Quality Manager

Actalent; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k 8% match

Pension 6% of salary per year

Medical dental vision

Job summary

Actalent in Denver, CO is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead quality operations across defense and aerospace manufacturing. You will oversee quality systems, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure compliance and performance across sites.

The role demands a proven leader with 13+ years in regulated environments, ability to manage cross-functional teams, and strong communication with customers, suppliers, and regulators.

Qualifications

• Experience leading quality operations in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of ISO and AS9100, auditing and corrective actions.
• Ability to resolve complex technical and operational quality challenges.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the Quality Assurance program to meet quality, schedule, and financial objectives.
• Maintain ISO/AS9100 QMS and ensure compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement quality standards, inspection processes, testing methodologies, and CAPA programs.
• Direct internal and external audits, investigate quality issues, and drive root-cause and corrective actions.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to embed quality requirements across the lifecycle.
• Oversee calibration programs, inspection labs, documentation control, and quality records management.
• Monitor safety and environmental compliance requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop quality teams with workforce planning.
• Serve as primary interface with customers, suppliers, auditors, and government agencies on quality matters.
• Support strategic planning, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

ISO/AS9100 knowledge

Auditing experience

Regulated manufacturing leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Seeking a Quality Manager ready to launch impact. We're looking for a proven leader with experience in highly regulated, mission-critical environments who can drive quality excellence in the space industry and help shape the future of space exploration.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead quality operations within the defense and aerospace manufacturing sectors. This role involves overseeing quality systems, ensuring compliance, conducting audits and inspections, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across multiple sites and programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the Quality Assurance program, ensuring quality, compliance, schedule, and financial objectives are achieved.
• Manage and maintain ISO/AS9100 quality management systems and ensure compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement quality standards, inspection processes, testing methodologies, and corrective action programs.
• Direct internal and external audits, investigate quality issues, and drive root cause and corrective action activities.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to incorporate quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Oversee calibration programs, inspection laboratories, documentation control, and quality records management.
• Monitor safety and environmental compliance requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop quality teams while supporting workforce planning and talent development.
• Serve as a primary interface with customers, suppliers, auditors, and government agencies on quality-related matters.
• Support strategic planning, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Strong working knowledge of ISO, AS9100, auditing, corrective actions, and quality management systems.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, programs, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to resolve complex technical and operational challenges.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred).
• 13+ years of progressive Quality Assurance experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, space, satellite, or other highly regulated industries.
• Multi-site quality management experience.
• Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance.
• Experience supporting space hardware manufacturing, integration, testing, and customer delivery programs.

Work Environment

This leadership-level role requires significant strategic and operational responsibility, with approximately 50% travel required. Ideal candidates will have a background in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or space systems quality leadership. Ability to work extended hours as needed to support project demands, compliance with all applicable regulatory and safety requirements, and eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance are expected.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Denver, CO.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $200000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

401k 8% match, Pension roughly 6% per year of salary, medical dental vision

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Denver, CO.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.