahead of production line and facility go-live.
• Establish standardized testing, inspection, calibration, and integration checkout procedures.
• Define requirements and standards for test rigs, test equipment, and associated systems.
• Ensure all testing and measurement equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and traceable.
• Establish and manage effective rework, repair, and defect-resolution workflows.
• Ensure testing activities support production targets while maintaining quality and reliability.
• Ensure testing and calibration processes comply with applicable quality and industry standards.
• Implement and maintain robust quality controls across testing activities.
• Support compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, and other relevant quality management requirements.
• Work with quality and regulatory teams during audits and corrective-action activities.
• Monitor defect and quality escape rates and drive continuous improvement.
• Work closely with R&D and Engineering teams to establish and align test criteria during product handover.
• Coordinate with Production, Integration, and other AIT functions to ensure smooth testing workflows.
• Identify test equipment and facility requirements based on product and production needs.
• Support technical problem-solving and root-cause analysis for test failures and quality issues.
• Coordinate with test equipment suppliers and calibration laboratories.
• Liaise with certification, regulatory, and quality auditing bodies when required.
• Manage technical coordination with external engineering and testing partners.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related Engineering

Tools

Test rigs

Calibration management

Quality documentation

Job description

Air Q Limited is seeking an experienced Head of Testing & Calibration to establish, lead, and oversee the Testing & Calibration function within our Assembly, Integration & Testing (AIT) division.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building the testing team, establishing test and calibration processes, ensuring test readiness ahead of production line launch, and driving effective rework and quality processes. This role will work closely with R&D, Engineering, Production, and external testing and calibration partners to ensure products meet defined technical and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Function Development

• Build and lead the Testing & Calibration function.
• Recruit and develop key team members, including the Testing & Calibration Lead and Production Testing Engineer.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, processes, and performance standards for the testing team.
• Monitor and report testing readiness, throughput, quality, and performance metrics to the VP of AIT.

Testing & Calibration

• Own overall test and calibration readiness ahead of production line and facility go-live.
• Establish standardized testing, inspection, calibration, and integration checkout procedures.
• Define requirements and standards for test rigs, test equipment, and associated systems.
• Ensure all testing and measurement equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and traceable.
• Establish and manage effective rework, repair, and defect-resolution workflows.
• Ensure testing activities support production targets while maintaining quality and reliability.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure testing and calibration processes comply with applicable quality and industry standards.
• Implement and maintain robust quality controls across testing activities.
• Support compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, and other relevant quality management requirements.
• Work with quality and regulatory teams during audits and corrective-action activities.
• Monitor defect and quality escape rates and drive continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D and Engineering teams to establish and align test criteria during product handover.
• Coordinate with Production, Integration, and other AIT functions to ensure smooth testing workflows.
• Identify test equipment and facility requirements based on product and production needs.
• Support technical problem-solving and root-cause analysis for test failures and quality issues.

External Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with test equipment suppliers and calibration laboratories.
• Liaise with certification, regulatory, and quality auditing bodies when required.
• Manage technical coordination with external engineering and testing partners.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related Engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in testing, quality, calibration, or technical leadership.
• Experience within aerospace, defense, UAV, aviation, or other regulated manufacturing environments is highly preferred.
• Proven experience in establishing, building, or scaling a testing and calibration function.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional engineering activities.
• Strong understanding of test rigs, test equipment, calibration processes, and rework/repair workflows.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 quality management systems.
• Quality or calibration certifications, such as ISO 9001/AS9100 Internal Auditor, are an advantage.

Technical Skills

• Test and measurement systems
• Test rig development and management
• Calibration management and traceability
• Production testing and integration checkout
• Quality control and defect management
• Rework and repair processes
• Root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• ISO 9001 / AS9100 quality principles
• Technical documentation and process development
• Cross-functional engineering coordination

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
• Highly methodical and quality-focused approach
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills
• Ability to establish processes in a growing and fast-paced environment
• Strong ownership and accountability
• Ability to work effectively across R&D, Engineering, Production, Quality, and Operations

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Completion of Testing & Calibration Lead / Engineer hiring according to plan
• Test and calibration readiness ahead of production go-live
• Testing throughput and operational readiness
• Quality escape / defect rate below 3%
• R&D-to-Testing alignment and handover cycle time
• Calibration compliance and equipment readiness
• Effectiveness of rework and defect-resolution processes