SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Swarm Aero is building the world's largest swarming UAV fleet and Command & Control software to mobilize thousands of autonomous aircraft. The company is transitioning from early prototypes to high-rate manufacturing and seeks a Quality Engineering Lead to establish quality systems from the ground up.
You will be the first quality hire, building and leading the Quality Engineering department while scaling production of novel composite aircraft. Your responsibilities include:
- Build and lead the Quality Engineering team: hire staff, set priorities, and define quality's role across the organization
- Design and implement a quality management system, leading the company through ISO 9001 and AS9100 certification
- Define quality control processes from incoming materials through final acceptance
- Integrate quality requirements into production workflows alongside Manufacturing and Materials & Process Engineering teams
- Establish supplier quality standards, including source inspection, first article inspection (AS9102), and supplier qualification
- Implement core quality tools: nonconformance and material review boards, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), root cause analysis, and quality records management
- Identify production bottlenecks, test improvements on the floor, and use data to optimize throughput and predictability
- Partner directly with design and manufacturing teams to solve problems before they become permanent process issues
This is a greenfield opportunity to shape quality systems while decisions still matter, working in a fast-moving aerospace startup with experienced leadership from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Quality engineering experience in aerospace, automotive, composites, or complex hardware manufacturing
- Hands-on experience establishing facility certifications (ISO 9001, AS9100, Nadcap)
- Experience with composite materials and inspection methods
- Proven track record building and leading quality engineering teams
- Working knowledge of SPC, FMEA, root cause analysis, and first article inspection
- Judgment to implement structure without slowing execution
- Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for State Department authorization) due to ITAR requirements
- Able to work on-site in Fayetteville, AR
Especially valuable: greenfield facility quality setup, scaling composite production from prototype to rate, supplier quality experience across multi-tier supply bases, ASQ certification (CQE or CMQ/OE).
