Hands-On Aerospace QA Leader on the Factory Floor

PCX Aerostructures, LLC; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Aerospace & Defense is seeking a hands-on Quality Assurance Manager to lead inspection and QA on our Santa Ana manufacturing floor. You will partner with Engineering and Operations to resolve nonconformances, drive corrective actions, and ensure safe, compliant aerospace production.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in aerospace quality, strong AS9100/AS9102 experience, and a proven track record in Lean, problem solving, and supplier quality improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineering/Quality Management in aerospace.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and AS9102 requirements.
• Experience with aerospace OEMs, customers, and regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Quality team on inspection, testing, and QA activities.
• Ensure compliance with drawings, specs, customer requirements, procedures, and standards.
• Establish QC criteria, inspection methods, and flow‑down requirements.
• Participate in MRB activities and disposition of nonconformances.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions (5 Why, Fishbone, 8D).
• Monitor KPIs and quality metrics; support continuous improvement.
• Review engineering changes for impact on inspection and documentation.
• Coordinate supplier quality issues and corrective action plans.
• Support customer audits, regulatory reviews, and on‑site visits.
• Develop and maintain QMS documentation: procedures, plans, control plans.

Skills

Quality Leadership

AS9100 Knowledge

Root Cause Analysis

Lean Manufacturing

Documentation & Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

ERP/MRP

Job description

Applied Aerospace & Defense is seeking a hands-on Quality Assurance Manager to lead inspection and QA on our Santa Ana manufacturing floor. You will partner with Engineering and Operations to resolve nonconformances, drive corrective actions, and ensure safe, compliant aerospace production.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in aerospace quality, strong AS9100/AS9102 experience, and a proven track record in Lean, problem solving, and supplier quality improvement.