Quality Manager

Aether Aerospace; Hollywood (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Aether Aerospace is seeking a Quality Manager in Hollywood, MD to lead the QMS for AS9100D and ISO 9001, ensuring audit readiness and product conformance. This senior, hands-on role collaborates with Manufacturing Shop, Program Management, and Engineering to prevent defects and close nonconformances.

Responsibilities include writing procedures, leading audits, performing FAIs, and driving continuous improvement while coordinating with government and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or related field; or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• 10+ years in aerospace/defense or precision manufacturing quality with 5+ years leading a quality team.
• Proven ownership of AS9100D and ISO 9001 QMS with audits.

Responsibilities

• Own, write, and update QMS procedures, work instructions, forms, and records; control revisions and implementation.
• Plan and perform internal and external supplier audits; lead certification body, customer, and government audit support and finding closure.
• Lead AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAIs) and review FAIRs for completeness, traceability, and customer acceptance.
• Work with Shop leadership, Program Management, and Engineering on inspection planning, drawings, traveler requirements, and quality risks.
• Lead NCR and CAR reviews, containment, root cause analysis, and effectiveness checks; obtain necessary dispositions.
• Report quality KPIs and trends, including rejects, customer escapes, NCR/CAR aging, audit findings, and FAI performance.
• Serve as the GIDEP representative; screen alerts, coordinate impact assessments and reporting, maintain access controls.
• Own the Shop manufacturing training matrix with leadership; maintain qualifications and training records.

Skills

AS9100D quality management

ISO 9001

First Article Inspection (FAI)

Root cause analysis

GIDEP screening

Leadership

Inspection planning

GD&T interpretation

On-site work travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

10+ years aerospace/defense quality experience

Tools

ERP/PDM systems

Calibration & metrology tools

GIDEP coordination tools

Job description

Start Date: Immediate

JHNA,CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domainexpertiseacross Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

The combined organizationoperatesas a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

OVERVIEW

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Hollywood, MD

Aether Aerospace is currently seeking a Quality Manager to join our growing team. In this role, the Quality Manager will lead the Aether IPD quality function and own the Quality Management System (QMS) for AS9100D and ISO 9001. This senior, hands‑on manager will partner with the Manufacturing Shop, Program Management, and Engineering to prevent defects, maintain audit readiness, resolve nonconformances, and ensure product acceptance records are complete.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own, write, and update QMS procedures, work instructions, forms, and records; control revisions and implementation.

• Plan and perform internal and external supplier audits; lead certification body, customer, and government audit support and finding closure.
• Lead AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAIs) and review First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) for completeness, traceability, and customer acceptance.
• Work directly with Shop leadership, Program Management, and Engineering on inspection planning, drawing issues, traveler requirements, and quality risks.
• Lead NCR and CAR reviews, containment, root cause analysis, and effectiveness checks; obtain required customer or design authority disposition approvals.
• Report quality KPIs and trends, including rejects, customer escapes, NCR/CAR aging, audit findings, and FAI performance; drive assigned improvement actions.
• Serve as the Government Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) representative; screen relevant alerts, coordinate impact assessments and required reporting, and maintain participation and access controls.
• Own the Shop manufacturing training matrix with Shop leadership; maintain qualifications, training records, expiration dates, and authorization to perform work.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Clearance: Ability to obtain Secret clearance

Educations and Years of Experience: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated experience with at least 10 years of progressive aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing quality experience, including 5 years leading a quality function or team.

• Demonstrated ownership of an AS9100D and ISO 9001 QMS, including personally writing procedures and sustaining certification through successful audits.
• Hands on AS9102 FAI/FAIR experience, including characteristic accountability, configuration and material traceability, and full or partial FAI requirements.
• Formal AS9100 auditor training and experience conducting internal and supplier audits, supporting external audits, and verifying finding closure.
• Proven leadership of NCR/CAR reviews, root cause investigations, containment, disposition coordination, and corrective action effectiveness checks.
• Ability to interpret drawings, GD&T, specifications, and contractual quality requirements; working knowledge of inspection, metrology, calibration, and special process controls.
• Experience supporting shop personnel, maintaining training/qualification matrices, reporting quality KPIs, and applying GIDEP screening and reporting processes.
• Ability to work on site and travel occasionally for audits.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• AS9100 lead auditor qualification or ASQ quality management, quality engineering, or auditor certification.
• Prior service as a GIDEP representative and experience supporting DCMA or other government customer audits.
• High mix manufacturing experience in machining, welding, fabrication, assembly, and outsourced special processes; familiarity with ERP/PDM and electronic quality records.

$69.25 - $86.56 an hour

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.