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Senior Manager Quality & Mission Assurance

Compensation
$120,000–$165,000/year

Job Description

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 Salar: $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.

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Job Details

Department
Manufacturing
Category
Aerospace Engineering
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Irvine, CA
Posted
Apr 10, 2026, 02:07 PM
Listed
Apr 10, 2026, 02:42 PM
Compensation
$120,000 - $165,000 per year

About Turion Space

Part of the growing space & AI ecosystem pushing the frontiers of technology.

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