DIRECTOR OF QUALITY & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Miltope Corporation is seeking an experienced aerospace quality and regulatory compliance executive to lead the company's Quality organization and ensure continued compliance with applicable Department of War, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and customer requirements. This position has responsibility for the development, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of the company's quality management systems supporting but not limited to: • FAA Part 21 Production Approval operations. • FAA Part 145 Certified Repair Station operations. • EASA Part 145 Approved Maintenance Organization operations. The Director of Quality & Regulatory Compliance will serve as the senior independent authority for quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and quality system effectiveness across production and repair station operations. Reporting directly to the CEO/President, this individual will work closely with executive leadership, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Repair Station management to ensure that regulatory requirements are understood, implemented, monitored, and consistently maintained. The successful candidate must possess the leadership capabilities to establish an effective quality culture while maintaining the technical knowledge and operational experience necessary to engage directly in regulatory matters, audits, investigations, and corrective action activities. Key Responsibilities Regulatory Compliance and Quality System Leadership • Maintain overall responsibility for the effectiveness and compliance of Miltope's quality management systems supporting FAA Part 21 Production Approval and FAA/EASA Part 145 Repair Station operations. • Ensure compliance with applicable FAA regulations, including 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, and 145, and applicable EASA Part-145 requirements. • Maintain and oversee the implementation of applicable Quality Manuals, Repair Station Manuals, Quality Control Manuals, and associated procedures. • Ensure that regulatory requirements, approved procedures, and customer-specific quality requirements are effectively communicated and implemented throughout the organization. • Maintain awareness of regulatory changes and evaluate their impact on company operations, procedures, and approvals. • Serve as the primary Quality organization representative in regulatory compliance matters and coordinate with designated Accountable Managers and regulatory authorities. • Ensure that organizational responsibilities, delegated authorities, and quality reporting relationships are clearly defined and maintained. FAA and EASA Regulatory Oversight • Oversee the company's compliance with FAA Production Approval requirements, including organizational controls, production conformity, quality assurance, and product traceability. • Oversee FAA Part 145 Repair Station quality control activities, ensuring compliance with the Repair Station Manual, Quality Control Manual, and applicable Operations Specifications. • Ensure EASA Part-145 compliance monitoring requirements are effectively implemented and maintained. • Ensure the designated EASA Compliance Monitoring Manager has the necessary independence, authority, resources, and organizational access to perform assigned responsibilities. • Coordinate regulatory inspections, audits, surveillance activities, and responses to FAA and EASA findings. • Maintain effective working relationships with FAA and EASA representatives and other applicable regulatory authorities. • Ensure timely notification, investigation, and resolution of reportable quality and regulatory issues. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement • Establish and maintain an effective internal audit program covering production, repair station operations, suppliers, and supporting business functions. • Ensure timely identification, documentation, investigation, and resolution of nonconformances and audit findings. • Establish and maintain an effective corrective and preventive action (CAPA) process, including root cause analysis and verification of corrective action effectiveness. • Monitor quality performance metrics, identify adverse trends, and drive improvement initiatives. • Ensure appropriate controls for material acceptance, inspection, product conformity, nonconforming material, configuration management, calibration, and quality records. • Oversee supplier quality management and ensure appropriate qualification, monitoring, and corrective action processes. • Drive a culture of quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance throughout the organization. Organizational Leadership and Executive Accountability • Report directly to the CEO/President and provide regular updates regarding regulatory compliance, quality performance, significant risks, and corrective action activities. • Maintain independence from Manufacturing, Operations, and Repair Station production functions when performing quality oversight and compliance monitoring activities. • Have authority to escalate significant quality and regulatory compliance concerns directly to executive leadership. • Establish appropriate quality-related authority, including the ability to initiate product or maintenance holds and prevent release or return to service when applicable requirements have not been satisfied, consistent with approved procedures and delegated authority. • Partner with functional leaders to ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained. • Lead, develop, and mentor the Quality organization to ensure appropriate technical competency, staffing, and succession planning. • Provide executive management with objective assessments of the effectiveness of the company's quality systems and regulatory compliance posture. Required Qualifications and Experience • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Aviation, or a related technical discipline preferred. Equivalent education and relevant aerospace industry experience will be considered. • Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in defense or aerospace quality assurance, regulatory compliance, manufacturing quality, or aviation maintenance quality. • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing a quality organization or regulatory compliance function. • Demonstrated experience working within an FAA-regulated aerospace manufacturing organization holding a Part 21 Production Approval. • Direct experience with FAA Part 145 Repair Station quality systems and regulatory requirements. • Working knowledge of EASA Part-145 requirements, including compliance monitoring and organizational independence requirements. • Demonstrated experience managing regulatory audits, responding to regulatory findings, and coordinating corrective actions with FAA, EASA, and customer representatives. • Strong knowledge of aerospace quality management systems, including AS9100, AS9110, or equivalent standards. • Demonstrated experience with root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action systems, supplier quality, and continuous improvement. • Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into practical organizational procedures and controls. • Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. • Ability to effectively communicate with executive leadership, regulatory authorities, customers, and employees at all organizational levels. Preferred Qualifications • Experience overseeing multiple regulatory approvals or certifications within a single organization. • Experience with both aerospace manufacturing and component repair/maintenance operations. • Experience serving as or directly supporting a Part 21 Accountable Manager, FAA Part 145 Accountable Manager, or EASA Compliance Monitoring Manager. • Experience with AS9100/AS9110 certification audits and aerospace customer audits. • Experience implementing and maintaining risk-based quality systems and safety management processes. • Experience managing quality organizations across multiple facilities or operating locations. Leadership Attributes The successful candidate will demonstrate: • Independence, integrity, and the willingness to address difficult quality and regulatory issues. • The ability to influence executive leadership and operational management. • Strong technical judgment and an understanding of aviation product safety and airworthiness. • A proactive approach to identifying risks and preventing compliance issues rather than simply reacting to audit findings. • The ability to balance regulatory requirements with practical business and operational considerations. • A hands-on leadership style, with the willingness to engage in the details when necessary. Measures of Success Success in this position will be demonstrated by: • Sustained compliance with FAA Part 21 Production Approval requirements. • Continued compliance with FAA and EASA Part 145 Repair Station requirements. • Successful completion of regulatory, customer, and third-party audits. • Timely and effective resolution of audit findings and corrective actions. • Effective quality system performance and reduction of recurring nonconformances. • Strong organizational understanding of quality responsibilities and regulatory requirements. • An independent, empowered Quality organization that supports business performance while protecting product conformity, airworthiness, and regulatory compliance.