Quality Manager

Karman Space & Defense; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense, based in Corona, CA, seeks a Quality Operations Lead to oversee inspection, quality engineering, and assurance across the organization. You will drive compliance, manage ISO 9001/AS9100 programs, maintain up-to-date drawings, and support production readiness while fostering teamwork and safety.

You will lead cross-functional teams, resolve nonconformances, and apply OSHA requirements to maintain high quality and regulatory standards in aerospace manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in quality within aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong mechanical aptitude; hands-on experience in fabrication and assembly environments preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams.
• Familiarity with basic material properties and in-process verification and validation.
• Proficiency with quality control tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauge blocks.
• Five to ten years of experience in quality control or quality assurance management.
• Ability to read, speak, and write in English.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inspection, quality engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Manages ISO 9001/2000 and AS9100 quality programs and drives quality objectives across the organization.
• Ensures blueprints and drawings are current, accurate, and properly maintained prior to production.
• Maintains quality records, organization systems, and documentation associated with quality levels and returned materials.
• Ensures quality personnel have required materials, training, and resources to perform job functions.
• Issues and tracks returns related to quality concerns.
• Collaborates with engineering, production, machine shop, contracts/sales, and purchasing to support cross-functional communication.
• Supports destructive and nondestructive testing requirements.
• Oversees quality requirements across all production and machine shop shifts.
• Enforces company safety policies and promotes safe work practices.
• Evaluates new and modified equipment and processes for first article compliance.
• Resolves nonconformances using problem-solving techniques and implements corrective actions.
• Applies knowledge of OSHA requirements.
• Performs work safely and reports hazards or unsafe practices.

Skills

Quality management

Aerospace quality

Blueprint reading

Problem solving

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Quality assurance certification

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.

This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation’s space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission‑critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high‑performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.

In this role, you will lead quality operations across inspection, quality engineering, and assurance functions to ensure products meet customer, engineering, and regulatory requirements. You will manage quality standards, drive compliance, resolve quality issues, and support production readiness while fostering a strong culture of teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inspection, quality engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Manages ISO 9001/2000 and AS9100 quality programs and drives quality objectives across the organization.
• Ensures blueprints and drawings are current, accurate, and properly maintained prior to production.
• Maintains quality records, organization systems, and documentation associated with quality levels and returned materials.
• Ensures quality personnel have required materials, training, and resources to perform job functions.
• Issues and tracks returns related to quality concerns.
• Collaborates with engineering, production, machine shop, contracts/sales, and purchasing to support cross‑functional communication.
• Supports destructive and nondestructive testing requirements.
• Oversees quality requirements across all production and machine shop shifts.
• Enforces company safety policies and promotes safe work practices.
• Evaluates new and modified equipment and processes for first article compliance.
• Resolves nonconformances using problem‑solving techniques and implements corrective actions.
• Applies knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
• Performs work safely and reports hazards or unsafe practices.

Required Qualifications

• 5-7 years in quality within aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong mechanical aptitude; hands‑on experience in fabrication and assembly environments preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams.
• Familiarity with basic material properties and in‑process verification and validation.
• Proficiency with quality control tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauge blocks.
• Five to ten years of experience in quality control or quality assurance management.
• Ability to read, speak, and write in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Quality assurance certification.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly requires standing, manual handling of objects, and communication.
• Occasionally requires walking and reaching with hands and arms.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

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, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.