Quality Manager

FDH Aero; Naugatuck (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401k matching

Wellness programs

Job summary

FDH Aero in the United States seeks a Manager, Quality to lead the site quality team and ensure AS9100/ISO 9001 compliance. The role drives continuous improvement and collaborates with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and EHS to achieve first-time-right performance.

You bring aerospace-quality leadership, deep process knowledge, and a track record of reducing defects. This is a hands-on position with a focus on supplier quality, audits, and regulatory requirements, in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience leading aerospace quality teams.
• Expertise in AS9100/ISO 9001 and QMS processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site quality team and own quality strategy.
• Maintain compliant AS9100/ISO 9001 procedures and control documents.
• Plan and host audits (certification, customer, internal).
• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities.
• Manage nonconforming material and MRB processes; drive CAPA.
• Lead RCCA investigations and verify corrective actions.
• Own customer quality, RMA investigations, and trend analysis.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain on supplier quality and approvals.
• Ensure process qualifications, FAI/PPAP as required.
• Maintain calibration program and data accuracy.
• Develop and monitor site quality dashboard and metrics.
• Champion Lean/Six Sigma projects and 5S audits.
• Provide training to improve workmanship and QMS awareness.

Skills

Site leadership

Quality assurance

Communication

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

AS9100/ISO9001 knowledge

MS Office

Job description

Salary Range:$90,000.00 To $125,000.00 Annually

Who Are We?

FDH Aero is a trusted global supply chain partner for aerospace and defense companies, providing end-to-end supply chain solutions for OEM and aftermarket customers.

With more than 55+ years of experience and operations in 14 countries, we bring expertise across Commercial, Defense, Space, Business Aviation and Cargo through our specialized business divisions, Electronics, Hardware, Commercial Aftermarket, and Defense Aftermarket.

For more information, please visit the FDH Aero website.

Why Work Here?

Fast-paced & Impactful Work – Every decision helps keep aircraft flying and missions moving

Driven Team & Culture – Supportive, driven colleagues who support you every step of the way

High-Growth Opportunities – We invest in your success with training and development

Competitive Benefits Package – Includes medical, dental, vision insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) 401k matching, wellness activities and more

At FDH Aero, we understand that the strength of our brand comes from our people, and our culture empowers every team member to contribute and grow. As a global team, our culture is rooted in five (5) core values that begin with the words “We are” and include: service-first, respectful, amplifiers, open-minded and accountable.

We Are Looking For

The Manager, Quality will lead a dedicated quality team and will foster strong supplier and customer relationships, ensuring adherence to industry standards. This role leads the site quality team, ensures disciplined execution of AS9100/ISO 9001 processes within the unified FDHE QMS/eQMS, and drives continuous improvement for manufacturing and/or value-add operations. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented leader with extensive experience in aerospace quality processes, systems, and is capable of driving continuous improvement and maintaining operational excellence. The site manager partners with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and EHS to achieve first-time-right performance, reduce defects, and meet customer and regulatory requirements.

What You’ll Do

As a Manager, Quality, you’ll be responsible for:

• Site Quality Leadership: Serve as the facility’s Quality leader. Own quality strategy, objectives, and management review cadence. Lead, coach, and develop the site quality team; set objectives and run daily/weekly/monthly tier reviews. Ensure policy deployment and visual management across the floor.
• QMS Ownership (AS9100/ISO 9001): Maintain compliant and current procedures and improve documented processes, procedures, work instructions, and records. Ensure effective document change control (travelers, test methods, inspection plans), risk‑based thinking, and records traceability/ change management.
• Compliance & Audit Readiness: Plan and host third‑party certification audits, customer audits, and internal audits. Lead closure of nonconformities and preventive actions; track CAR/PAR effectiveness.
• Inspection & Test: Oversee incoming, in‑process, and final inspection for manufacturing operations. Ensure appropriate sampling plans, workmanship standards (e.g., IPC where applicable), test coverage, and traceability.
• Material Review & Disposition: Manage nonconforming product, rework/repair approvals, and quarantine controls. Own DMR/NCM processes; chair or support MRB per delegation. Ensure quarantine controls, rework/repair approvals, and reduction of customer escapes and internal PPM.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA): Lead structured problem solving (5‑Why, Fishbone, 8D). Drive on‑time, effective containment and corrective actions; verify and validate outcomes.
• Customer Quality: Own customer complaint/return (RMA) investigation, trend analysis, and communications.
• Supplier Quality Interface: Collaborate with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality on incoming quality, supplier CARs, certifications/CoCs, counterfeit parts prevention (e.g., AS5553/AS6174), and supplier performance.
• Process & Product Validation: Ensure process qualifications, FAI/PPAP as required, capability studies (CP/CPK), DQR, and control plan adherence for critical characteristics.
• Measurement Systems & Calibration: Maintain asset register, 100% on-time calibration, and appropriate MSA where applicable, gage R&R,
• Data & Reporting: Own site quality dashboard (FPY, PPM, DPPM, CAR aging, audit findings, OTTR/OTD impacts, scrap/rework, RMA, COPQ, CA OTD). Utilize SPC and statistical methods to drive decisions.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion Lean/Six Sigma projects targeting flow, waste elimination, and mistake‑proofing; facilitate kaizens and 5S audits.
• Training & Culture: Build quality capability across the site (workmanship, ESD, FOD/FOE, inspection techniques, QMS awareness). Coach leaders and associates on right‑first‑time behaviors.
• Regulatory & Export Awareness: Ensure adherence to applicable regulatory, customer, and contractual requirements (e.g., ITAR/EAR awareness for controlled items, shelf‑life controls, storage conditions).
• People Leadership: Recruit, develop, schedule, and performance‑manage a team of quality professionals across shifts; build succession and engagement.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related fields required
• Site Leadership experience in Quality Assurance, preferably within the aerospace or manufacturing industry.
• Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of AS9100/ISO9001 Quality Management Systems
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Proven track record in building and leading high-performing teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR.

Job Type: Full Time

FDH Aero is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.