Position purpose
The Head of Quality - Actuators (f/m/d) is the operational quality leader for hardware execution. The role is accountable for product quality, supplier quality, incoming inspection, testing quality, non-conformance handling, RCCA execution and release readiness. The role is deliberately separated from QMS ownership, EN 9100 governance, certification management and document-control governance.
Key responsibilities
Lead the operational quality organization including Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering / SQA and Quality Inspection / Technician functions.
Ensure product quality across manufacturing, integration, verification, acceptance testing, qualification testing and customer delivery.
Own operational NCR handling, containment, RCCA execution, effectiveness verification and escalation of repeated or critical defects.
Own operational quality risk management including quarantine, stop-ship, product release recommendation and MRB-related decisions as defined internally.
Drive supplier quality execution, supplier escalation, supplier corrective actions, incoming inspection performance and supplier readiness.
Ensure receiving inspection, CoC / certificate verification, traceability checks and hardware release status are controlled and reliable.
Ensure test failures and test anomalies are captured, assessed and closed through controlled operational quality processes.
Report operational quality status, blocked hardware, supplier escalations, customer-impacting issues and repeat defects to the COO.
Operational scope
Product Quality: FAI execution, product release readiness, internal non-conformances and manufacturing / integration quality risks.
Supplier Quality: supplier NCRs, supplier RCCA, supplier escalations, supplier audits and incoming supplier performance.
Incoming Quality: execution of receiving inspection, documentation completeness, traceability verification and quarantine control.
Testing Quality: acceptance and qualification test evidence, test anomaly quality handling and quality release of test evidence.
People Leadership: resource planning, priorities, development and performance management of the operational quality team.
Candidate background
Experienced quality leader with an aerospace, space hardware, precision manufacturing, electronics, or other regulated hardware background.
Extensive experience in operational quality management, supplier quality, NCR/RCCA processes, incoming inspection, test quality, and quality release activities.
Leadership experience
Strong knowledge of EN9100/AS9100 principles, FAI, traceability, and supplier quality management
Strong communication skills, a hands-on leadership style, and a proven ability to drive continuous improvement (Lean SixSigma Black Belt are a plus) and operational excellence across the organization.
Fluent English, German is a plus.
Eligibility to work in Germany
Skills Required
- Experience as a quality leader in aerospace, space hardware, precision manufacturing, electronics, or other regulated hardware
- Extensive experience in operational quality management, supplier quality, incoming inspection, test quality, quality release activities, and NCR/RCCA processes
- Leadership experience including resource planning, development, and performance management of operational quality teams
- Strong knowledge of EN9100/AS9100 principles, FAI, traceability, and supplier quality management
- Hands-on leadership style, strong communication skills, and ability to drive continuous improvement
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Fluent English
- German language skills
- Eligibility to work in Germany
What We Do
Dcubed is a German NewSpace company that develops and manufactures high-performance release actuators, mechanisms, and deployable structures for a wide range of space applications. Their mission is to make space engineering and exploration easy and accessible by providing lighter, more affordable, and reliable hardware, enabling customers to focus on exploration.
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