Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Quality Manager

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions • $95K — $115K *
Bristow, OK 74010In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Quality Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 6+ years in aerospace/defense production quality roles, preferably in engine or production environments.
  • Strong knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and aerospace production quality systems.
  • Experience implementing or managing TIPQA, TIPSFE, or similar manufacturing quality platforms.
  • Proficiency with quality engineering tools such as FMEA, control plans, RCA, SPC, and APQP.

Responsibilities

  • Build and manage shop floor quality processes and standards.
  • Develop and deploy TIPQA and TIPSFE quality workflows.
  • Lead integration of TIPQA/TIPSFE with Costpoint.
  • Establish end-to-end quality documentation for production operations.
  • Drive shop floor quality culture through daily engagement with technicians.

Benefits

  • Mentorship and training opportunities for professional development.
  • Opportunity to lead and shape a quality team in a dynamic environment.
  • Exposure to a highly regulated aerospace field enhancing career credibility.
Full Job Description
This role is restricted to U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain/maintain security clearance. BladeWorks will require proof of status prior to employment .

General Job Summary:

The Quality Manager is responsible for establishing, implementing, and managing all production quality systems at the BladeWorks engine assembly and test facility. This role will serve as the primary architect of shop floor quality processes, including development of TIPQA and TIPSFE workflows, creation of complete engine production quality procedures, and integration of systems with Costpoint as a key milestone for the first year. Working hands-on with production, engineering, and systems teams, this leader ensures all quality requirements are met or exceeded in a fast-paced, highly regulated aerospace environment.

Essential Job Functions:
  • Build, implement, and manage all shop floor quality processes and standards for engine assembly and testing operations.
  • Develop and deploy full TIPQA and TIPSFE quality workflows, including nonconformance management, corrective actions, inspection plans, and production quality gates.
  • Lead the integration of TIPQA/TIPSFE with Costpoint (part tracking, serial number control, quality records, and process linkage).
  • Build and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) for production operations.
  • Establish end-to-end quality documentation including procedures, work instructions, inspection criteria, and control plans for the production facility.
  • Implement robust engine production quality processes aligned with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer requirements, and internal standards.
  • Drive shop floor quality culture, ensuring consistent execution of quality expectations through daily engagement with assembly, instrumentation, and test technicians.
  • Streamline nonconformance and defect reporting processes; reduce manual data entry and create automated workflows where practical.
  • Lead root-cause analysis, corrective action, and preventive action activities for production issues.
  • Work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure quality is embedded in build sequences, tooling, and design-for-quality practices.
  • Create shop floor metrics for defect rates, rework, escapes, first-pass yield, process stability, and equipment compliance.
  • Support readiness and compliance for internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
  • Mentor and train technicians and leads on quality processes, inspection techniques, and documentation accuracy.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the shop floor using Lean, Six Sigma, and statistical methods.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: Yes, will lead quality team.

  • Strong knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and aerospace production quality systems.
  • Experience implementing or managing TIPQA, TIPSFE, or similar manufacturing quality platforms.
  • Experience with Costpoint or other ERP systems, including quality or manufacturing data integration.
  • Proficiency with quality engineering tools such as FMEA, control plans, RCA, SPC, and APQP.
  • Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing quality procedures in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability environments.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and inspection criteria.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
  • Strong communication and leadership abilities; comfortable working on shop floor daily.
  • Continuous improvement mindset with a collaborative, hands-on approach.
  • Experience with gas turbine or complex mechanical assembly operations preferred.
  • NDT or special process exposure is a plus.

Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Quality Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 6+ years in aerospace/defense production quality roles, preferably in engine or production environments.
  • Experience managing quality inspection teams & supplier quality teams.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements:
  • Office and manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to stand, walk, and work on the shop floor for extended periods.
  • Ability to perform repetitive motions (keyboarding, tools, instrumentation handling).
  • Occasional lifting of components/equipment as required for inspections.

Work Location:
  • Based in Bristow, Oklahoma, with close partnership and alignment with the Jupiter, FL facility.

Travel Requirements:
  • Strong connection to Jupiter, FL facility - will be working onsite in Jupiter extensively during the first year of employment requiring travel.
  • Travel to supplier & vendor facilities will be required.
  • Estimated travel percentage: 25% - 40%

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ
KTOS
* Ladders Estimates

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