Quality Systems Director
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metro Area / In Person
Employment Type: Full-Time
About Us
We are a stealth defense technology startup operating at the intersection of advanced hardware, modern manufacturing, and next-generation AI-enabled manufacturing software. Our mission is to design, build, and deliver real systems that address urgent strategic and industrial capability needs today.
The company is fully funded and has confirmed customer demand with orders exceeding projected manufacturing capacity through 2028.
Our team combines deep technical expertise across multiple disciplines with the operational rigor required to design, manufacture, deploy, and support systems in demanding real-world environments.
Our culture values execution, builders, doers, and ownership. We move quickly, solve hard problems, and take pride in turning ideas into working systems that deliver meaningful results for our customers and mission partners. If you enjoy building real systems and solving hard problems, we would like to learn more about you.
About the Team
Our teams span engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and software. Together, they design, build, and deploy complex systems that must work reliably in demanding real-world environments.
The organization operates with a strong bias toward execution. Engineers work closely with production teams, software interacts directly with hardware and factory systems, and supply chain and logistics ensure that components move efficiently from suppliers to production to delivery.
About the Job
We are seeking a Quality Systems Director to lead the development, implementation, and sustainment of comprehensive quality management systems for defense-grade metalworking processes. This hands-on leadership role is critical to ensuring mission-critical systems meet stringent defense department requirements in a fast-scaling production environment.
What You’ll Do
· Develop, implement, and maintain robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) for defense-grade steel forgings and metalworking processes (heat treating, chemical coatings), ensuring full compliance with defense department requirements
· Lead first article inspections (FAI), internal/external audits, and process validations to deliver battle-ready, fully traceable products
· Perform CpK/PpK statistical analysis and utilize root cause tools (8D, 5-Why) to ensure process capability, stability, and continuous improvement
· Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and statistical tools (Minitab, Excel, R-Shiny) to maintain tight quality control across all manufacturing operations
· Own documentation control, including procedures, work instructions, records, and traceability systems to meet defense department and customer requirements
· Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and quality excellence methodologies to optimize processes and eliminate inefficiencies
· Serve as the primary quality systems point of contact for customers, suppliers, and defense department audits
· Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of 4 shift supervisors and multiple quality technicians operating across four shifts
Required Qualifications
· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Quality Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or related field
· Experience: 7–10+ years in quality systems management, with a proven track record developing and implementing QMS for defense, aerospace, or complex manufacturing/assembly environments (First Article Inspection experience strongly preferred)
· Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in CpK/PPK analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and RCCA tools (8D, 5-Why); hands-on experience with Minitab, Excel, and R-Shiny; expertise in documentation control and QMS platforms
· Leadership & Work Style: Hands-on leader and team builder who thrives in high-pressure, fast-paced environments
· Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to coach, mentor, and proactively solve problems
· Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 lbs in a gritty manufacturing shop environment with heat and noise
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
· Deep knowledge of defense department requirements and standards (MIL-STD, ITAR, DFARS)
· Expertise in quality oversight of metalworking processes, including heat treating and chemical coatings for ferrous, non-ferrous, and super alloys
· Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, dye penetrant) for quality validation
· Six Sigma Black Belt, ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or AS9100 Lead Auditor certification
Benefits
· Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
· Paid Time Off (PTO)
· 401(k) Plan
· Relocation Assistance (depending on role eligibility)
The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.