Job OverviewLockheed Martin is seeking an experienced Associate Quality Assurance Manager to support the Quality and Mission Success organization on our Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services (SOF GLSS) contract at Bluegrass Station in Lexington, KY. This critical program directly supports U.S. service members deployed worldwide, rapidly equipping the SOF community and warfighters with advanced, reliable rotary-wing mission systems.
Key Responsibilities- Provide direct leadership and operational oversight to Quality Inspectors and QA personnel supporting Rotary Wing Aviation programs.
- Establish compliant inspection rhythms, shift schedules, standard inspection procedures, and an accountable quality culture.
- Build quality directly into aircraft modification, repair, and maintenance processes.
- Drive zero-escape inspection rigor for all safety-of-flight systems and assemblies.
- Supervise and control RED-X conditions, critical in-process verifications, and final aircraft acceptance buy-offs.
- Enforce strict adherence to technical data, engineering drawings, and ground operating procedures.
- Serve as a primary quality liaison with the Defense Contract Management Agency for government mandatory product inspections and foreign object final closeouts requirements.
- Plan, execute, and oversee internal and program quality audits to ensure strict compliance with Task Order Performance Work Statements, AS9100/AS9110 aerospace standards, and enterprise Quality Management Systems.
- Manage the end-to-end Root Cause and Corrective Action process to identify systemic causes and implement permanent corrective solutions.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report on established program KPIs to identify defect trends and drive down cost of poor quality.
- Partner with program operations to implement continuous improvement initiatives that eliminate operational waste, reduce scrap and rework, and enhance first-pass yield.
Lexington is situated in the heart of the Bluegrass region and is Kentucky's second-largest city, renowned as the "Horse Capital of the World." The area offers an exceptional quality of life, excellent public and private schools, and a growing defense and technology industry.
- Louisville, KY is approximately 75 to 80 minutes to the west via I-64.
- Cincinnati, OH is approximately 90 minutes to the north via I-75.
- Indianapolis, IN is approximately 3 hours to the northwest.
- Nashville, TN is approximately 3.5 hours to the southwest.
Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in a technical, engineering, or quality discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and direct professional experience in aviation maintenance, modification, or depot-level processes.
- Substantial professional experience within aviation operations; background in rotary-wing aircraft environments is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience managing quality inspectors, flight-line inspection teams, or aviation maintenance personnel.
- Proven track record of fostering a collaborative, proactive, and accountability-focused quality culture.
- Demonstrated capability to utilize data and established KPIs to manage priorities, make sound technical decisions, and provide clear operational guidance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for data analysis, visual reporting, and executive briefings.
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active Secret security clearance.
Desired Skills- Direct quality oversight experience on military rotary-wing platforms; Experience with SOF configured aircraft is a plus.
- Direct working experience interfacing with DCMA personnel and government Quality Assurance Specialists (QAS/QAR).
- In-depth knowledge and auditing experience with AS9110 (MRO), AS9100, and ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- Demonstrated experience managing non-conforming materials, Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions, and root cause investigations.
- Practical experience with Lean Six Sigma methodologies and structured continuous improvement initiatives.
- Proven experience leading a Corrective Action Board (CAB) and driving cross-functional resolution of critical systemic defect and compliance issues.
- Working knowledge of Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and Government-Owned/Contractor-Operated (GOCO) facility operations.
- Experience with Production and Quality modules in SAP S4 HANA
- Proficiency in BOE (Basis of Estimate), estimating, budgeting, and earned value management (EVM)
- Ability to travel, as required
Pay InformationFull-Time Salary Range: $94400.00 - $175200.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
