Senior Director Quality

Leonardo DRS; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 262,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Leonardo DRS in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Director Quality to lead quality across sites, ensure a preventive QMS, and interface with customers and auditors.

You will direct quality operations for manufacturing and test, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement with a strong focus on supplier quality and governance. This role requires DOD clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive quality experience in a regulated manufacturing environment; aerospace/defense experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, communication and writing skills
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100D and ISO 9001 requirements and practical implementation in manufacturing and product realization.
• Proven ability to lead effective corrective action using disciplined problem-solving methods and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a multi-site Quality organization focusing on built-in quality and continuous improvement.
• Own and harmonize a multi-site QMS to ensure AS9100D/ISO 9001 compliance and customer requirements.
• Establish governance for product acceptance and risk management with clear escalation paths.
• Lead internal audits and support audits by customers and government; close findings timely.
• Ensure disciplined problem solving for nonconformances; implement CAPA with verification.
• Oversee site-level processes for nonconforming product control and disposition.
• Direct quality operations for manufacturing and test to improve yield and reduce rework.
• Own supplier quality strategy including qualification, audits, and CAPA with cross-functional teams.
• Define quality objectives and KPIs; lead data-driven management reviews to closure.
• Maintain quality training programs and qualification models for critical roles.
• Develop operating budgets for Quality and optimize resources to meet objectives.
• Communicate quality performance and risks to leadership; advise on system-wide implications.
• Ensure compliance with policies and regulations across Leonardo DRS.

Skills

Executive leadership

Quality leadership

Audits

Statistical analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

AS9100D

ISO 9001

Job description

Senior Director Quality

Location:

San Diego, CA, US, 92127

Job ID: 115509

DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life sciences; and industrial process control. As a mid-IR technology pioneer, Daylight Solutions has delivered more mid-IR systems to more applications world-wide than any other company.

Business Unit: Daylight Solutions

Location: San Diego, CA

Career Functional Area: Quality

Telework Type: Onsite

Relocation Available: Yes

Schedule: 9/80

Shift: First

Job Summary

The Senior Director Quality provides executive leadership for quality across multiple sites, ensuring a prevention-focused Quality Management System (QMS), compliant product realization, and a strong culture of continuous improvement. The role also serves as the primary quality interface with customers and auditors while leading quality systems, quality operations, improvement initiatives, and the overall quality team’s budget, staffing, and performance.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and functionally lead a high-performance Quality organization across multiple sites, driving alignment to built-in quality, risk-based decision-making, and continuous improvement.
• Own, harmonize, and continually improve a multi-site QMS to ensure consistent compliance withAS9100D/ISO 9001, customer contractual requirements, and applicable corporate policies.
• Establish clear quality governance for product acceptance and systemic risk management, including escalation paths and decision rights across functions.
• Lead internal audit programs and lead and support customers, third-party, and government (as applicable)audits; ensure timely, effective closure of audit findings.
• Ensure disciplined problem solving for nonconformances, escapes, and systemic issues; implement robust CAPA with effectiveness verification.
• Oversee and standardize site-level processes for nonconforming product control and disposition (e.g., NCR workflow, material review board governance, containment and prevention).
• Direct quality operations supporting manufacturing and test (incoming, in-process, final inspection/test as applicable) to improve yield, reduce rework/scrap, and prevent escapes.
• Own the Supplier Quality function and strategy, including supplier qualification, performance monitoring, audits/surveillance, and supplier corrective actions; lead supplier quality risk assessment and mitigation, and drive cross-functional supplier capability improvement in partnership with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations.
• Define quality objectives and key quality performance indicators (e.g., escapes, yield, audit findings, CAPA aging, supplier performance, and cost of poor quality such as scrap, rework, returns/field issues), track and communicate performance, and lead data-driven management reviews, including tracking actions to closure.
• Ensure quality training, competency models, and role-based qualifications are established and maintained for quality-critical functions.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for Quality; optimize use of equipment, facilities, and personnel to meet business objectives.
• Maintain effective internal communication regarding quality performance, compliance status, and improvement priorities; advise VP/GM on risks, trends, and system-wide implications.
• Perform all duties in compliance with internal policies and applicable regulations, supporting the mission, values, and culture of Leonardo DRS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive quality experience in a regulated manufacturing environment; aerospace/defense experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, communication and writing skills
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100D and ISO 9001 requirements and practical implementation in manufacturing and product realization.
• Proven ability to lead effective corrective action using disciplined problem-solving methods and statistical analysis.

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The salary range for this position is ($168,507/year- $261,606.00/year). This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

• Integrity
• Agility
• Excellence
• Customer Focus
• Community & Respect
• Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.