Metallurgical Lab Manager Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Quality & Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring world‑class product quality while driving robust, efficient, and compliant manufacturing processes. This role oversees the quality systems (QMS), Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), manufacturing engineering, process control, and continuous improvement across the organization, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards while supporting on‑time delivery, cost targets, and customer satisfaction. This position serves as a key liaison between Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Customers, and plays a critical role in sustaining certifications, improving manufacturing capability, and supporting new product and process introduction.

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, and applicable customer and regulatory requirements. Manage any changes affecting the QMS and train Company personnel as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace fastener standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements (FAA, DFARS, etc.).
• Oversee internal and external audits, including customer, registrar, and regulatory audits. Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), root cause analysis, and systemic quality improvements.
• Establish and monitor key quality metrics (PPM, yield, COPQ, escapes, audit findings).
• Lead customer quality interface, including responses to quality issues, corrective actions, and performance reviews.
• Manage the internal (QMS and process) and external (registrar, customers, vendors, etc.) audit activities.
• Ensure effective supplier quality management, including supplier audits, qualification, and performance monitoring.
• Lead the Preventative Actions and Continuous Improvements activities for the business unit.
• Develop and implement a Quality Assurance Program (including SPC) that places the responsibility of meeting manufacturing specifications on the operators.
• Develop trained metallurgical lab operators for reading Micro and Macro lab mounts with documented procedures.
• Manage the efforts on PPAP, PFMEA and problem‑solving activities associated with quality requirements for the business.
• Manage the MRB process for root cause determinations, quality issue resolution and Corrective Action implementation. Work with manufacturing to develop and implement rework/remake routers to expedite jobs that reach MRB.
• Train quality and manufacturing personnel on proper measuring and testing techniques and protocols.
• Create and manage Source Approval Requests (SAR) for new products as needed.

• Lead the manufacturing engineering function, including process development, tooling, fixturing, routings, work instructions, and process validation.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are capable, repeatable, and compliant with quality and customer requirements.
• Support new product Qualifications, including PFMEA, control plans, and production readiness.
• Drive process optimization, cycle time reduction, scrap reduction, and yield improvement.
• Oversee process control methods, including SPC, statistical analysis, and data‑driven decision making.
• Collaborate with Operations to improve throughput, capacity planning, and manufacturability of aerospace fasteners.
• Identify and implement cost‑reduction opportunities while maintaining product integrity and compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop quality and manufacturing engineering teams.

• College degree in Mathematics or Science Discipline - Preferred. CQE/CQA certification desired.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Quality Manager and system auditor, preferably in the Aerospace and/or Fasteners industries.
• Knowledge of QMS Systems including ISO9001, AS9100, NADCAP; composing and auditing of policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Project management experience involving proven collaboration, initiation and execution skills leading to successful completion of business improvements.
• Ability to lead change and drive cultural alignment around quality and operational excellence.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma, ITAR, and Export Compliance desired.
• Experience in risk analysis (e.g., establishing risk documents such as FMEA’s).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, process control, and industrial engineering principles.
• Familiarity with common approvals and the basic requirements of Quality Management Systems equivalent to the latest revision of AS9100 and NADCAP.
• Must be responsive and driven, with a strong desire to achieve personal success/Goals and a keen sense of competitiveness.
• Must be intelligent, articulate, charismatic, and possess good emotional intelligence to get the best out relationships with supplier and colleagues.
• Must be able to manage changing priorities and ambiguity whilst remaining calm, controlled, and professional.
• Must demonstrate ability to forge strong, trusting relationships with key supplier contacts and mutually supportive relationships internally.
• Must be well organized and willing to travel when necessary, between the Southern California Avantus Aerospace sites.
• Experience working in a regulated, high‑reliability manufacturing environment.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Location: Valley Glen, CA