At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Quality and Configuration Management for major defence hardware programs across multiple locations.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace and defence organisation in Franklin, MA.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence technology while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in Aerospace & Defence quality management and strong leadership experience required.
The Panther Group is seeking an experienced Director of Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management for a leadership opportunity with a leading defense and aerospace organization in Franklin, MA. This is a senior leadership position responsible for leading Quality and Configuration Management across multiple U.S. business entities, supporting both hardware manufacturing and services. The role will have immediate responsibility for major defense hardware programs while also building and strengthening enterprise-wide quality and configuration management processes, systems, and teams. The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in Aerospace & Defense quality, configuration management, manufacturing, DoD programs, and organizational leadership.
Position Details
- Location: Franklin, MA
- Schedule: Full-time, onsite
- Travel: Up to 25% domestic travel, with occasional international travel
- Industry: Aerospace & Defense
- Employment Type: Direct/Professional Opportunity
- Citizenship: U.S. Person required under ITAR/EAR
- Clearance: Eligibility for a U.S. security clearance preferred/required as applicable
What You'll Do
- Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management
- Lead the Quality and Configuration Management organization across multiple U.S. locations.
- Develop and execute enterprise-wide strategies that improve product quality, compliance, configuration control, and delivery performance.
- Lead and develop a team of approximately 25 quality engineering professionals.
- Establish scalable processes, systems, and best practices across the organization.
- Production & Program Quality
- Own quality performance for major defense manufacturing programs from First Article Inspection and production readiness through sustained production and Government acceptance.
- Drive process control, first-pass yield, rolled throughput yield, and other quality metrics in partnership with Operations.
- Lead material review, nonconformance management, root cause analysis, and corrective action through verified closure.
- Reduce product escapes and cost of poor quality.
- Customer & Government Interface
- Serve as a senior quality point of contact for customers, Government quality representatives, and DCMA.
- Lead customer and Government engagements involving audits, corrective action requests, deviations, and waivers.
- Provide executive-level briefings on quality performance, risks, configuration issues, and improvement initiatives.
- Configuration Management
- Oversee configuration management throughout the product lifecycle.
- Maintain configuration baselines and configuration control.
- Lead engineering change management, including Engineering Change Proposals, deviations, waivers, and configuration control boards.
- Ensure traceability from as-designed through as-built configurations.
- Maintain configuration integrity while engineering changes and production activities are occurring simultaneously.
- Supplier Quality
- Establish supplier quality requirements and flow-downs.
- Lead source inspections, supplier First Article Inspections, and corrective actions for critical suppliers and subcontractors.
- Support counterfeit parts prevention and applicable DFARS requirements.
- Continuous Improvement & QMS
- Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- Improve yield, quality, cycle time, escape rates, and cost of poor quality.
- Oversee compliance with applicable quality standards and certifications, including AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and CMMI-SVC ML3.
- Continue to mature and standardize the enterprise Quality Management System.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
- Build quality and configuration requirements into program schedules, engineering change processes, and material flow.
- Influence decisions and drive results across a matrix organization without relying solely on direct authority.
- Mentor and develop quality professionals and build organizational capability for long-term growth.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
- 12+ years of relevant experience in Aerospace & Defense Quality and Configuration Management within hardware manufacturing environments.
- At least 5 years of experience leading quality managers and engineers.
- Proven experience leading quality on a DoD or federal program through First Article/qualification testing and into production delivery and Government acceptance.
- Strong manufacturing and operational quality experience, including:
- Material review
- Nonconformance management
- Root cause and corrective action
- Process control
- Supplier quality Requirements flow-down
- Hands-on configuration management experience with:
- Engineering change proposals
- Deviations and waivers
- Configuration control boards
- Configuration baselines
- Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and quality tools.
- Working knowledge of AS9100D and AS9102.
- Experience working with Government quality representatives and/or DCMA.
- Demonstrated success leading geographically dispersed, cross-functional teams.
- Excellent executive-level communication and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- U.S. Person as defined by ITAR/EAR.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related field.
- ASQ CMQ/OE, Six Sigma Black Belt, or Configuration Management certification such as CMII or EIA-649.
- Experience with ISO 9001, CMMI, and EIA-649.
- Experience harmonizing quality systems across multiple sites or business units.
- Experience working directly with U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, or other DoD customers.
- Strong knowledge of DFARS quality requirements and DCMA processes.
- Supplier quality leadership within defense hardware programs.
- Experience with Costpoint or another ERP system and PLM-based configuration management tools.
- Experience driving enterprise-level KPIs, annual operating plans, and measurable quality improvements.
- Eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Why Join This Opportunity?
This is an opportunity to take a key leadership role in building and strengthening an enterprise-wide Quality and Configuration Management organization supporting critical defense hardware programs. The position combines strategic leadership, hands-on program quality, configuration management, team development, and continuous improvement.
Salary
Salary: $189,000 to $238,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Director of Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management in Leeds employer: THE PANTHER GROUP
The Panther Group offers an exceptional work environment for the Director of Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management, situated in Franklin, MA, a hub for defense and aerospace innovation. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises professional growth, with opportunities to lead significant defence programs while implementing cutting-edge quality management practices. With competitive salaries and a commitment to continuous improvement, this role is ideal for those seeking meaningful contributions in a dynamic industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management in Leeds
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with THE PANTHER GROUP for a Director of Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Enterprise Quality & Configuration Management in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at THE PANTHER GROUP, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At THE PANTHER GROUP, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE PANTHER GROUP
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with THE PANTHER GROUP.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with THE PANTHER GROUP. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like THE PANTHER GROUP love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
