Quality Manager

Rock West Composites, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Quality Manager.

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for commercial and government customers. We provide cradle-to-grave services for primary and secondary composite structures. This position is located in our San Diego, CA office and reports to the Enterprise Quality Manager.

Position Summary:

The Quality Manager serves as the site leader and technical authority for the Quality Management System (QMS) within an aerospace and defense composite manufacturing environment. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP (Composites and NDT), and customer-specific requirements while leading quality assurance, quality engineering, and inspection functions. The role drives operational excellence by preventing product escapes, strengthening process capability, improving supplier quality, and developing a high-performing quality organization that supports safe, reliable products, processes, and services.

Essential Functions:

• Lead and maintain the site Quality Management System ensuring compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP Composites, NADCAP NDT, and customer requirements.
• Provide leadership and development for Quality Engineering, Quality Assurance, Inspection, and NDT personnel, including staffing, training, and performance management.
• Establish robust processes to prevent nonconformances and product escapes through risk management, process control, and inspection planning.
• Oversee operations, inspection methods, calibration systems, and measurement capability to ensure compliance with industry and regulatory standards.
• Lead internal audits, external audits, and certification activities, ensuring effective corrective action and sustained compliance.
• Drive root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and statistical methods.
• Represent Quality as the primary interface to customers, regulatory bodies, and external auditors during program reviews, audits, First Article Inspections, and qualification activities.
• Demonstrate and promote an engaged, energized, and compliant work environment by adhering to Rock West Composites’ quality management system, all AS9100 including ISO 9001 and Nadcap requirements, and all company policies, procedures, and code of business conduct.
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) activities and disposition of nonconforming material.
• Oversee supplier quality performance, including qualification, audits, corrective actions, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure quality requirements are properly flowed down in contracts, work instructions, and purchase orders.
• Support engineering and operations through design reviews, configuration control, and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Develop and track quality performance metrics, reporting trends and improvement plans to executive leadership.

Non-Essential Functions:

Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing quality roles.
• 5+ years of management or leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated expertise with AS9100 and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience managing NADCAP accredited processes, particularly Composites Manufacturing and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
• Strong knowledge of composite manufacturing processes including autoclave curing, RTM, layup, and bonded assemblies.
• Experience with inspection systems, metrology, NDT methods, and statistical process control.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage audits, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience with contact and noncontact inspection methods. CMM operating proficiency is a big plus.
• Eligible candidates must be a United States Citizen, United States National, or a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

Required Attributes:

• Be a team player with a can-do attitude: hungry, humble, and people smart.
• Collaborates with external and internal customers, including Operations, Program Management, Product Development, Engineering, and Sales staff to meet customer requirements, ensure compliance, and continue smooth flow of quality products.
• Works independently, follows instructions, can concentrate for long periods of time and is able to tolerate multiple interruptions throughout the day.
• Organized, self-motivated, strong attention to detail, and high level of accuracy.
• Self-starter with excellent time management skills and ability to establish objectives and specify the strategies and actions to achieve these objectives.
• Capable of working in an environment in which demands and priorities change.

Perks and Benefits:

• 100% Employer Paid Medical and Dental
• Annual Bonus
• 401K - 5% match
  
• Employee Stocks Option Program
• 9/80 work schedule
• 8- paid Holidays
  
• PTO: Max. 4-weeks after 5 years of employment
• $2,500 tuition reimbursement

Compensation:

The pay range for this position falls within $120,000 to $140,000. The final compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other factors permitted by law.

Why should you want to work with us? Rock West Composites cares about our employees! Not only do we offer great benefits to our full-time employees (Medical & Dental 100% employer paid, Vision, Paid Time Off and 401K match), we offer a fun and friendly working environment!

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement:

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) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.