Located in Hawthorne, CA
Pay: $$45.00-50.00 DOE
Job Full Description
Job Description: Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist & Lead Auditor
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Industry: Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Reports To: Quality Manager
Salary Range: $45.00 - $50.00/hour (DOE)
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Quality Assurance (QA) Manager to lead our quality assurance within a fast-paced, high-precision Aerospace & Defense (A&D) machine shop. The QA Manager will oversee the entire quality management system (QMS), maintain strict AS9100 Rev D certifications, and manage customer and regulatory audits.
This individual will serve as the primary conduit for quality compliance between manufacturing operations, Tier-1 aerospace customers, and government regulatory agencies.
Key Responsibilities
- QMS Leadership: Maintain, continuously improve, and enforce the shop's AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001 Quality Management System
- Audit Management: Act as the primary interface and host for all external customer quality audits, third party registrar audits, and regulatory/government assessments (DCMA/FAA)
- Corrective Actions & Root Cause: Oversee the Non-Conformance Report (NCR) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) systems; lead cross-functional root-cause investigations utilizing 5-Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), and 8D methodologies
- Customer Interface: Address customer escapes, quality notices, and field returns promptly; work closely with Tier-1 aerospace customer quality engineering teams to resolve technical issues
- FAIR Management: Ensure the seamless preparation and compliance of First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) in accordance with AS9102 standards, using digital platforms where applicable (e.g., Net-Inspect)
- Supplier Quality: Manage the supplier evaluation program, tracking external vendor performance, processing certifications, and issuing supplier corrective action reports (SCARs) when necessary
- Metrics & Reporting: Track, analyze, and present Cost of Quality (COQ), scrap rates, and internal/external defect metrics to executive leadership to drive continuous shop floor improvement
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Experience: Minimum 5–8+ years of Quality Assurance experience in an aerospace & defense manufacturing environment, with at least 3 years in a senior role within a precision machining facility
- Certification Mastery: In-depth, expert-level understanding of AS9100 Rev D compliance, internal auditing protocols, and AS9102 FAIR standards
- Blueprint Reading & GD&T: Advanced proficiency in interpreting complex engineering drawings, digital CAD models, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T;) per ASME Y14.5
- Export Control Compliance: Due to defense contract regulations, the candidate must be a 'U.S. Person' as defined by ITAR (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).
- Problem Solving: Proven track record of managing robust root-cause analysis and corrective actions (CAPA) with Tier-1 aerospace primes
Preferred Skills & Certifications
- ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification with experience leading lean manufacturing initiatives
- Familiarity managing digital production files and manufacturing modules within ERP systems (e.g.,
- JobBOSS or ProShop)
- Prior hands-on background in mechanical or dimensional inspection
We will consider all qualified applicants for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative Hiring Ordinance.
LAX, CA
2837
13658 Hawthorne Boulevard
Suite 103
Hawthorne, CA 90250
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