Manager, Quality Control

AeroVironment, Inc.; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Manager, Quality Control in California to lead inspection and QA activities throughout production.

You will supervise inspectors and quality technicians, drive corrective actions, ensure product conformance to customer fitness criteria, and support readiness reviews for manufactured goods. Responsibilities include audits, PPAP, SPC, FMEA, GD&T, and ISO/AS9100 compliance, plus mentoring staff and coordinating with suppliers to close gaps and improve on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related discipline.
• 3–5 years of management/supervisory experience.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in quality/control.
• Strong knowledge of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, SPC, Gage R&R, and lean methods.
• Proficient with ISO 9001/AS9100 audits and GD&T.
• Proven leadership in quality improvement and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Receiving and Final Inspectors and Quality Technicians.
• Drive corrective actions and failure analyses promptly.
• Lead PRR participation and manage final inspection activities.
• Implement Inspection and Quality Plans reflecting customer fitness criteria.
• Conduct internal audits of quality systems, purchasing, and manufacturing.
• Review specs and train staff on procedures and standards.
• Set supplier material requirements and monitor compliance.
• Inspect final output, approve or reject products.
• Gather client feedback, report findings, and assist external auditors.
• Drive trend improvements to support strategic quality goals.
• Apply policy and methods to achieve efficient problem solving.

Skills

DMAIC

FMEA

PPAP

Statistical Process Control

Gage R&R

Lean manufacturing

ISO 9001

AS9100

AS9102 audits

MS Office Suite

GD&T

Mechanical inspection methods

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related discipline

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

The Manager, Quality Control is responsible for assuring products meet acceptable quality standards. In this role, one ensures that production and manufacturing lines perform efficiently, coordinate employee efforts, and facilitate communications between management and production departments. Develop ways to improve the manufacturing processes to ensure higher-quality goods.

Position Responsibilities

• Supervise Receiving and Final Inspectors, Quality Technicians, and providing guidance
• Support Quality Assurance in driving corrective actions and failure analysis in a timely manner
• Participate in Product Readiness Reviews (PRR) and Manage Final Inspection activities
• Implement Inspection and Quality Plans and Ensure product acceptance criteria reflects the customer's definition of fitness for use
• Conduct internal audit activities including but not limited to quality management systems, purchasing, contract review process, and manufacturing
• Review specifications and procedures for products or processes, and training staff to use them
• Set the requirements for raw materials from suppliers and monitoring their compliance
• Inspecting the final output, comparing it to the requirements, and approving or rejecting the final products
• Gaining feedback from the clients, attending meetings, submitting reports, and assisting external auditors and inspectors
• Drive trend improvements on the internal and external quality in support of strategic business objectives
• Works on issues of diverse scope where analysis of situation or data requires evaluation of a variety of factors, including an understanding of current business trends.
• Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Provides guidance to subordinates within the latitude of established company policies.
• Recommends changes to policies and establishes procedures that affect immediate organization
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years of management/supervisory experience
• Minimum of 8 years' relevant experience
• Experience and a strong understanding of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Gage R&R Studies and lean manufacturing methodologies
• Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001:AS9100, AS9102 standards and audits
• Demonstrates proficiency using MS Office Suite (Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Knowledge of dimensional inspection measurement systems and their application for the inspection of complex products – a full understanding of ASME Y14.5 (GD&T).
• Expertise in mechanical inspection methods and skills

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Demonstrates leadership and initiative to work efficiently and to streamline processes
• Has a full understanding of one's specialization and uses professional concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways
• Able to communicate with customer and suppliers to resolve processes gaps and the ability to apply specified requirements in a cost-effective approach
• Manage the collection of, compile and analyze data (using the appropriate six sigma methods and techniques) to provide to Quality Assurance team as required
• Able to affect internal and external DPPM (scrap and rework) reduction and OTD improvements both internally and at our suppliers
• Strong written/verbal communication, analytical, time management and problem solving skills
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant) Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

Public Trust

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is: $117,500 - $179,250 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
• We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

EOE Statement

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

Information About US Citizens and Licenses

ITAR U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment

Careers at AeroVironment