Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and strategic
Director of Quality to join our growing team in San Diego. At Firestorm Labs, we are building the future of distributed, mission-adaptive airpower for the modern warfighter. In your leadership position you will be responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and standards for quality across the entire product lifecycle, from supplier to customer delivery.
You will build and own Firestorm's quality management system, lead the company to AS9100 compliance and certification, and grow the quality team from a small core into Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Inspection functions. You will also scale quality systems to support rapid production growth across our products and sites worldwide, serve as the primary quality interface with defense customers and auditors, and build a culture where quality is owned by every team. In addition, you will report to the VP of Manufacturing while quality processes and systems are being established, and will lead an independent quality organization ahead of AS9100 certification.
What You'll Do - Quality strategy and leadership: This is the core of the role. You'll define the quality vision, objectives, and roadmap for Firestorm, and align quality priorities with production ramp, program commitments, and business growth.
- Team building: Lead, hire, and develop the quality organization, including Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Inspection, with clear expectations and a path for growth.
- QMS and AS9100: Own Firestorm's path to AS9100 in its entirety. Build a quality management system that serves all of Firestorm worldwide, reach AS9100 compliance within your first 90 days, and lead the company through certification. This includes document control, internal audits, management review, and certification audits.
- Supplier quality strategy: Set the standards for supplier selection, qualification, audits, and performance monitoring, and ensure suppliers are held accountable through corrective action and scorecards.
- Corrective action system: Own a closed-loop NCMR, MRB, and RCCA process, ensuring root causes are verified and corrective actions are effective before closure.
- Quality by design: Partner with engineering, NPI, and manufacturing to ensure quality is designed in, not inspected in, through APQP, PFMEA, control plans, first article inspection, and ECO implementation.
- Customer and regulatory interface: Serve as the primary quality point of contact for customers, government representatives, and third-party auditors, and ensure compliance with contractual, flow-down, and regulatory agency requirements across our production and flight test locations.
- Metrics and reporting: Define the quality KPIs that matter (DPPM, first pass yield, cost of poor quality, CAR closure), and report performance and risk to executive leadership.
- Measurement systems: Ensure inspection, calibration, and measurement systems (MSA, gage R&R) keep pace with production ramp and an evolving product line.
- Continuous improvement: Drive continuous improvement and a culture of quality ownership across Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering.
- Audits and inspections: Lead customer source inspections, certification audits, and regulatory audits.
- Perform other duties as needed.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related discipline). In lieu of a degree, 20 years of progressive experience in discipline.
- 'U.S. Person' as defined by 22 CFR a7 120.62 required due to ITAR regulations, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), or protected individuals under asylee or refugee status
- 15+ years of progressive quality experience in an aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing environment.
- 5+ years leading quality teams, including managing engineers, inspectors, and/or managers.
- Experience building and implementing an AS9100 or equivalent quality management system from the ground up and taking it through certification.
- Experience leading AS9100 certification, customer, and/or regulatory audits.
- Experience managing supplier quality programs, including audits, corrective action (SCARs), and supplier development.
- Strong command of quality tools and methodologies: RCCA (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone), APQP, FMEA, control plans, SPC, and MSA.
- Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence cross-functional leaders, suppliers, and customers.
Preferred Qualifications - AS9100 Lead Auditor certification.
- ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
- Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement training.
- Experience with DoD contract quality requirements and supporting DCMA, customer, and other regulatory agency audits.
- Experience with unmanned systems, electromechanical assemblies, or mixed hardware/software builds.
- Experience managing quality across multiple sites, including international locations.
- Experience implementing digital quality tools, eQMS, or MES platforms.
- Startup or high-growth company experience.
Work Environment - Position is working onsite at our headquarters in San Diego, CA.
- Travel up to 20%, including traveling to domestic and international sites.
- We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating. Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
Compensation- Base Salary: $175,000 - $210,000 base, commensurate with experience
- Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company
The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.
Benefits & PerksOur culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative, and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in looking after our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
- We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
- Equity grants for new hires
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July & December.
- Generous parental leave
- Lifestyle Spending Account
- FSA
- DCFSA
- HSA
- Hospital Indemnity insurance
- Critical Illness insurance
- Accident insurance
- Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
- Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
Export Control ComplianceTo conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce. Because this position requires a security clearance, U.S. citizenship is required.
