Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager

Job Title: Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager (Aerospace / Precision Machining)

Department: Quality

Reports To: General Manager / Director of Operations

Location: Southampton, MA

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

Responsible for leading the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensuring compliance with aerospace, defense, and customer requirements. Oversees ISO 9001 / AS9100 certifications, audits, inspection processes, documentation, and traceability within a precision machining or aerospace manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• QMS & Continuous Improvement
• Manage and improve the QMS in compliance with ISO 9001 and AS9100.
• Maintain procedures, work instructions, and document control.
• Lead CAPA, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Track and report quality performance metrics.

Certification & Compliance

• Maintain ISO 9001 / AS9100 certifications and audit readiness.
• Coordinate third-party and customer audits.
• Ensure compliance with customer flow-downs and contract requirements.
• Monitor and implement regulatory/standards updates.
• Aerospace & Defense Quality
• Ensure compliance with AS9102 FAIRs, traceability, and special process controls.
• Support ITAR/EAR and DFARS requirements as applicable.
• Maintain material, process, and certification records.
• Coordinate with NADCAP-approved suppliers.

Inspection & Production Support

• Oversee inspections to drawings, GD&T, and specifications.
• Manage calibration of inspection equipment.
• Control travelers/routers and in-process/final inspection records.
• Support production in resolving nonconformances.

Audits & Supplier Quality

• Conduct internal audits and manage corrective actions.
• Support supplier qualification, monitoring, and audits.
• Ensure timely closure of audit findings.

Customer Quality

• Interface with customers on quality issues and audits.
• Manage portal submissions and reporting.
• Oversee FAIRs, PPAPs, and required documentation.

Training & Leadership

Train staff on quality and compliance procedures.

Promote a culture of quality and traceability.

Advise production, engineering, and purchasing on requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years in aerospace, defense, or precision machining quality.
• Experience with ISO 9001 / AS9100 systems.
• Proficiency in GD&T, blueprint reading, audits, and root cause analysis.

Preferred

• CQE, CQA, or ASQ certification.
• CNC machining / precision manufacturing experience.
• ERP / QMS system familiarity (Epicor a plus).
• Experience with aerospace primes or Tier suppliers.

Skills & Competencies

• Analytical problem-solving.
• Strong documentation and organization.
• Effective auditor/customer communication.
• Detail-oriented with regulatory focus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Work Environment & Metrics

• Office and shop-floor presence.
• Interaction with production, suppliers, and customers.
• Occasional audit/customer travel.

Success Measured By:

• Certification maintenance.
• Audit results and corrective action closure.
• Reduced nonconformances.
• On-time FAIRs and documentation.
• Supplier and customer quality performance.