AS9100 Lead Auditor / Quality Systems Consultant

Sterling Engineering; Indiana (PA); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 179,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid schedule

Travel reimbursed

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking an AS9100 Certified Lead Auditor to support a leading aerospace manufacturer through an audit readiness initiative in Monticello, IN. The consultant will evaluate, strengthen, and prepare the QMS for AS9100 certification and surveillance audits.

The role involves partnering with leadership, process owners, and cross-functional teams to identify gaps, implement corrective actions, and ensure audit readiness with significant travel and remote work flexibility.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Quality Systems, QA, or quality auditing.
• Demonstrated experience leading internal audits and preparing organizations for AS9100 certification/surveillance.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 requirements, QMS compliance, CAPA, and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct AS9100 gap assessments and evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS.
• Identify compliance risks, quality system deficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead internal audits across manufacturing and supporting functions.
• Review and improve quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, records, and controlled documentation.
• Develop and drive corrective action plans, ensuring findings are addressed and closed.

Skills

AS9100 knowledge

Internal audits

QMS implementation

Documentation control

Stakeholder management

Job description

AS9100 Lead Auditor / Quality Systems Consultant

Location: Monticello, IN (Hybrid)

Duration: Contract | Through December 2026

Pay Rate: $100-$130/hr (Flexibility for exceptional candidates)

Travel: Travel, hotel, airfare, mileage, and business expenses reimbursed

Overview

Sterling Engineering is seeking an AS9100 Certified Lead Auditor to support a leading aerospace manufacturer through a critical audit readiness initiative. This consultant will play a key role in evaluating, strengthening, and preparing the organization's Quality Management System (QMS) for a successful AS9100 certification/surveillance audit.

This is a highly visible position working closely with leadership, process owners, and cross-functional teams to identify compliance gaps, implement corrective actions, and ensure overall audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Conduct AS9100 gap assessments and evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Quality Management System (QMS).
• Identify compliance risks, quality system deficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead internal audits across manufacturing and supporting business functions.
• Review and improve quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, records, and controlled documentation.
• Develop and drive corrective action plans, ensuring findings are addressed and closed effectively.
• Facilitate root cause analysis activities using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Support management reviews and quality performance reporting.
• Partner with site leadership to strengthen compliance, operational controls, and audit preparedness.
• Provide audit readiness coaching and training for employees and process owners.
• Prepare personnel for auditor interviews and review of objective evidence.
• Support external certification and surveillance audit activities through successful completion.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Quality Systems, Quality Assurance, Quality Engineering, or Quality Auditing.
• Demonstrated experience leading internal audits and preparing organizations for AS9100 certification or surveillance audits.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 requirements, QMS compliance, CAPA, and root cause analysis.
• Experience working within aerospace, aviation, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently while influencing teams across multiple functions.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Flexible hybrid schedule with significant remote work flexibility.
• Travel, lodging, airfare, mileage, and business expenses fully reimbursed.
• High-impact project with direct exposure to executive and site leadership.
• Opportunity to lead a major aerospace audit-readiness initiative from assessment through certification.
• Competitive hourly rate with flexibility for highly qualified candidates.

Note: Candidates with extensive aerospace quality systems experience, multiple successful AS9100 audit engagements, and a strong track record of certification readiness leadership may be considered above the posted pay range.