Assistant Quality Control Manager (3870)

Position Overview

BLUSA Defense Manufacturing is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and results-driven Assistant Quality Control Manager to support the leadership and daily operations of the Quality Control department within our manufacturing and product realization environment.

The Assistant Quality Control Manager plays a key role in ensuring that all products, processes, and inspection activities meet applicable industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory specifications, including those governing defense and aerospace manufacturing.

Working closely with the Quality Control Manager, this position helps oversee inspection activities, develop and mentor quality personnel, address product and process nonconformances, and drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.

This is a working, hands-on management position that requires active involvement in the day-to-day inspection and quality control activities of the department. The Assistant Quality Control Manager is expected to lead by example by performing inspections, utilizing precision measurement equipment, reviewing product conformity, troubleshooting quality issues, and providing direct technical support to inspectors and production personnel. This individual must be equally comfortable managing personnel and actively working alongside the team on the manufacturing floor.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge, effective leadership skills, and the ability to balance hands-on inspection responsibilities with supervisory and departmental management duties. This individual must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment and demonstrate a commitment to product quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Quality Department Leadership & Management

• Assist the Quality Control Manager in overseeing the daily operations and activities of the Quality Control department.
• Provide direction, supervision, and support to quality inspectors, technicians, and other department personnel.
• Actively participate in daily Quality Control activities and serve as a hands-on working manager rather than solely providing administrative oversight.
• Assist with assigning workloads, establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and ensuring departmental objectives are met.
• Lead by example by actively supporting inspection operations, resolving technical challenges, and assisting personnel as needed.
• Mentor and develop quality personnel through hands-on training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the Quality Control department.

Inspection & Product Quality

• Actively perform and oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities to ensure products conform to engineering drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and applicable quality standards.
• Utilize precision measurement equipment and inspection tools to verify product conformity, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMMs, and other inspection instruments.
• Provide hands-on technical assistance to inspectors and production personnel with measurement methods, drawing interpretation, GD&T, and inspection requirements.
• Ensure inspection plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria are properly implemented and followed.
• Review and approve inspection reports, test results, first article inspection documentation, and other quality records, as authorized.
• Ensure nonconforming materials and products are properly identified, documented, segregated, and dispositioned in accordance with established procedures.
• Assist in investigating quality issues, identifying root causes, and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor product quality trends and communicate recurring issues or areas of concern to management.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Support the implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure quality control activities comply with applicable standards, including ISO 9001, AS9100, and customer-specific requirements.
• Assist with monitoring compliance with applicable defense and aerospace contract requirements.
• Support internal and external audits, including customer, registrar, and regulatory audits.
• Assist in preparing audit documentation, responding to findings, and tracking corrective actions through completion.
• Ensure quality records and documentation are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Production, Engineering, and other departments to identify, communicate, and resolve quality-related issues.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance regarding inspection requirements, drawing interpretation, specifications, measurement techniques, and product acceptance criteria.
• Work directly with production personnel on the manufacturing floor to identify and resolve quality issues as they arise.
• Participate in production meetings, material reviews, and problem-solving activities as required.
• Support timely resolution of quality concerns to minimize production delays, scrap, rework, and customer impact.

Equipment & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the proper calibration, maintenance, and control of inspection, measurement, and testing equipment.
• Ensure inspection personnel are properly trained and qualified to perform assigned inspection activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve inspection methods, departmental processes, and overall quality performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving efficiency, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Assist the Quality Control Manager with departmental planning, reporting, and performance metrics.