QA Specialist

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.