Quality Manager

expleo-jobs-us-en; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays & PTO

Career development

Leadership opportunity

Strong team culture

Job summary

EXPLEO GROUP USA is seeking a Quality Manager in Kinston, NC to lead quality activities across aerospace manufacturing operations. You will manage Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and Auditors, and drive AS9100 compliance with FAA/EASA requirements while aligning with Airbus expectations.

The role emphasizes root cause analysis, corrective actions, supplier quality collaboration, and strong leadership to sustain a culture of quality and continuous improvement in a highly regulated aerospace

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical, Industrial or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 8 years in aerospace manufacturing quality, QA, QE, or QM.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, FAA/EASA requirements and aerospace processes.
• Experience leading quality teams in manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings and specs.
• Experience with SAP, MES, and quality reporting tools.
• Experience supporting Airbus programs and aerospace composite manufacturing.
• ASQ CMQ/OE, CQE, or Six Sigma certs are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage Quality Engineers, Inspectors, Auditors, and other quality professionals.
• Establish quality objectives and performance metrics aligned with customer expectations (Airbus).
• Drive a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Oversee non-conformance, containment actions, RCA investigations, and corrective actions.
• Provide daily support to production to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Lead internal, customer, regulatory audits and certification activities.

Skills

Quality leadership

Aerospace manufacturing

AS9100 knowledge

Auditing

Root cause analysis

SAP & MES

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

SAP

MES

Qlik

Minitab

AS9102 FAI

Job description

Overview

EXPLEO GROUP USA is currently looking for a Quality Manager to join our team for an exciting opportunityin Kinston, North Carolina.

Responsibilities:

Quality Leadership & Operations

• Lead, develop, and manage Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, Auditors, and other quality professionals supporting aerospace manufacturing operations
• Establish quality objectives and performance metrics aligned with Airbus and customer expectations
• Drive a culture of quality, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization
• Ensure proper execution of product verification, inspection, testing, and release activities
• Provide daily support to production operations to ensure adherence to manufacturing and quality standards
• Oversee non-conformance management activities, containment actions, root cause investigations, and corrective actions
• Promote quality excellence, operational discipline, and customer-focused decision-making across the facility

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

• Maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, FAA, EASA, and customer-specific quality requirements
• Ensure effective implementation and sustainability of Quality Management System processes
• Lead internal audits, customer audits, regulatory audits, and certification activities
• Develop and implement quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and process controls
• Monitor and analyze quality performance data to identify opportunities for improvement
• Ensure manufacturing processes, documentation, and quality records meet regulatory and customer requirements

Customer & Regulatory Interface

• Serve as the primary quality liaison between suppliers, customers, and regulatory agencies
• Support customer quality reviews, investigations, and corrective action activities
• Communicate quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to leadership and key stakeholders
• Ensure timely resolution of customer complaints, quality escapes, and product quality concerns
• Maintain strong working relationships with customers and regulatory authorities while supporting program success

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations utilizing methodologies including: 8D, A3, DMAIC, 5 Why Analysis, Fishbone Analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Utilize SQCDP (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People) methodology to monitor key performance indicators and improve operational performance
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives focused on defect reduction, process stability, and waste elimination
• Identify process improvement opportunities that enhance quality, efficiency, and cost performance
• Support operational excellence initiatives across manufacturing and quality functions
• Develop and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions that improve long-term performance

Supplier Quality Management

• Partner with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality teams to ensure supplier compliance with aerospace quality requirements
• Review supplier quality performance and support corrective actions when necessary
• Participate in supplier audits, evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure purchased materials and components meet contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements
• Support supplier development activities that improve product quality and delivery performance

Team Development & Leadership

• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor quality personnel
• Establish training, competency development, and succession planning programs
• Foster employee engagement, accountability, and professional growth
• Promote a safe work environment while reinforcing quality and compliance expectations
• Build and maintain high-performing teams capable of supporting demanding aerospace manufacturing operations

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 8 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing quality, quality assurance, quality engineering, or quality management
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or management experience
• Strong knowledge of: AS9100 quality management systems, FAA and EASA requirements, aerospace manufacturing processes, composite structures manufacturing, root cause corrective action methodologies, auditing principles and quality standards
• Experience leading quality teams within a manufacturing environment
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing requirements
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency using quality and manufacturing systems, including SAP, MES, and quality reporting tools
• Experience supporting Airbus programs and aerospace composite manufacturing operations
• ASQ Certifications, including: Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Experience with: SAP, Solumina, Minitab, Qlik, Statistical Process Control (SPC), First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102
• Supplier Quality Management experience
• Experience supporting customer, FAA, EASA, or third-party audits
• Advanced leadership experience within highly regulated aerospace manufacturing environment

What We Offer

At Expleo Group USA, we value expertise, innovation, and collaboration. By joining our team, you'll support one of the aerospace industry's most advanced commercial aircraft programs while leading quality initiatives that directly impact product excellence, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and operational success.

• Competitive Compensation – $120,000 - $140,000 annually. Please note that the compensation range displayed is a generalized range for pipelining purposes and may not reflect the final range for a specific role. Final compensation will be determined based on the role, skill alignment, years of experience, and fair, market-based rates by geography.
• Comprehensive Benefits for you and your dependents including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA with company contribution, company-sponsored Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, legal plans, hospital, accident, pet wellness plans, and 401(k) with company match
• Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off
• Career Development and Advancement – Expleo operates in 29 countries worldwide with a strong commitment to employee growth and professional development
• Leadership Opportunity – Influence quality strategy and lead high-performing teams supporting a globally recognized aerospace manufacturing program
• Strong Team Culture – Collaborate with experienced professionals who value quality, innovation, safety, compliance, and continuous improvement

This position may require access to information subject to U.S. export-control regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR). Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain such access. Under these regulations, access may be limited to U.S. Persons, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and individuals granted refugee or asylee status.

Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end integrated engineering, quality services, and management consulting for digital transformation. We are a talent incubator. The time you spend at Expleo will turbo-charge your career, allowing you to work on complex technical challenges, expand your skills, and take part in inspiring, multidisciplinary collaborations. Whether working on green aircraft, the factories of tomorrow, or cutting-edge digital engineering solutions, you'll have the opportunity to become a bolder version of yourself. Let's change the game together.

Expleo is an equal opportunity employer. We commit to non-discrimination in all stages of the recruitment process, ensuring fair and unbiased hiring practices. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable laws.

Benefits

#LI-KJ1