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Arkeus builds AI-powered sensing systems for autonomous platforms deployed in defence and national security applications. As Senior Quality Manager, you will own the quality management system that stands behind every payload shipped to customers.
Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing, you will maintain and mature ISO 9001 certification at the Melbourne site, lead the Gold Coast site through its first ISO 9001 certification, and build the roadmap to AS9100D compliance. This is a senior, hands-on individual contributor role where you lead through influence—working directly with engineers, technicians, suppliers and site leads to embed quality into how Arkeus builds, not as a gate at the end.
Key Responsibilities:
Quality Management System:
- Maintain and continually improve ISO 9001 certification at Port Melbourne, including surveillance and recertification audits, management review and corrective action closure
- Lead Gold Coast site to first ISO 9001 certification through gap analysis, process definition, implementation, internal audit and certification body engagement
- Develop and execute the plan to transition the QMS to AS9100D, including gap analysis, resourcing, timeline and readiness assessment
- Harmonise processes, documentation and records across both sites to operate as one system
- Plan and run the internal audit program and coordinate external audits by certification bodies and customers
Product Quality—Hardware & Software:
- Define inspection, test and acceptance processes for low-rate electro-optical and electronic assemblies, including first article inspection (AS9102), workmanship standards (e.g. IPC-A-610) and calibration control
- Own the nonconformance, root cause and corrective action process using structured methods such as 8D, 5 Whys and fishbone analysis; drive actions to verified closure
- Ensure product configuration, change control and traceability are maintained from design through build, test and delivery
- Work across hardware and software quality disciplines, following nonconformances from solder joints to firmware releases
Supply Chain & Risk:
- Implement counterfeit parts prevention and supplier quality management
- Establish risk-based thinking and product safety processes aligned with AS9100D
You will work on the hardest problems in deep-tech—optics, autonomy, real-time AI and hardware-software integration. You will collaborate with exceptional leaders with decades of combined experience in AI, optics and defence. The team is close-knit, ego-free, low politics and high trust.
Requirements:
- Proven experience building and running a QMS in a technology manufacturing environment; understand the difference between a system that passes audits and one that actually prevents defects
- Taken a site through ISO 9001 certification; understand what AS9100D asks for beyond it—configuration management, product safety, counterfeit parts prevention, first article inspection and risk-based thinking
- Comfortable with products that are equal parts hardware and software; able to follow nonconformances from solder joints to firmware releases and apply quality discipline to both without slowing either down
- Experience in defence or aerospace; understand low-rate, high-mix manufacturing where every unit matters, volumes are small and processes must be robust without being bureaucratic
- Pragmatic, credible on the shop floor and in the boardroom; able to write things down clearly
- Energised by high-growth environments where you build quality foundations across multiple sites
