Quality Systems Leader Location: Northern Virginia Employment Type: Full-Time The Opportunity A growing aerospace organization is seeking an experienced Quality Systems Leader to establish, develop and execute quality systems supporting advanced aircraft manufacturing. This is a highly hands-on position combining quality-system leadership with direct involvement on the manufacturing floor. You will help develop scalable processes as aircraft programs transition from prototype development toward repeatable production. Key Responsibilities Develop, implement and continuously improve an aerospace Quality Management System (QMS) supporting aircraft manufacturing and production readiness. Establish quality procedures covering receiving inspection, in-process inspection, First Article Inspection (FAI), final acceptance and product traceability . Lead nonconformance, MRB, root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action activities. Conduct hands-on inspections, internal audits, quality investigations and manufacturing-floor reviews. Establish and manage supplier quality requirements, supplier assessments, nonconformances and corrective actions. Maintain quality records, configuration control, documentation and traceability throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. Support applicable aviation certification, regulatory and production-approval activities. Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement and supply-chain teams to embed quality into aircraft development and production. Requirements 7+ years of aerospace quality engineering or quality-management experience within a manufacturing environment. Hands-on experience developing and implementing quality systems , rather than solely auditing established systems. Experience supporting the manufacture of aircraft, aircraft components or certified aviation products . Strong knowledge of AS9100 and AS9102 / First Article Inspection principles. Experience with receiving/in-process inspection, nonconformance management, corrective action, root-cause analysis and quality records. Strong understanding of configuration management and manufacturing traceability. Ability to operate independently and take ownership of quality initiatives. Strong communication skills with the ability to work across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers and leadership. Preferred Experience Experience within a small-to-medium aerospace manufacturer or startup , particularly involving prototype-to-production transitions, would be highly beneficial. Aircraft manufacturing, supplier quality, regulatory certification, internal/lead auditing and experience establishing quality processes for a growing manufacturing operation are also desirable. This position would suit someone who enjoys building quality systems from the ground up while remaining directly involved with the aircraft, hardware and manufacturing teams. Interested? If you're an experienced aerospace quality professional who enjoys building quality systems from the ground up and working hands-on with aircraft manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you! Apply NOW below or get in touch for a conversation to learn more about the opportunity.