Quality Manager

Position Summary

The Aviation Quality Manager is responsible for the implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of the organization's Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with AS9100, AS9110, FAA Part 145, and applicable government regulations.

This position leads quality assurance, quality control, and inspection activities supporting aircraft maintenance, modification, manufacturing, and testing operations, ensuring all products and services meet contractual requirements, regulatory standards, and customer expectations.

The Quality Manager supervises inspection personnel, oversees quality processes, supports regulatory compliance, and provides leadership in data-driven quality management, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This position reports directly to the Senior Aviation Quality Manager or Quality Director.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership

• Leads the organization's inspection, quality engineering, ensuring alignment with contractual quality requirements, critical safety items (CSI) controls, airworthiness standards, ensuring customer expectations are met.
• Implement, maintain, and improve quality requirements across manufacturing, modification, repair, and testing operations.
• Ensure compliance with organizational quality procedures, regulatory requirements, and customer contractual obligations.
• Develop and implement improvements in inspection methods, sampling techniques, and quality control procedures.
• Conduct and support internal and external audits, including regulatory and customer audits.
• Ensure integration of quality planning, risk management, and compliance requirements throughout program activities.
• Provide weekly and monthly program performance reporting, quality metrics, and status updates.
• Review project work requests to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with quality standards.
• Provide training and technical guidance as required for programs, production, and maintenance personnel regarding quality standards and procedures.

Lean Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement

• Apply DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodologies to investigate and resolve systemic quality issues.
• Implement root cause analysis techniques, including:
  • 5 Whys
  • Fishbone (Ishikawa)
• Develop and maintain quality performance metrics, trend analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence.
• Provide weekly and monthly program performance reporting, quality metrics, and status updates.
• Implement data-driven decision-making practices utilizing statistical analysis and performance metrics.
• Establish and monitor Corrective Action to ensure sustainable process improvements.
• Drive process standardization and error-proofing strategies to eliminate recurring defects.

FAA Part 145 Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee programs associated with FAA Form 8130-3 - Authorized Release Certificate / Airworthiness Approval Tag.
• Ensure all articles and components are maintained and returned to service using approved technical documentation.
• Maintain a current repository of applicable technical data including:
  • Federal Aviation Regulations (CFRs)
  • Manufacturer maintenance manuals
  • Service Bulletins (SB)
  • Airworthiness Directives (AD)
  • Approved engineering data

Leadership & Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and coaching to Quality supervisors and inspection personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, objectives, and performance metrics supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor personnel performance including:
  • Timekeeping and attendance
  • Performance evaluations
  • Corrective actions when necessary
• Lead team meetings and coordinate quality-related activities across departments.
• Develop budget estimates and basis of estimates (BOEs) for quality operations.
• Track budgets and forecast capital equipment and inspection tool requirements.
• Maintain oversight of all quality documentation related to product conformity and inspection records.
• Recruit, train, and mentor quality personnel to ensure sustained organizational capability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of rotary-wing and/or fixed-wing aircraft maintenance and inspection practices.
• Ability to read and interpret:
  • Aircraft technical manuals
  • Engineering drawings
  • Maintenance procedures
  • Safety regulations

Analytical & Operational Skills

• Ability to analyze program risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating quality data and identifying trends.
• Proficiency in problem solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making.
• Ability to interpret and apply corporate policies, regulatory requirements, and quality procedures.

Communication & Leadership

• Strong technical writing and reporting capabilities.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical issues to senior management and regulatory authorities.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, and management teams.
• Ability to represent the organization professionally with customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to learn and utilize additional enterprise systems or quality management software.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience requirements:

• Master's Degree with 10 years of relevant aviation quality experience, OR
• Bachelor's Degree with 15 years of aviation quality experience, OR
• Associate degree with 20 years of aviation quality experience.

Additional requirements include:

• AS9100 Lead Auditor Certification required
• FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate required.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Quality Management as Manager or Supervisor required

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.
• Certified Quality Manager (CMQ) preferred
• Lean / Six Sigma certification preferred
• Ability to travel to customer or supplier locations as required.
• Successful completion of drug screening and background investigation.

PREFERENCE STATEMENT
Preference will be given to Calista shareholders and their descendants and to spouses of Calista shareholders, and to shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g).

EEO STATEMENT
Additionally, it is our policy to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status. When applicable, our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
It is Calista and Subsidiaries' business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.