Quality Manager

Element U.S. Space & Defense; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with employer match

Paid holidays and floating holidays

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement

Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO)

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Element U.S. Space & Defense in Santa Clarita is seeking a Quality Manager to lead ISO 17025 quality programs and safety initiatives within a lab setting.

You will drive continuous improvement, coordinate audits, and mentor teams across quality and EHS while ensuring on-time delivery and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience with ISO related quality mgmt systems, accreditation, certification, and maintenance.
• Experience participating in quality investigations, undertaking true cause analysis, developing corrective action plans, and ensuring effectiveness of actions.
• This is an onsite role in a lab with occasional travel.
• Experience working in a multi-functional team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the facility’s quality objectives and programs.
• Develop and implement workplace policies and procedures in accordance with ISO standards; keep them up to date.
• Lead and manage publications and calibration teams with clear expectations and coaching.
• Oversee daily quality operations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Drive accountability and ownership of the quality management system, focusing on on-time delivery and reducing rework.
• Manage site accreditations (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and implement quality programs to reduce the cost of poor quality and improve compliance.
• Manage supplier and regulatory assessments and visits as required.
• Prepare monthly/annual quality reports with KPI like FTR and corrective actions; present to management.
• Conduct internal audits and audits with engineering partners.
• Stay informed on ISO standards developments.

Skills

Quality management

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field

Tools

eQMS

MS Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Quality Manager

Administration Active Full-Time Management Santa Clarita, CA, US

About Company:

Element U.S. Space & Defense stands at the forefront of testing innovation, serving as a trusted partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies, and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Founded as NTS Technical Systems, our company brings over 60 years of experience and expertise in handling the most complex projects and programs in the world.

From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System (SLS), to environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, we are the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. By advancing our state-of-the-art testing technologies, subject matter expertise, and service to critical missions, Element U.S. Space & Defense has become the go-to partner for ground-breaking industries.

What We Offer:

Growth & Development:

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• The chance to work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future of space and defense.

Benefits: Employees are eligible to participate in the benefits offered throughout their availability, including the following:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Seven (7) paid holidays and four (4) paid floating holidays, depending on your hire date
• Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued biweekly
• 401k with employer match
• Twelve (12) hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO) each year
• Tuition reimbursement and other employee programs
• Flexible schedules offered at some of our labs
• Monthly Lab Bonus plans (Based on position)

Salary:
At EUSSD, compensation is determined through a comprehensive approach that considers candidate qualifications, role responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational needs. Pay may vary by location; for this position, the annual base salary target range is $113,000 - 133,000, with potential eligibility for bonuses or commission depending on the role.

Summary:

Effectively manage the day-to-day implementation of Safety and Quality Management programs. Embed and drive a culture of safety, quality assurance and improvement of quality and safety programs in all parts of lab operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

Quality Essential Functions

• Lead and contribute to the development and execution of the facility’s quality objectives and programs.
• Develop and implement workplace policies and procedures in accordance with ISO standards; ensure they are up to date.
• Lead and manage publications and calibration teams by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing coaching and feedback, and fostering a high-performance culture aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee the facility's daily quality operations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Drive accountability and ownership of the quality management system, focusing on improving on‑time delivery and eliminating re‑work.
• Manage site accreditations, e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, and other regulatory requirements, including deficiency responses and closeouts.
• Establish and implement appropriate quality programs to reduce the cost of poor quality and improve compliance with regulations and standards, company objectives, and customer requirements.
• Manage assessments and visits from customers and other regulatory bodies as required.
• Prepare monthly or annual quality reports, including key performance indicators (KPI) such as First Time Right (FTR), customer feedback/complaints and corrective actions, and present the information to management which includes annual management review.
• Conduct audits: internal to implementation of the QMS and standards and technical audits (in partnership with engineering team members).
• Stays informed of developments concerning ISO standards.

EHS Essential Functions

• Provide support for the day-to-day management of the environmental health, safety, and risk management programs.
• Perform auditing and regulatory recordkeeping/reporting, permit renewals, OSHA, EPA and fire code compliance, injury and event investigations, safety violations.
• Keep informed of developments concerning OSHA related regulations that affect the EHS considerations for operations.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor department records, manifests and reports that pertain to environmental health and safety as required by law.
• Investigate and prepare incident reports for near misses, accidents, and injuries. Communicate with affected employees, managers, HR, and Director of Safety.
• Active involvement in injury and illness case management.
• Audit hazardous materials management programs, perform weekly inspections of hazardous waste collection areas and coordinate hazardous waste pick‑ups when needed.
• Coordinate vendors and establish protocols and guidelines to address and find solutions for environmental health or safety issues impacting students, faculty, and staff.
• Identify environmental health and safety hazards and working conditions and take appropriate action.
• Develop relationships with departments across Site to bolster a Safety Culture
• Primary contact and safety resource for site.
• Coordinate and facilitate Safety Committee meetings to review injury and safety reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience with ISO related quality mgmt systems, accreditation, certification, and maintenance.
• Experience in participating in quality investigations, undertaking true cause analysis, developing corrective action plans, and ensuring the effectiveness of actions undertaken.
• Experience participating in a multi-functional team.
• This is an onsite role in a lab. Occasional travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing a team of quality and/or safety professionals.
• Experience in an Environmental Regulatory related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field or equivalent.
• Experience in the Aerospace and/or defense industry.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must be a high-energy self-starter with the ability to work effectively with all levels of the EUSSD organization as well as State/Federal Agencies.
• Highly dependable, efficient, and detail orientated, with the ability to use initiative and make decisions autonomously.
• Ability to adjust to changing priorities, multi-task, thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic work environment.
• Good understanding of MS Office software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Proficiency in quality management software and tools (eQMS).
• Proficiency in conducting data analysis and reporting statistics.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to enforce high-quality standards.
• Excellent supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to train new employees.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EEO Policy Statement:

It is the policy of Element US Space & Defense to offer Equal Employment Opportunity to all individuals without regards to race, creed, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.