Director of Quality Assurance

Karman Space & Defense; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Seattle seeks a Director of Quality, Defense to oversee all quality activities, personnel, systems, and performance for Defense programs across multiple sites. You will lead the Defense Quality Engineering organization and ensure AS9100 and customer requirements are met with strategic, clear quality plans.

The role partners with the Enterprise Director of Quality to unify QMS across sites, drive disciplined execution, and push continuous improvement in product integrity

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical field.
• 10 years of aerospace/defense quality experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and Defense customer quality standards.
• Quality Engineering experience with complex programs including design.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage the Quality Engineering team supporting all Defense programs and projects.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, proactive risk management, and continuous improvement across Defense Quality functions.
• Serve as the primary Defense quality leader to the VP of Defense and the Defense leadership team.
• Ensure the quality of all Defense hardware, assemblies, engineered systems, and services produced across multiple sites.
• Oversee program quality planning, including inspection strategies, qualification/verification plans, critical characteristics control, product safety considerations, and risk mitigation.
• Review and approve quality requirements for Defense proposals, contracts, and manufacturing plans.
• Drive effective root cause analysis, corrective action, and failure review processes for Defense programs.
• Ensure each Defense site maintains compliance to AS9100, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide direct guidance to site Quality Managers/Quality Engineers on QMS implementation, audit readiness, and procedural improvement.
• Support site internal audits, customer audits, DCMA oversight, and third‑party certification audits.
• Partner with the Enterprise Director of Quality to align Defense site QMS structures, documentation, and practices with the enterprise quality framework.
• Support the long‑term strategy to transition multiple Defense AS9100 certificates into a unified enterprise certificate.
• Collaborate closely on enterprise initiatives such as configuration management improvements, risk management systems, document control harmonization, supplier quality strategies, and enterprise metrics.

Skills

Quality Engineering

Risk management

Auditing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical field

Tools

AS9100

ISO 9001

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

The Director of Quality, Defense is responsible for overseeing all quality activities, personnel, systems, and performance associated with Defense programs across multiple Karman Space & Defense operating sites. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure all Defense hardware, assemblies, and services meet or exceed contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements.

This position will manage the Defense Quality Engineering organization, supports execution of Defense programs, and ensures consistent application of quality standards and tools across the sector. This leader works in close partnership with the Enterprise Director of Quality to align each site’s AS9100 compliant QMS with the emerging enterprise quality architecture and to transition multiple Defense sites toward a unified enterprise certification.

This role is critical in driving disciplined execution, continuous improvement, product integrity, and customer satisfaction within the Defense market segment.

Reports to Vice President, Defense. Functional Partnership with Enterprise Director of Quality (Karman Space & Defense).

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage the Quality Engineering team supporting all Defense programs and projects.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, proactive risk management, and continuous improvement across Defense Quality functions.
• Serve as the primary Defense quality leader to the VP of Defense and the Defense leadership team.
• Ensure the quality of all Defense hardware, assemblies, engineered systems, and services produced across multiple sites.
• Oversee program quality planning, including inspection strategies, qualification/verification plans, critical characteristics control, product safety considerations, and risk mitigation.
• Review and approve quality requirements for Defense proposals, contracts, and manufacturing plans.
• Drive effective root cause analysis, corrective action, and failure review processes for Defense programs.
• Ensure each Defense site maintains compliance to AS9100, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide direct guidance to site Quality Managers/Quality Engineers on QMS implementation, audit readiness, and procedural improvement.
• Support site internal audits, customer audits, DCMA oversight, and third‑party certification audits.
• Partner with the Enterprise Director of Quality to align Defense site QMS structures, documentation, and practices with the enterprise quality framework.
• Support the long‑term strategy to transition multiple Defense AS9100 certificates into a unified enterprise certificate.
• Collaborate closely on enterprise initiatives such as configuration management improvements, risk management systems, document control harmonization, supplier quality strategies, and enterprise metrics.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical field preferred
• 10 years of experience in aerospace/defense quality roles preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and Defense customer quality standards.
• Quality Engineering experience with complex programs including design.

Itar Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.

• 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel 0-10% of the time.

Salary Range

$140,000 - $180,000 USD

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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