Director, Global Quality Engineering & Control at AeroVironment

Simi Valley, California, United States

AeroVironment Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, DefenseIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field (or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience)
  • Advanced degree, MBA, or MS highly preferred
  • Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in quality, mission assurance, or regulatory compliance within defense, aerospace, or high-reliability manufacturing
  • Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role
  • Expertise in AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, CMMI, and defense quality standards
  • Strong background in QMS implementation, supplier quality management, and risk mitigation strategies
  • Proven leadership experience managing quality teams and cross-functional initiatives
  • Experience with government contracts, DoD requirements, and working with regulatory agencies
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
  • Deep expertise in quality engineering principles (DFMEA, PFMEA, PPAP/APQP, SPC, GD&T, MSA, etc.)
  • Knowledge of BMS frameworks (ISO 9001, AS9100, or industry equivalent)
  • Proficiency with quality tools/software (e.g., Minitab, SPC/QMS platforms, PLM, ERP systems)

Responsibilities

  • Develop, deploy, and maintain company-wide processes and best practices for Quality Engineering, Quality Control, and Continuous Improvement
  • Establish standard approaches for DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans, inspections, verification/validation, nonconformance handling, and root cause analysis
  • Ensure alignment of business unit practices with corporate BMS and regulatory/industry standards
  • Define the training strategy and curricula for Quality Engineers and Inspectors embedded across business units
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing forums to raise the competency and effectiveness of distributed quality personnel
  • Partner with HR/Learning to ensure career development pathways for Quality roles
  • Define and implement key quality metrics (e.g., defect rates, yield, inspection effectiveness, process capability, CoPQ)
  • Monitor, consolidate, and report performance across business units, highlighting trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
  • Drive accountability for corrective and preventive actions by ensuring business units act on metric outcomes
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to Business Unit Quality Leaders
  • Facilitate cross-BU alignment by leading Quality and Mission Assurance communities of practice, working groups, and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure that quality standards are designed into processes and products
  • Ensure that all embedded Quality teams operate in compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, or other relevant standards
  • Lead initiatives to close systemic gaps identified through audits, assessments, and metric performance
  • Champion a culture of defect prevention, risk management, and operational excellence across the enterprise
  • Other duties as assigned

Skills

DFMEA
PFMEA
Control Plans
Root Cause Analysis
Quality Metrics
Process Capability
Continuous Improvement
Quality Engineering
Quality Control
Training
Metrics
Governance
Nonconformance Handling
Verification
Validation

AeroVironment

Develops autonomous robotic systems for defense

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment develops and sells autonomous robotic systems that can perform various missions without human intervention. These systems are designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risks to personnel, and provide valuable data to users. The company primarily serves government agencies, defense organizations, and commercial clients, focusing on the defense and aerospace sectors. AeroVironment stands out from its competitors by emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility in its business practices, which not only helps the environment but also builds loyalty among employees and customers. The company's goal is to lead the market in intelligent robotic systems while promoting sustainable practices and creating new business opportunities.

Monrovia, CaliforniaHeadquarters
1971Year Founded
$20.3MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Robotics & Automation, Aerospace, DefenseIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision
Health Savings Account
401(k) Account
Alternative Work Schedule
Educational and Tuition Assistance Programs
Employee Assistance Program
Sick Leave Donation
Time Off
Travel Assistance
Company Sponsored Events

Risks

Competition from European drone companies like Parrot may impact market share.
US-China trade tensions could disrupt AeroVironment's supply chain.
BlueHalo acquisition poses integration risks and management distraction.

Differentiation

AeroVironment specializes in unmanned aircraft systems for defense and commercial markets.
The company focuses on sustainability and innovation in autonomous robotic systems.
AeroVironment's acquisition of BlueHalo enhances its defense technology capabilities.

Upsides

Increased demand for Western-made drones boosts AeroVironment's market share.
BlueHalo acquisition enhances AeroVironment's competitive edge in defense technology.
Customizable AI UAVs attract new military contracts with enhanced adaptability.

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