Quality Manager

Employbridge; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Employbridge seeks a hands-on Quality Manager for an AS9100D-certified aerospace manufacturer in Corona, CA. You will lead the Quality Management System, ensure compliance with AS9100D, ISO 9001, and customer requirements while supporting growth and operational excellence.

You will oversee audits, supplier and process quality, MRB, PPAP, FMEA, SPC; mentor inspectors, drive continuous improvement, and partner with Operations and Engineering to embed quality in every process.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent quality leadership experience.
• Minimum five years in a Quality Manager or similar leadership role.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated precision manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, AS9100D, and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Hands-on QMS maintenance during external audits.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain AS9100D QMS, including manuals, procedures, and audits.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with AS9100D, ISO 9001 and customer requirements.
• Lead MRB, nonconforming material disposition, and APQP activities.
• Drive CAPA, root cause analysis, containment, and effectiveness verification.
• Mentor and develop quality inspectors and teams.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Manufacturing to embed quality.
• Track KPIs: cost of quality, CAPA closures, on-time quality.

Skills

Quality leadership

Regulatory compliance

AS9100D knowledge

ISO 9001 knowledge

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

Root Cause Analysis

FMEA / APQP

CAPA / 8D problem solving

Audit management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical field

Tools

CMM

ERP/MRP systems

SPC tools

Job description

Lead Quality Excellence in Aerospace Manufacturing

An established AS9100D-certified aerospace manufacturer is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead and continuously improve its Quality Management System while supporting ongoing growth, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

This role is ideal for a hands‑on quality leader who can maintain compliance, develop teams, drive process improvements, and ensure quality standards are embedded throughout manufacturing operations. You will play a critical role in supporting flight‑critical aerospace products while helping scale quality systems to meet increasing production demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the AS9100D Quality Management System, including quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, and audit programs.
• Ensure continuous compliance with AS9100D, ISO 9001, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Serve as Management Representative for quality and communicate quality system performance, risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership.
• Maintain audit readiness and support successful registrar, customer, and internal audits.
• Identify process gaps and implement procedures, controls, and best practices to strengthen quality performance.
• Lead corrective and preventive action activities, including containment, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and support functions.

Inspection & Manufacturing Quality

• Direct receiving, in‑process, and final inspection activities.
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) processes and nonconforming material disposition.
• Ensure successful execution of AS9102 First Article Inspection, PPAP, Control Plans, FMEA, SPC, and related aerospace quality requirements.
• Support interpretation of engineering drawings, GD&T requirements, and CMM inspection activities.

Supplier & Process Quality

• Oversee supplier quality performance and special process controls.
• Manage quality requirements associated with plating, anodizing, heat treating, and other aerospace special processes.
• Support compliance with customer and NADCAP-related requirements.
• Lead, mentor, train, and develop quality inspectors and quality personnel.
• Establish accountability, standard work, and a culture of quality excellence.
• Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, and Manufacturing to ensure quality is built into every process.

Metrics & Performance

• Track and report quality objectives and key performance indicators, including:
• Cost of quality
• Corrective action closure
• On‑time quality performance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent quality leadership experience.
• Five or more years of experience in a Quality Manager or similar quality leadership role.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, or other highly regulated precision manufacturing environments.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, AS9100D, and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Hands‑on experience maintaining a certified Quality Management System through external audits.
• Advanced understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5), blueprint interpretation, and inspection techniques, including CMM.
• Experience with aerospace quality tools including:
• AS9102 First Article Inspection
• PPAP
• FMEA
• SPC
• 8D Problem Solving
• Proven experience leading, developing, and managing quality teams.
• Strong communication, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hydraulic systems, fluid power products, or precision‑machined components.
• Familiarity with special processes and NADCAP requirements.
• Experience with AS9146 and Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention programs.
• AS9100 Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor training.
• Experience supporting business growth, equipment qualification, facility transitions, or quality system expansion.
• ERP or MRP experience in a make‑to‑order manufacturing environment.

Why Join Us?

• Lead quality for flight‑critical aerospace products.
• Play a key role in shaping and scaling an established AS9100D-certified quality system.
• Partner directly with executive leadership.
• Make a meaningful impact on operational performance, customer satisfaction, and company growth.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

This position is based on‑site in Corona, California and includes a combination of office and manufacturing floor responsibilities. The role requires regular interaction with production, inspection, engineering, and operations teams.

This position involves access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be authorized to access ITAR‑controlled information and qualify as a U.S. Person, including:

• U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder)

Skills & Keywords

AS9100, AS9100D, ISO 9001, Quality Manager, Aerospace Quality, Quality Systems, Manufacturing Quality, Quality Assurance, CAPA, Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, AS9102, First Article Inspection, GD&T, CMM, NADCAP, Supplier Quality, Precision Manufacturing, Aerospace Manufacturing, Defense Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Audit Management, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Leadership.