Quality Control Manager

Guided Search Partners; Milford Mill (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Leadership opportunity in QA for aero/

Job summary

Guided Search Partners is seeking an experienced Quality Control Manager to lead quality assurance and control in a precision manufacturing environment serving aerospace and defense customers. The role requires ensuring compliance with customer specs, engineering requirements, and industry standards on machined components and processes.

The ideal candidate has strong background in precision machining, GD&T, AS9100/ISO 9001, and a hands-on leadership style to drive continuous improvement, CAPA,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of quality control/assurance in precision manufacturing or machine shop.
• Experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading a quality department or QA initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 QM systems.
• Experience with first-article inspections and AS9102 requirements.
• Proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and machining specs.
• Experience with precision inspection equipment and metrology methods.
• Knowledge of nonconformance reporting, root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Experience with audits and quality documentation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control procedures and QA systems to ensure compliance.
• Ensure adherence to aerospace and defense quality standards and customer requirements.
• Oversee inspections (FAI, in-process, final) and verification against drawings.
• Interpret GD&T and blueprints to verify conformity.
• Ensure proper use and calibration of inspection tools (CMMs, micrometers, calipers).
• Lead CAPA investigations and root cause analysis.
• Manage internal quality audits and support customer/external audits.
• Evaluate supplier quality and incoming material certifications.
• Analyze quality metrics to drive continuous improvement and defect prevention.
• Supervise quality inspectors and technicians; set performance expectations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, CNC, and production teams.
• Maintain documentation and traceability (inspection records, certifications, calibration).
• Serve as primary point of contact for customer quality concerns.

Skills

Quality management

AS9100 / ISO 9001

Aerospace industry knowledge

Dimensional inspection

GD&T

CMM usage

Root cause analysis

CAPA

Audits (internal/external)

Leadership / team management

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality/Engineering

Tools

CMM programming

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Quality Control Manager to lead and oversee quality assurance and quality control operations within a precision machine shop supporting the aerospace and defense industry. This individual will be responsible for ensuring that all machined components, manufacturing processes, and inspection activities meet stringent customer specifications, engineering requirements, and applicable industry standards.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in precision machining, dimensional inspection, quality management systems, and aerospace manufacturing requirements. This role requires a hands-on leader who can drive continuous improvement, maintain regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of quality throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality Management: Develop, implement, and maintain quality control procedures, inspection processes, and quality management systems to ensure compliance with customer and industry requirements.
• Aerospace Compliance: Ensure adherence to applicable aerospace and defense quality standards, including AS9100, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.
• Inspection & Testing: Oversee first-article inspections (FAI), in-process inspections, final inspections, and verification of precision-machined components against engineering drawings and specifications.
• Technical Drawings & GD&T: Interpret complex engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), blueprints, and technical specifications to verify product conformity.
• Measurement & Metrology: Ensure proper use, calibration, and maintenance of precision measurement equipment, including CMMs, micrometers, calipers, height gauges, and other inspection tools.
• Nonconformance Management: Lead the identification, documentation, investigation, and resolution of nonconforming materials and products. Oversee root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Audit Management: Lead internal quality audits, support customer audits, and coordinate external certification audits to maintain compliance and certification requirements.
• Supplier Quality: Evaluate supplier performance, review incoming material certifications, and address supplier-related quality issues.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze quality metrics, scrap rates, rework, and customer complaints to identify opportunities for process improvement and defect prevention.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and develop quality inspectors and technicians while establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing, engineering, CNC programming, and production teams to resolve quality issues and improve manufacturing processes.
• Documentation & Traceability: Maintain accurate inspection records, material certifications, calibration records, first-article reports, and other required quality documentation.
• Customer Relations: Serve as a primary point of contact for customer quality concerns, corrective action requests, and quality-related technical discussions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of quality control or quality assurance experience in a precision manufacturing or machine shop environment.
• Previous experience supporting aerospace and/or defense manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing a quality department, supervising inspectors, or leading quality initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Experience with first-article inspections and AS9102 documentation requirements.
• Proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and machining specifications.
• Experience with precision inspection equipment and dimensional measurement techniques.
• Knowledge of nonconformance reporting, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with internal audits, customer audits, and quality documentation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CNC machining, including milling, turning, and complex precision-machined components.
• Experience with CMM programming or operation and advanced metrology techniques.
• ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Certified Quality Engineer, or comparable quality certification.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with defense contract quality requirements, material traceability, and customer flow-down requirements.
• Familiarity with government or military specifications and applicable contract-specific quality clauses.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Reduction in scrap, rework, and nonconformance rates.
• On-time completion of inspections and first-article reports.
• Customer satisfaction and reduction in customer complaints.
• Successful completion of internal and external audits.
• Corrective action closure rates and effectiveness.
• Supplier quality performance.
• Sustained compliance with applicable quality standards and customer requirements.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Opportunity to lead quality operations in a precision manufacturing environment.
• Collaborative team environment supporting aerospace and defense customers.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented, technically capable quality leader who understands the relationship between machining processes, engineering tolerances, inspection requirements, and customer expectations. They will be comfortable working directly on the shop floor, partnering with machinists and engineers, and implementing practical solutions that improve product quality without compromising production efficiency.