Quality Manager in Tucson, Arizona at Abrams Airborne Manufacturing Inc

Lead the team that makes sure every part we ship is right.

In aerospace and defense, quality isn’t a department, it’s a promise. At Abrams Airborne, we’re looking for a Quality Manager to own that promise: someone who leads people, makes tough calls under pressure, and builds a quality organization that doesn’t depend on any one person to succeed.

This is a true leadership role. You’ll direct three experienced leads (our Quality Systems Manager, Quality Assurance Lead, and Inspection & Testing Supervisor) and, through them, a team of specialists, coordinators, and inspectors. You won’t be buried in audits and FAIRs; you’ll be setting direction, developing your leads, and serving as the senior quality voice to our CEO, our customers, and our registrars.

What drives us

Our core values aren’t wall decor. They’re how we work every day, and they’re exactly what this role is built on.

Passion. We care about what we build and the people who depend on it. As our Quality Manager, you’ll bring that energy to developing your team and pushing our QMS to be better every year.
Precision. In aerospace and defense, “close enough” isn’t. You’ll make sure every requirement, from contract to drawing to Q-note, is met exactly, and that our data tells the true story.
Integrity. We do the right thing, even when it costs time or money. You’ll hold quality decisions to requirements under schedule pressure and give our CEO and customers the honest picture, every time.

What you’ll do

Lead and grow the department. Set annual objectives, run regular one-on-ones, and coach your leads to own their areas. You’ll approve staffing, training, and inspection coverage across shifts, and build cross-training and succession so the team stays strong.
Own our AS9100 QMS. Keep our certification strong, lead Management Review with the CEO, and represent the company in registrar and customer audits.
Make the final call on product quality. Hold final authority on MRB and nonconforming product decisions, and make sure requirements from contracts, drawings, and Q-notes reach the floor and our suppliers.
Be the face of quality to customers. Manage escalations, customer corrective actions, and scorecard performance, and oversee supplier quality and SCARs alongside Purchasing.
Run on data. Own the department KPI scorecard (escapes, NCR rates, on-time FAIRs, corrective action aging, cost of quality) and use it to drive decisions and report to senior leadership.
Fix problems at the source. Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Program Management, and Purchasing to solve quality issues for good.

What you bring

8+ years of quality experience in an AS9100 aerospace or defense manufacturing environment, including 3+ years managing quality personnel through supervisors or leads
Experience as the senior quality contact for customers and registrars, including prime contractor audits and escalations
Working knowledge of AS9100, AS9102 FAIR, inspection and metrology, MRB and nonconformance disposition, and root cause and corrective action methods
The independence to hold the line on requirements when schedule and cost pressure is high
Comfort with ERP and eQMS systems and Microsoft Office
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, quality, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered

Bonus points for
AS9100 Lead Auditor or internal auditor qualification
ASQ CMQ/OE certification (CQE or CQA also a plus)

Why join us
A seat at the table: you’ll report quality performance and risk directly to the CEO
An established team of leads ready to be developed, not a department to build from scratch
Work that matters, on products where quality directly affects safety and mission success

Benefits:
401(k) with company match
Health, dental, and vision insurance Short- and long-term disability coverage
Paid time off plus paid sick time
4-day, 10-hour work week starting January 2027

The work environment

This role spends regular time on the production floor and in inspection areas. It involves standing and walking for extended periods, reading drawings and technical data, and occasionally lifting up to 20 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ready to lead quality with passion, precision, and integrity? Apply today!

Abrams Airborne is an Equal Opportunity Employer.