Manager Quality

Elevate Aircraft Seating LLC.

Santa Maria (CA)

On-site

USD 114,000 - 167,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Bonus potential up to 10%

Job summary

Elevate Aircraft Seating is seeking a Manager of Quality for an on-site role in Santa Maria, CA. This leadership position oversees QA/quality control, drives continuous improvement, and ensures regulatory and customer compliance.

You will guide quality engineering, inspection, and administration teams while collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and improve the quality system.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field is required.
Minimum of 8 years of progressive quality assurance or quality management experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably aerospace.
Minimum of 5 years of experience with FAA and EASA regulatory requirements applicable to aerospace manufacturing, quality systems, and product conformity.
Experience leading quality teams and managing QMS, audits, nonconformance, and CAPA initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead daily quality assurance and quality control operations.
Develop and execute departmental quality objectives and improvement plans.
Manage resources, workload, and employee development to ensure timely quality deliverables.
Ensure compliance with FAA/EASA regulations, AS9100 standards, customer specs, and QMS.
Lead internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MRB processes

CAPA management

Job description

Since 2018, Elevate Aircraft Seating has been enhancing the passenger experience through innovative aircraft seat design and manufacturing. With locations in California, Washington, and Germany we are guided by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality.

We are looking for a skilled Manager Quality to join our team in Santa Maria, CA. This is an on-site position based in Santa Maria, CA. We value teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous professional development, and we offer competitive benefits along with opportunities for growth.

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager, Quality is responsible for overseeing quality assurance operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company quality objectives. This position provides leadership and direction to quality engineering, quality administration, and inspection teams while driving continuous improvement initiatives, process effectiveness, and operational excellence. The Manager, Quality collaborates cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, customers, and suppliers to resolve quality-related issues, strengthen quality management systems, and ensure product conformity and customer satisfaction.

SUMMARY OF JOB DUTIES - Essential Functions(Other duties and projects may be assigned or requested.)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Quality Leadership & Team Management

Lead and manage daily quality assurance and quality control operations, providing direction, oversight, and development to quality engineering, quality administration, and inspection teams.
Develop and execute departmental quality objectives, initiatives, and improvement plans aligned with organizational goals, operational priorities, and customer requirements.
Manage departmental resources, workload distribution, performance expectations, and employee development to ensure timely execution of quality deliverables and continuous improvement of team capabilities.

Quality Management Systems & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with applicable FAA/EASA regulations, AS9100 standards, customer specifications, and internal quality management system (QMS) requirements.
Maintain and continuously improve the site's QMS, ensuring processes, procedures, and documentation support regulatory compliance, product conformity, and operational effectiveness.
Support product conformity, airworthiness, and applicable certification requirements by ensuring quality processes and inspection activities meet established regulatory and customer standards.
Lead and coordinate internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, ensuring audit readiness, timely resolution of findings, and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.

Quality Assurance & Operational Performance

Oversee nonconformance management, Material Review Board (MRB) activities, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes to ensure effective root cause analysis, resolution, and prevention of recurring quality issues.
Establish, monitor, and report key quality performance indicators (KPIs), departmental deliverables, and improvement initiatives to drive accountability and measurable performance improvements.
Monitor quality deliverables against program milestones, production schedules, and site operational objectives to ensure timely execution and compliance with established requirements.
Identify quality-related risks, regulatory compliance concerns, and potential operational impacts, developing and implementing appropriate mitigation and corrective action plans.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

Lead continuous improvement initiatives across quality operations to strengthen process effectiveness, product quality, and overall operational performance.
Apply Lean methodologies, statistical process control (SPC), root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving tools to identify opportunities for improvement and prevent recurring quality issues.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, implement, and sustain standardized processes that improve quality, efficiency, and operational consistency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer/Supplier Quality

Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, and Supply Chain to resolve quality-related issues, support program milestones, and ensure compliance with contractual and customer requirements.
Oversee supplier-related quality issues in collaboration with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality teams, supporting supplier performance improvements, corrective actions, and compliance with established quality requirements.
Maintain effective communication with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders regarding quality performance, compliance matters, corrective actions, and issue resolution.
Support customer satisfaction objectives by proactively identifying quality concerns, addressing customer feedback, and ensuring timely resolution of quality-related issues.

Other

Maintain a safe, secure and legal work environment, adhering to all Company policies and procedures.
Protect the confidentiality of the Company’s information and products.
Contribute to team efforts by performing other job-related duties and projects as assigned or requested.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned or requested.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS – Education, Knowledge, and Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field is required.

Experience

Minimum of 8 years of progressive quality assurance or quality management experience within a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably in the aerospace industry.
Minimum of 5 years of experience working with FAA and EASA regulatory requirements applicable to aerospace manufacturing, quality systems, and product conformity.
Demonstrated experience leading quality assurance or quality control teams, including performance management, employee development, and operational oversight.
Experience managing quality management systems (QMS), regulatory and customer audits, nonconformance processes, and corrective and preventive action initiatives.
Experience collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and customers to resolve complex quality issues and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of AS9100 standards, FAA/EASA regulations, and aerospace quality assurance requirements.
Strong understanding of AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements, product conformity, and applicable airworthiness standards.
Ability to develop, implement, document, and maintain quality management systems, processes, procedures, and work instructions.
Proficiency in Material Review Board (MRB) processes, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), root cause analysis, and nonconformance management.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret quality data, establish performance metrics, and drive process improvements.
Effective leadership, communication, and technical writing skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and communicate quality requirements to internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills/Experience

Formal training and practical experience conducting internal, customer, supplier, or third-party audits within the aerospace industry.
Working knowledge and practical application of advanced quality management tools and methodologies, including Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), inspection planning, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
Knowledge and application of AS9145 requirements related to Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) within aerospace manufacturing environments.

Other

Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
May require extended or irregular hours.
Employees must adapt to changing business needs.
Elevate Aircraft Seating is an "at-will" employer.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO THE POSITION

Direction is provided for assignments in terms of desired outcome (goals), timing and budget.
Work is reviewed or measured in terms of meeting organizational objectives and schedules.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

Oversee the work of others.
Assist with coordination of adherence to organizational goals, operating policies, and budgetary guidelines.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Develop and provide solutions to complex problems based on established precedents and are consistent with organization objectives.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Elevate Aircraft Seating offers competitive wages and benefits to recognize employees for their work. The base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity.

Salary Range Transparency: $113,500 - $167,000 annually

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