Quality Assurance Manager

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager - Aerospace Location: West Warwick, RI Business Unit: AstroNova Aerospace Reports To: VP of Operations & Global Quality Position Summary AstroNova is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead and strengthen quality systems within our Aerospace business unit. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable regulatory requirements while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing, inspection, supplier quality, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader with strong aerospace quality experience who can balance compliance, execution, and process improvement in a fast-paced, regulated manufacturing environment. Key Responsibilities Quality Management System & Compliance Own and maintain the Aerospace Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with AS9100 and ISO 9001 requirements Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits; ensure timely and effective corrective actions Coordinate with Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) to support conformity activities and regulatory approvals Manage and approve the issuance of FAA Form 8130-3 for applicable aerospace products and articles Support and maintain regulatory approvals as applicable (e.g., FAA Part 145 interface, customer approvals) Product Compliance & Certification Support Coordinate external laboratory testing (electrical, environmental, EMC, safety, etc.) to support CE marking and global market compliance Ensure test plans, certifications, and technical documentation meet applicable regulatory and customer requirements Partner with Engineering and Program Management to support product qualification, change management, and release activities Operations & Inspection Oversight Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities Ensure effective use of inspection resources to support on-time delivery and quality objectives Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Repair teams to resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence Corrective Action & Continuous Improvement Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for internal issues, supplier escapes, and customer complaints Analyze quality metrics and trends to identify risks and improvement opportunities Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, and throughput Supplier & Customer Quality Manage supplier quality performance, including qualification, audits, and corrective actions Serve as a key quality interface with aerospace customers (e.g., OEMs, Tier 1s) during audits, issue resolution, and product releases Monitor customer feedback and quality performance to improve satisfaction and reliability Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop quality personnel, fostering accountability and continuous improvement Promote a strong quality culture across the Aerospace organization Partner with HR and leadership on staffing, training, and succession planning within Quality Reporting & Communication Prepare and present quality performance reports and compliance status to senior leadership Clearly communicate expectations, risks, and priorities across cross-functional teams Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent experience) 7+ years of quality experience in a regulated manufacturing environment, aerospace strongly preferred Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and audit processes Experience leading corrective actions, audits, and quality system improvements Proven ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional partners Preferred Experience supporting FAA-regulated environments (Part 145 or similar) Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification Experience interfacing directly with aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 customers Skills & Attributes Strong leadership and communication skills Detail-oriented with a practical, solutions-focused mindset Comfortable balancing compliance requirements with operational realities Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving aerospace environment