Aerospace Manufacturing Quality Manager

RTCA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Shift differentials

Job summary

RTCA, a precision aerospace and defense manufacturing group, seeks a Quality Manager to lead the quality function at the Chatsworth, CA site. You will drive AS9100 compliance, audit readiness, and product conformance while mentoring the quality team and partnering with customers and suppliers.

This onsite role requires hands‑on leadership, CPC/CAPA, and strong communication to ensure on‑time delivery and high standards across complex flight‑critical programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years quality experience in aerospace or precision CNC machining.
• 3+ years in a quality supervisory/management role.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and QMS management.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the QMS in compliance with AS9100 and customer/regulatory requirements.
• Lead Quality dept including inspection, CMM, and quality engineering.
• Plan and lead internal audit program and support customer, registrar, and regulatory audits.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (RCCA/CAPA).
• Manage nonconforming material and MRB activities; ensure timely dispositions.
• Partner with Supply Chain on supplier approval, performance monitoring, and corrective action.
• Establish and report quality metrics to leadership; communicate risks and priorities.
• Promote quality at the source and operator ownership on the shop floor.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Audits

Quality management

Root cause analysis

CMM inspection

ERP/MRP

GD&T

Staff coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Quality

Tools

CMM software

Job description

Aerospace Manufacturing Quality Manager

QUALITY ENGIN. SALARIED Full Time - Employee Management Chatsworth, Chatsworth, CA, US

RTCA is a precision aerospace and defense manufacturing group built on decades of hands‑on machining expertise, with roots spanning more than 50 years. We support mission‑critical commercial and government aerospace programs across North America through four U.S. Centers of Excellence operating as an integrated platform with 200+ CNC machines and a team of 500+ professionals.

Unlike large organizations where roles can be narrow, RTCA offers hands‑on ownership and real visibility – you understand how your work supports the team, the operation, and the end customer. Our flat structure allows employees to take initiative, grow their skills, and have their contributions recognized, while still providing the stability, advanced technology, and meaningful work of an established aerospace manufacturer.

At RTCA, we believe in teamwork, excellence, and delivering with pride. One Team! One Mission!

How You’ll Make an Impact:

The Quality Manager leads the Quality function for a complex aerospace CNC precision machining operation on flight‑critical commercial and defense programs. This role leads the site’s quality system and quality team, with a strong focus on audit readiness, customer compliance, and product conformance. The Quality Manager is a hands‑on leader who strengthens systems and accountability, drives continuous improvement, and partners closely with customers and cross‑functional teams to protect quality and on‑time delivery. Depending on current company structure, this role reports to enterprise‑level quality leadership or the site leader.

What you’ll be doing as a Quality Manager:

• Working a full‑time onsite position at our Chatsworth, CA location.
• Own and maintain the QMS in compliance with AS9100, customer, and regulatory requirements, ensuring processes are established, documented, followed, and effective.
• Lead the Quality department, including inspection, CMM, and quality engineering; set clear expectations, coach and develop the team, and manage staffing, priorities, and performance.
• Plan and lead the internal audit program; host and support customer, registrar, and regulatory audits, and drive findings to timely, effective closure.
• Lead clean‑up and remediation projects to correct legacy QMS, documentation, and process gaps, tracking actions through to verified closure.
• Manage nonconforming material and Material Review Board (MRB) activities, ensuring timely dispositions, accurate records, and scrap/rework cost reporting.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (RCCA/CAPA) for internal, supplier, and customer escapes, and submit customer‑formatted responses on time and to a high standard.
• Serve as the primary quality point of contact for customers; manage customer‑specific requirements, flowdowns, quality portals and scorecards, and quality clause review on contracts and purchase orders.
• Oversee First Article Inspection (AS9102), in‑process and final inspection, and CMM programming and inspection priorities to support on‑time delivery without compromising conformance.
• Ensure calibration, gage control, and measurement system capability are maintained across inspection and CMM equipment.
• Partner with Supply Chain on supplier approval, performance monitoring, and supplier corrective action, including authority to approve or disapprove suppliers per the QMS.
• Establish and report quality metrics (e.g., escapes, internal defects, cost of poor quality, audit findings, CAPA aging, and quality on‑time delivery) and communicate status, risks, and priorities to site and enterprise leadership.
• Promote quality at the source and operator ownership on the shop floor, including training, certified operator, FOD prevention, and counterfeit parts prevention programs as applicable.
• Support quality planning for new programs and parts, including review of engineering changes, PFMEA, and control plans as applicable.
• Use the division’s ERP/MRP system to manage quality records, inspection data, and nonconformance tracking, and work with enterprise quality to align processes across divisions.
• Take on tasks outside normal duties when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications (Education, skills and experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related field, OR equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of quality experience in aerospace or precision CNC machining manufacturing, including at least 3 years in a quality supervisory or management role.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, with the ability to maintain a QMS and lead internal, customer, and registrar audits.
• Experience managing nonconforming material/MRB, root cause analysis, and corrective action (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, fishbone).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), customer specifications, and flowdown requirements.
• Working knowledge of inspection methods, First Article Inspection (AS9102), CMM inspection, and calibration/gage control.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and hold a team accountable, and to drive improvement and clean‑up projects to closure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work professionally and confidently with demanding customers, suppliers, and auditors.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office.
• Reliable, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, skills and experience):

• Experience with GlobalShop, JobBOSS, or JobBOSS² ERP systems.
• Experience with CMM inspection software (e.g., PC‑DMIS, Calypso, or similar).
• ASQ certification (e.g., CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE) or AS9100 lead auditor training.
• Experience leading QMS remediation, audit recovery, or quality turnaround efforts.
• Familiarity with AS9145 (APQP/PPAP), AS13100, NADCAP special processes, and ITAR/export compliance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Choice of medical plan options, including a no‑cost employee‑only coverage plan
• HSA‑eligible health plan with employer contributions
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Long‑term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with up to a 6% QACA company match
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and nine (9) paid company holidays
• Shift differentials for applicable off‑shifts
• Discretionary bonus programs based on position and company performance

The Quality Manager Compensation range for onsite California applicants is $145-155k commensurate with experience. Some shifts may include shift differential pay rates. Other site ranges may differ.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required.

RTCA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants wishing to receive information on RTCA’s Affiantive Action Plans, or those requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, should contact the RTCA Human Resources Department. Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to access or use our career center due to a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources.

Candidates will receive consideration without discrimination in accordance with Article 9, Chapter XVIII of the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code and applicable federal, state, and local laws.