Aerospace Quality Manager

Hytek Finishes Co.; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

401(k) matching

3 weeks paid time off to start

Tuition reimbursement

Onsite health services

Job summary

A prominent aerospace firm in Kent, WA is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead and enhance their Quality Management System (QMS). This critical role involves maintaining certifications, orchestrating audits, and mentoring staff. Candidates should have a strong background in aerospace manufacturing and a thorough understanding of quality standards such as AS9100. We offer a competitive salary of $100,000 – $138,000, accompanied by comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of AS9100, Nadcap, and FAR Part 145 requirements.
• Demonstrates understanding of processing and product quality.
• Read/Write/Communicate in English.

Responsibilities

• Maintain approvals, certifications, and registrations for the QMS.
• Schedule and host onsite audits with OEMs.
• Manage the corrective action system to ensure timely execution.

Skills

Monitoring and assessing performance

Problem-solving tools (5 Why’s, Fishbone, 8D)

Strong computer skills (MS Office)

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree or quality-related certification

7+ years of relevant work experience

Tools

ERP system experience (SyteLine preferred)

FAA Repairmen Certification

Job description

Hytek Finishes, a trusted leader in aerospace finishing and a proud part of the AS9100 and Nadcap community, is looking for an experienced Quality Manager to steward and elevate our Quality Management System (QMS). If you’re a seasoned quality professional with lead auditor experience and a passion for operational excellence in a highly regulated environment, this is a chance to own a critical function in a growing aerospace organization.

Title: Quality Manager

Reports to: VP of Engineering and Quality

Location: Kent, WA – onsite

Type: Exempt, Full‑time

Schedule: Monday – Friday day shift; ability to work occasionally during an off shift when needed

Salary Range for position: $100,000 – $138,000. The pay range and total compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other employees. Hytek is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) matching, Performance Share incentive compensation (Profit‑Sharing Plan)
• 3‑weeks paid time off to start, paid community service day, tuition reimbursement, parental leave
• Short‑term disability, long‑term disability, life insurance, long‑term care plan options, 10 paid holidays
• Onsite health services including access to a massage therapist

Role Overview

The Quality Manager is a critical role within the organization, supporting the VP of Engineering and Quality to maintain the Quality Management System (QMS). Manage staff and responsibilities relating to the maintenance and management of Hytek’s Quality Management System as it pertains to AS9100, Nadcap, FAA Repair Station, and OEM approvals. Establishes and modifies quality methods and procedures. Maintains documentation to reflect the effectiveness and efficiency of department activities. Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of job duties. This is a key development position for promotion to a senior leadership role within the company.

What We Offer

• Intentional career development toward senior‑level leadership with structured succession planning, deep executive mentorship, and expanded responsibilities calibrated to support growth toward a future role.
• Development of critical leadership and communications skills.
• Technical support from very collaborative staff that have been in the industry for 20+ years.
• True accountability and ownership of department performance and improvements.
• Upward mobility potential to senior leadership roles for motivated individuals with the right critical thinking, judgement, drive, ethics, and communications skills.
• Exposure to a broad range of business processes and opportunities.
• Continuing education benefits up to $5,250 annually toward coursework and/or CPE relative to this role.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has an entrepreneurial mindset, thinking and acting like an owner with a strong sense of urgency and bias for action.
• Is skilled in monitoring and assessing the performance of self, others, and teams to make improvements and take corrective action, creating a track record of successful leadership.
• Is comfortable with ambiguity and change, nimble and responsive in the short‑term while driving progress on longer‑term initiatives and process improvements to achieve strategic goals.
• Has emotional intelligence and is able to develop and foster a strong level of trust with leaders and employees of diverse backgrounds and situations.
• Is an exceptional communicator in both written and verbal interactions; clear, concise, and courageous in giving tough but supportive feedback when needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain approvals, certifications, and registrations as it pertains to the Hytek Quality Management System.
• Scheduling and hosting onsite audits with OEMs and third‑party registrars.
• Manage and maintain our capabilities and approvals listing.
• Managing and maintaining internal audits as well as approving the audit schedule year over year.
• Managing the corrective action system to ensure action plans are appropriate and responses are completed in a timely manner.
• Monitor QMS performance metrics such as Cost of Poor‑Quality data to identify trends and work with and/or support all levels of the organization to put plans in place to mitigate issues.
• Ensure the calibration system is managed and kept up to date, including all outside vendors that support or perform calibrations on our equipment.
• Ensure document control is managed and kept up to date, ensuring the most current revision levels are maintained and that our work instructions, processes, and procedures meet the latest requirements.
• Conduct employee performance reviews and performance planning.
• Maintain a high level of communication with operations and the supporting value stream managers to ensure awareness of quality‑related issues.
• Maintain open lines of communication with customers regarding quality‑related issues and concerns.
• Develop, maintain, administer, and/or support any quality‑related training within the business.
• Manage and support FAA Return to Service (8130’s).

Other responsibilities include:

• Support the VP of Engineering & Quality in determining fiscal year budget for the team and overall P&L review.
• Support the onboarding of new business through review of new processes and specifications.
• Manage continuous improvement and productivity initiatives for QMS processes.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of AS9100, Nadcap and FAR Part 145 requirements.
• Demonstrates an understanding of processing and product quality.
• Ability to understand and utilize problem‑solving tools (5 Why’s, Fishbone, 8D).
• Strong computer skills using MS Office products. ERP system experience desired; SyteLine experience preferred.
• FAA Repairmen Certification a plus.
• Internal or lead auditor training a plus.
• High degree of integrity with the ability to work with confidential employee information. Ability to document performance issues discreetly.
• Read/Write/Communicate in English.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre‑employment 5‑panel drug test.
• Position requires access to export‑controlled information and all applicants must satisfy U.S. export control regulations with authorization to work in the U.S. Non‑U.S. persons would require an export license in order to work in our facility.

Education/Previous Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or quality‑related certification preferred and 7+ years of relevant work experience desired; aerospace manufacturing or finishing experience preferred.
• Experience leading a quality team either directly or indirectly is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in Quality Management Systems.
• Successful experience working in a manufacturing environment and/or aerospace industry preferred.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, ISO‑9001, AC7108, aerospace finishing specifications and OEM quality requirements. ERP experience required; experience with Infob SyteLine a plus.
• Ability to receive Lead Auditor certification.

Essential Mental/Physical Demands

Extensive use of hands in writing, use of computer and other office equipment. Sitting for long periods of time in an office environment. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. on an occasional basis. Within the production environment, you may be occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and fumes from metal finishing chemicals. Temperatures in the production environment can fluctuate with outside weather conditions. Safety glasses may be required in certain areas of the production environment.

Application Process

Please apply at www.hytekfinishes.com/careers with an up‑to‑date resume and your current contact information. If you are a qualified candidate, we will set you up with a 30‑minute phone call with a recruiter to learn more about your experience and to tell you more about the job, compensation, and benefits. The recruiter will reach out should we move forward with the next steps.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Hytek Finishes is an equal opportunity employer. It is Hytek’s policy to make all employment decisions without regard to an individual’s sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race (including traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists), creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming), color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, age, veteran or military status, and any other categories protected by applicable state, local, or federal law.