Senior Quality Assurance Manager - Aerospace - Direct Hire

Advantage Technical; Franklin (MA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Technical seeks a Senior Manager of Enterprise Quality to lead a high‑impact quality organization supporting multiple complex programs. This role sets the strategic direction, drives quality performance, and ensures alignment with business goals and customer expectations.

The ideal candidate excels at building high‑performing teams, driving systemic improvements, and partnering cross‑functionally to elevate quality culture across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 10+ years of experience.
• OR 14+ years of aerospace quality/engineering experience without a degree.
• Proven experience leading multiple programs simultaneously.
• Demonstrated leadership in: Budget ownership.
• Experience as a senior leader, team lead, or technical authority.
• Strong organizational leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Set Quality Culture — establish vision and operating rhythm for enterprise program quality.
• Build an environment where the Quality team can succeed and grow.
• Lead quality-related training strategy, priorities, and development initiatives.
• Manage and develop Program Quality Engineering leaders and engineers.
• Conduct performance reviews and succession planning.
• Oversee staffing models aligned with program demand and budgets.
• Own quality performance across multiple programs and drive improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Serve as senior quality representative during customer meetings and reviews.
• Establish standardized quality dashboards and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Budget ownership

Program leadership

Quality management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

STEM degree required

Job description

Advantage Technical is seeking a Senior Manager of Enterprise Quality to lead a high‑impact quality organization supporting multiple complex programs. This role is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the enterprise quality function, driving quality performance across programs, and ensuring alignment with business goals, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements.

This is a senior‑level leadership role ideal for someone who excels at building high‑performing teams, driving systemic quality improvements, and partnering cross‑functionally to elevate quality culture across an organization.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Set Quality Culture — Establish the vision, strategy, and operating rhythm for enterprise program quality.
• Build an environment where the Quality team can succeed and grow.
• Lead quality‑related training strategy, priorities, and development initiatives.

Team & Resource Management

• Manage and develop Program Quality Engineering leaders and engineers.
• Conduct performance reviews, career development planning, and succession planning.
• Establish staffing models aligned with program demand, SIOP forecasts, and budget constraints.
• Oversee personnel administration and HR‑related responsibilities for the quality team.

Program Quality Ownership

• Own quality performance across multiple programs and drive:
• COPQ reduction strategies
• Systemic RCCA initiatives
• Define program quality priorities that support Estimate‑at‑Completion (EAC) and Estimate‑to‑Completion (ETC) objectives.
• Provide quality inputs into AOP, forecasts, and program risk registers.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Program Management, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to resolve systemic quality issues.
• Serve as the senior quality representative during customer meetings, executive reviews, and program updates.

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Establish standardized quality operating rhythms, KPI dashboards, and review boards (CAB, QORs).
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, internal QMS requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Manage quality labor budgets and travel budgets for supplier and program support.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 10+ years of experience
• OR 14+ years of aerospace quality/engineering experience without a degree
• Proven experience leading multiple programs simultaneously
• Demonstrated leadership in:
• Budget ownership
• Experience as a senior leader, team lead, or technical authority
• Strong organizational leadership capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience overseeing strategic program quality initiatives
• Strong financial and business alignment skills
• Experience interfacing with executive leadership and customers
• Background in process governance and quality systems