Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Job Summary:

ESAero is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead our Quality Assurance organization. In this role, you will manage the teams responsible for ensuring product quality across the full production lifecycle, including Quality Engineers, Supplier Quality Engineers, and Quality Technicians. You will drive quality planning, technical problem‑solving, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure our products meet customer requirements and internal standards. This position blends strategic leadership with day‑to‑day operational oversight to strengthen product reliability, manufacturing capability, and overall quality performance. 

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance team, building strong technical capability and fostering a collaborative, solutions‑oriented environment. 

• Oversee quality assurance activities across engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing to ensure requirements are understood, implemented, and consistently achieved. 

• Ensure product quality activities such as inspections, verifications, and validations are executed in accordance with internal procedures and customer specifications. 

• Oversee supplier quality activities, including supplier qualification, incoming material verification, and ongoing supplier performance management. 

• Ensure inspection resources, measurement systems, and quality tools are properly maintained and effectively utilized. 

• Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to influence designs for manufacturability, clarify requirements, and support robust production planning.  

• Monitor quality performance trends, including defects, nonconformances, supplier issues, and process capability, and use data to guide improvement efforts. 

• Prepare clear, data‑driven reports that communicate product quality performance, inspection outcomes, and key quality trends to leadership. 

• Work closely with the Quality Compliance team to support both internal and external audit activities. 

• Support structured problem‑solving and corrective action initiatives, ensuring root causes are identified and sustainable solutions are implemented. 

• Identify opportunities to enhance product quality, strengthen processes, increase efficiency, and reduce variation across value streams. 

• Promote a proactive quality culture that emphasizes prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. 

Required Qualifications and Skills: 

• Minimum 7 years of experience in a quality-related role, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity. 

• Strong expertise in ISO 9001, AS9100, and similar QMS frameworks. 

• Familiarity with statistical quality tools (SPC, process capability, sampling plans). 

• Experience with PFMEAs, control plans, and risk‑based quality planning. 

• Experience developing supplier quality strategies and managing supplier improvement initiatives. 

• Ability to evaluate supplier manufacturing processes and quality controls. 

• Strong organizational planning skills, including resource allocation and workload balancing within highly dynamic environments. 

• Background in aerospace or a similar highly regulated technical industry. 

• Excellent written communication and documentation skills. 

• Familiarity with advanced inspection technologies, quality metrics, and digital quality tools. 

Desired Qualifications and Skills: 

• 10+ years of experience in a quality‑related role, with 5+ years of leadership experience. 

• Advanced understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, composites, wiring, molding, casting, electronics, assembly etc.). 

• Strong knowledge of GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation. 

• Experience leading product quality initiatives across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain functions. 

• Proficiency with AS9100‑aligned quality assurance tools and methodologies. 

• AS9100 internal auditor training. 

• CMQ/OE, CQE, CQA certifications. 

• IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001 certifications. 

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks

• Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families. 

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off. 

• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families. 

• Supplemental Coverage: Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage. 

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Take advantage of a tax-advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses. 

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match to support your financial future. 

• Paid Holidays: Enjoy 9 paid holidays throughout the year. 

• Work Environment: A casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture. 

• Ideal Location: Work in an area that offers an outstanding quality of life - a perfect place to live, work, and play! 

Company Overview: 

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services. 

At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel  

the aerospace industry forward. 

**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA** 

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ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.  
E-Verify participation required for employment.  
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.     
Must be able to pass background check and drug test.    
Pay Range: $ 120k-$160k Salary Exempt