Aerospace Quality Director

Strativ Group; Connecticut; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Strativ Group's aerospace client is seeking a Director of Quality to lead the development of quality systems, processes, and teams that will support the transition from prototype development to full-rate production. This is a rare opportunity to build the quality function at a high-growth aerospace company developing next‑generation hardware in a fast‑paced, engineering‑driven environment.

The successful candidate will oversee quality across product development, manufacturing, supplier quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Aerospace, or equivalent.
• Proven experience managing and developing quality organizations.
• Successful transition of products from prototype to production.
• Experience designing or improving quality systems in growing manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of inspection planning, SPC, corrective action systems, and nonconformance management.
• Experience collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead the quality organization across manufacturing, supplier quality, and product quality.
• Develop and implement scalable quality management systems to support production growth.
• Establish inspection strategies, process controls, quality metrics, and manufacturing standards.
• Drive nonconformance management, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to ensure robust launches and readiness.
• Develop supplier quality processes and monitor supplier performance.
• Build and grow a high-performing quality team with accountability and excellence.
• Support production ramp activities and ensure compliance with industry and customer requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Quality systems

Process improvement

Supplier quality

Design transfer

Production readiness

Cross-functional collaboration

Statistical process controls

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Aerospace

Job description

Strativ's aerospace client is seeking an experienced Director of Quality to lead the development of quality systems, processes, and teams that will support the transition from prototype development to full-rate production. This is a rare opportunity to build the quality function at a high-growth aerospace company developing next‑generation hardware in a fast‑paced, engineering‑driven environment.

The successful candidate will oversee quality across product development, manufacturing, supplier quality, and production readiness, establishing the systems and operational discipline required to deliver reliable, repeatable, and compliant production at scale.

Why This Opportunity Matters

• Build the quality organization from the ground up during a pivotal stage of company growth.
• Establish the quality systems and processes that enable scalable manufacturing, improved yields, and reduced production risk.
• Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing leadership to strengthen design transfer, production readiness, and process capability.
• Lead inspection, supplier quality, nonconformance management, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Influence how manufacturing processes are defined, controlled, and optimized as production volumes increase.
• Join a collaborative, fast-moving organization where quality directly impacts mission success, customer confidence, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's quality organization across manufacturing, supplier quality, and product quality.
• Develop and implement scalable quality management systems that support production growth.
• Establish inspection strategies, process controls, quality metrics, and manufacturing standards.
• Drive nonconformance management, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure robust product launches and production readiness.
• Develop supplier quality processes, monitor supplier performance, and resolve supplier‑related quality issues.
• Build, mentor, and grow a high‑performing quality team while fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Support production ramp activities and ensure compliance with applicable industry and customer requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Aerospace, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
• Proven experience managing and developing quality organizations.
• Demonstrated success transitioning products or hardware programs from prototype into production.
• Experience designing or improving quality systems within a growing manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of inspection planning, statistical process controls, corrective action systems, and nonconformance management.
• Experience collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain organizations.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to meet applicable export control, security, confidentiality, or site access requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical field.
• ASQ certification or equivalent quality credential.
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI), process validation, control plans, PFMEA, APQP, or similar production quality methodologies.
• Background in high‑growth aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing organizations.
• Experience building quality organizations during rapid production scale‑up.