Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation’s space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission-critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high-performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.
As the Quality Manager, you lead all quality assurance, quality engineering, and compliance activities for a single-site, AS9100‑certified manufacturing operation. You guide the Quality Management System (QMS), support engineering and manufacturing teams, and ensure mission‑ready products that meet customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements. This role blends strategic leadership with hands‑on involvement to drive product quality, program reliability, and customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities
- Owns, maintains, and improves the AS9100‑certified Quality Management System.
- Ensures compliance with customer, contractual, and regulatory quality requirements.
- Leads internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions, and document control activities.
- Serves as the primary interface for third‑party, customer, and government quality audits.
- Drives quality integration across design, development, manufacturing, test, delivery, and sustainment.
- Partners with Engineering on design reviews, risk management, configuration control, and change management.
- Oversees First Article Inspection (AS9102), nonconformance management, Material Review Board activity, and root cause corrective actions.
- Supports manufacturing through process control, inspection effectiveness, and production readiness.
- Manages supplier quality activities, including flow down, qualification, performance monitoring, and corrective actions.
- Leads and mentors the quality inspection and metrology team.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical field.
- 8–12 years of quality experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
- Demonstrated ownership of an AS9100‑certified Quality Management System, including audit leadership.
- Experience supporting both design and manufacturing in a defense environment.
- Experience with supplier quality management and supplier corrective action.
- Working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5 and dimensional inspection methods.
- Ability and willingness to be hands‑on in a small‑company environment.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
- This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
- Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
M-F 8am-5pm