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Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Director, Global Quality Management & Improvement is responsible for the leadership and management of the Quality Management System (QMS) across the organization. This role ensures compliance with ISO, AS9100, customer, and regulatory standards.

Additionally, this role will spearhead strategic Continuous Improvement initiatives by applying Lean, Six Sigma, and industry best practices. This includes conducting LSS training and managing centralized CI projects.

Governance and oversight of program execution within the QMS framework, support for risk management and lessons learned, and leading Root Cause and Corrective Actions (RCCA) for trend-level issues within the QMS are also key responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities

+ Leads Quality Management System (QMS) implementation, communication, monitoring, ensuring compliance to ISO, AS9100, customer, and regulatory requirements.

+ Define and deploy QMS applicability, awareness, responsibilities, and training strategy.

+ Communicates, trains, and coordinates improvement of QMS policies, processes, and procedures.

+ Oversees, deploys, and monitors QMS internal audit program and external certification audits.

+ Develops, maintains, and coordinates QMS key process KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks with identified QMS process owners. Including assignment and tracking of actions where results are not met.

+ Leads strategic Continuous Improvement initiatives. Benchmark and drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and industry best practices. Including LSS training and centralized CI project management.

+ Provides governance and oversight to ensure programs execute within the QMS framework.

+ Support leadership with enterprise and segment risk management and lessons-learned capture regarding the QMS.

+ Leads RCCA of trend-level issues across the QMS.

+ Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

+ Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field (Master’s preferred).

+ Minimum 12 years of experience in quality, mission assurance, or regulatory compliance within the defense, aerospace, or high-reliability manufacturing environment.

+ Minimum 5 years experience in a people leadership role.

+ Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to lead without direct authority.

+ Expertise in AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, CMMI, and defense quality standards.

+ Strong background in QMS implementation and risk mitigation strategies.

+ Proven leadership experience managing auditing, compliance teams and cross-functional initiatives.

+ Experience with government contracts, DoD requirements, and working with regulatory agencies.

+ Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

+ Lean-Six-Sigma and other Continuous Improvement skills.

+ Proficiency with quality tools/software (e.g., Minitab, SPC/QMS platforms, PLM, ERP systems).

+ Preferred Certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM); Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt; Project Management Professional (PMP); Certified Lead Auditor for AS9100/ISO 9001.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills

+ Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write persuasively

+ Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships

+ Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances

+ Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees

+ Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision

+ Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change

+ Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks

+ Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

+ Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

+ Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.

+ May require travel to sites/program and special functions.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance

+ Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.

+ May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.

Special Requirements

+ **U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or** **_asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required._**

+ Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$139,371 - $197,400

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

_T_ _his position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements._

**Benefits** : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

_We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status._

ITAR

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)