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Job Description

Summary

The Supervisor, Quality Engineering leads a team of Quality Engineers (QEs) to drive process improvements, enhance First Pass Yield (FPY), and ensure compliance with AS9100 standards. This role serves as the primary quality interface for internal operations and external customers, ensuring all products meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements. The Supervisor provides mentorship, leadership, and technical guidance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and proactive problem-solving.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Engineers to support quality objectives.
• Analyze quality performance trends and lead data-driven initiatives to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, set clear expectations, and provide coaching for professional growth.
• Oversee the execution of internal audits and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Drive RCCA initiatives using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, and Fishbone Analysis to prevent recurring quality issues.
• Support and manage internal and external audits, including regulatory and customer audits.
• Drive initiatives to improve First Pass Yield (FPY), Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), and other key quality metrics.
• Oversee process capability analysis on key product characteristics and implement effective Inspection and Quality Plans.
• Ensure New Product Introduction (NPI) quality deliverables are met per program requirements.
• Collaborate with Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to improve key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Interface directly with customers to address quality concerns and ensure their expectations are met.
• Apply Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards in manufacturing and support process improvement projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field is required
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in Quality Engineering within the aerospace industry.
• 1-2 years of experience in a management role or leadership experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001:AS9100, AS9102 standards and audits
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build credibility with, interact with, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally as an effective business partner; well organized with solid judgment; able to multitask and adjust to changing priorities.
• Strong knowledge and proficient in applying Quality Tools including Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• Strong technical experience in IPC 610/620, certified trainer is preferred.
• Certifications for ASQ Certified supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified in Design for Six Sigma or similar certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of dimensional inspection measurement systems and their application for the inspection of complex products – a full understanding of ASME Y14.5 (GD&T). Expertise in mechanical inspection methods and skills

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR