The
Quality Manager will lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of a comprehensive quality management system supporting our engineering, science, custom hardware development, integration, testing, and mission services.
The ideal candidate combines experience establishing quality systems with a hands-on approach to implementation. This role will help teams incorporate quality into daily work, provide clear expectations and training, and hold teams accountable for meeting established requirements.
This is an on-site position in Lexington, Kentucky. Travel will be required for launches, partner integrations, and mission support.
Key Responsibilities- Assess existing quality practices and lead the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of a comprehensive quality management system.
- Develop practical policies, procedures, and documentation controls that incorporate applicable industry, customer, and contractual requirements.
- Partner with project teams to establish quality plans, reviews, inspection and test requirements, traceability, and acceptance criteria appropriate to each project's scope and risk.
- Lead nonconformance management, root cause investigations, and corrective actions, ensuring issues are resolved before affected work proceeds or deliverables are released.
- Oversee supplier quality, inspection practices, and applicable handling and contamination controls.
- Train employees, integrate quality practices into daily work, and hold teams accountable for following established requirements.
- Lead audits, monitor quality performance, and report risks and improvement priorities to leadership.
- Implement and improve digital quality workflows using Epsilon3 or comparable software and ensure consistent adoption across teams.
Requirements
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required: - 5+ years of quality experience in engineering services, research and development, systems integration, custom hardware, or similar technical environments.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, or related technical field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated experience establishing or substantially improving a quality management system, including developing procedures and driving implementation.
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100, with experience leading audits, nonconformance management, and corrective actions.
- Ability to interpret technical documentation and establish appropriate quality controls for varied customer projects.
- Strong communication, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to collaborate across teams and enforce requirements.
Preferred: - Experience implementing or using Epsilon3 or comparable digital quality and procedure management tools.
- Experience building quality systems in a small or growing organization.
- Experience supporting spaceflight hardware, payload development, or NASA/customer quality requirements.
- Experience preparing an organization for ISO 9001 or AS9100 certification.
- Relevant ASQ certification or lead auditor training.
Interpersonal Skills - Proactive and comfortable turning broad goals into clear priorities and completed actions.
- Collaborative and approachable, with the confidence to challenge decisions and enforce requirements respectfully.
- Practical in developing processes that support reliable execution and fit the complexity of the work.
- Organized and consistent in following issues through resolution.
- Clear communicator who can explain requirements and work effectively with engineers, scientists, technicians, and leadership.
