Senior Manager Quality & Mission Assurance

We are looking for a seasoned quality leader to build and run our Quality Assurance function in a defense and aerospace environment. As Senior Manager of Quality Assurance & Mission Assurance, you will own the day-to-day execution of our Quality Management System, lead a team of quality professionals, and serve as the primary interface with program management, engineering, manufacturing, and DCMA representatives.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has implemented quality systems, driven compliance programs, and managed teams in high-stakes hardware environments. You will be expected to establish the standards, processes, and culture that ensure we consistently deliver quality products to our customers — and that our organization is always audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of quality engineers and inspectors, setting clear expectations and driving accountability

• Provide hands-on coaching, training, and mentorship on quality standards, tools, and procedures

• Manage workload allocation across the team to support program schedules and priorities

• Report program quality status to senior leadership and program management on a regular cadence

Mission Assurance & Program Quality

• Assure quality, risk management, safety, reliability, and maintainability across programs, subcontractors, and suppliers in accordance with contractual requirements

• Assess program performance and risks; determine and deploy resources to ensure mission assurance objectives are met

• Maintain comprehensive quality metrics and dashboards, incorporating customer and employee feedback to assess performance and drive decisions

• Collaborate with program managers, engineering leads, and DCMA representatives on scheduling, operational decisions, and contractual clarifications

Product & Integration Quality Engineering

• Partner with manufacturing engineering, production, and design engineers to support the quality of production processes for components such as sensors, PCBAs, cables, wiring harnesses, actuators, machined parts, and structures

• Work cross-functionally to define and execute product build and inspection requirements that meet customer quality standards

• Lead the Non-Conformance Review (NCR) process: contain defects, drive corrective actions, and manage KPIs.

• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations, manage Material Review Board (MRB) activities, and own containment strategies for prototype and production builds

• Support incoming inspection processes, integration quality documentation, planning, and effectiveness metrics

  QMS, Compliance & Audit Readiness

• Ensure all QMS and AS9100 practices are implemented, maintained, and followed across the organization

• Develop the organization to a continuous state of audit readiness for internal, customer, and third-party audits

• Oversee quality inspections of incoming materials, in-process components, and finished products

• Maintain and update quality documentation including inspection plans, reports, control charts, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)

• Drive the development and maintenance of End Item Data Packages (EIDPs)

• Ensure compliance with all applicable quality certifications and regulatory standards

Continuous Improvement

• Support the implementation and execution of Continuous Improvement programs across manufacturing and engineering

• Identify recurring quality issues and champion cross-functional resolution to root cause and corrective actions

• Support the development of inspection systems and quality planning in partnership with development engineers

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years of quality assurance/engineering experience in defense, aerospace, or a similarly regulated hardware environment

• 3+ years managing or leading a quality team, with direct supervisory responsibility

• Hands-on experience implementing and maintaining AS9100-compliant QMS

• Demonstrated experience with NCR/MRB processes and RCCA methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or equivalent)

• Familiarity with DCMA oversight processes and experience interfacing with DCMA representatives

• Strong working knowledge of hardware quality disciplines: incoming inspection, in-process inspection, integration quality, and acceptance testing

• Experience developing and maintaining quality documentation, EIDPs, and SOPs

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and communicate clearly with engineering, manufacturing, and program leadership

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience supporting defense program types (CPFF, FFP, T&M) and their associated quality obligations

• Background in developing quality systems for avionics, sensors, and aerospace hardware or similar

• Familiarity with MIL-SPEC, AS9100, or CMMI quality frameworks

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or Six Sigma Black Belt

Senior Manager Quality & Mission Assurance Salary: $120,000 - $165,000 USD

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:​

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. ​

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future. ​

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge. ​

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment. ​

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.