SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company developing autonomous systems, aircraft, and simulation technologies for military and civilian applications. The Quality Systems Manager will own the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Shield AI's enterprise Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with AS9100, AQAP/NATO standards, and customer/regulatory requirements while supporting rapid growth across development, production, and fielded products.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and maintain an integrated QMS that meets AS9100 and applicable AQAP standards, supporting multiple programs and international defense customers without creating duplicative processes.
- Lead assessment, gap closure, and implementation activities for AQAP 2110 compliance and certification readiness.
- Own and manage the internal audit program, including audit planning, auditor qualification, findings, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
- Lead preparation for AS9100, AQAP, customer, government, and third-party audits and assessments.
- Establish and manage enterprise corrective action and continuous improvement processes to identify, correct, and prevent systemic quality issues.
- Develop and maintain processes for document control, quality records, objective evidence, and retention.
- Partner with Engineering and Configuration Management to ensure configuration control, traceability, and as-built product records.
- Establish processes for identifying and implementing contractual and customer-specific quality requirements, including quality planning and supplier flow-down.
- Support Government Quality Assurance activities and serve as key interface with customers, government representatives, and authorized quality representatives.
- Establish enterprise quality metrics and provide leadership visibility into QMS health, compliance risks, audit performance, and systemic issues.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives to simplify, standardize, digitize, and improve quality processes.
- Build, develop, and lead the Quality Systems & Compliance team.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, or related technical discipline (equivalent combinations of education and significant relevant experience may be considered).
- 8+ years of progressive experience in Quality, Quality Assurance, Quality Systems, Compliance, or Product Assurance.
- 3+ years of leadership experience in Quality Systems, Quality Assurance, Compliance, or related function.
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or maintaining an AS9100 Quality Management System.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Direct experience with AQAP 2110 or other NATO Allied Quality Assurance Publications.
- Experience supporting international defense customers, Government Quality Assurance, or government/customer quality representatives.
- Experience conducting QMS gap assessments and implementing compliance roadmaps.
- Experience integrating customer or regulatory requirements into an existing AS9100 QMS.
- Strong understanding of configuration management, traceability, product acceptance, and objective quality evidence.
- ASQ CMQ/OE, CQA, CQE, or equivalent professional certification.
- AS9100 or ISO Lead Auditor certification.
