Quality & QMS Manager — Aerospace Composites

The Role

This is a builder role, not a maintenance role.

You will own the development and implementation of AeroDef Structures' QMS and establish the quality culture, processes and documentation required to operate as a credible aerospace manufacturer.

You will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and customers to ensure that our products and processes are controlled, traceable and audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities

QMS & AS9100

· Build and implement an AS9100D-aligned Quality Management System from the ground up.

· Lead the AS9100 gap assessment, implementation and certification readiness process.

· Establish quality policies, procedures, objectives and metrics.

· Own document and record control.

· Plan and conduct internal audits and management reviews.

Manufacturing Quality

· Establish quality controls across incoming material, composites processing, assembly, inspection and final release.

· Implement robust material and product traceability.

· Develop production travelers, inspection plans and quality records.

· Establish control of nonconforming product, MRB and corrective actions.

· Ensure calibration and control of inspection and measurement equipment.

Supplier & Customer Quality

· Establish and maintain the Approved Supplier List and supplier evaluation process.

· Support supplier qualification and performance monitoring.

· Review customer quality requirements and ensure their incorporation into manufacturing processes.

· Support First Article Inspection (AS9102) and customer audits.

Continuous Improvement

· Establish NCR, CAPA and root-cause analysis processes.

· Monitor quality KPIs and identify recurring issues.

· Drive practical improvements in manufacturing processes and quality performance.

· Build a culture where quality is owned at the source rather than inspected in at the end.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

· 5–8 years of experience in aerospace, defence or advanced manufacturing quality.

· Qualification: B.Sc. with 7 years/ DME with 5 years/B.E. with 3 to 4 years of experience

· Knowledge / Experience in ISO9001:2015 is essential.

· Practical experience implementing or operating an AS9100 / ISO 9001 QMS.

· Experience with NCR, MRB, CAPA, internal audits, supplier quality and FAI/AS9102.

· Strong understanding of manufacturing process control and traceability.

· Experience with composites manufacturing is highly desirable.

· Strong documentation and analytical skills.

· Comfortable working directly on the shop floor with engineers and technicians.

· Able to build systems from scratch rather than simply maintain an established corporate QMS.

· Strong communication skills and the confidence to stop or challenge a process when quality requirements are not met.

· Knowledge in NDT procedures and Equipment like Woodpecker Tap test and Ultrasonic A scan and C scan procedure and Radiography is desirable.

An AS9100 Lead Auditor qualification is useful but not mandatory. Demonstrated experience building and implementing a QMS is more important.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 days

· Complete the AS9100 gap assessment.

· Establish the QMS architecture and document-control framework.

· Implement basic material traceability, NCR and production-quality controls.

First 90 days

· Core QMS processes operational.

· Production jobs running through controlled travelers and inspection records.

· Material and product traceability established.

· Internal audit program underway.

6 months

· AeroDef Structures operating an effective AS9100-aligned QMS.

· Major gaps closed.

· Organization prepared for formal AS9100 certification assessment.

Benefits

This is an opportunity to build the quality organization of an aerospace manufacturer from zero.

You will not be inheriting a mature QMS—you will help design how the company manufactures, documents, controls and delivers aerospace structures as we scale.

If you are excited by building systems, working close to manufacturing and creating aerospace-grade quality culture from the ground up, this role is for you.