Quality Manager

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier. With 38 manufacturing locations in 12 countries, we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers. We design and manufacture innovative smart aerospace systems and components. Our technologies are used in aircraft ranging from the most used single aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world to business jets and the world’s advanced5th generation fighter aircraft.

Job Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for the functional management of quality engineering and inspection teams. The Quality Manager directly oversees a team of Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors and reports directly to the Quality Director. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Quality Manager to join our team at GKN Aerospace, a growing aerospace and defense manufacturing company in Garden Grove, CA. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines while driving continuous improvement across all quality processes. This exciting role offers the opportunity to manage multiple customers and business lines, playing a pivotal part in driving overall business performance at the site.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and lead a highly engaged team of quality engineers, inspectors, and technicians; ensure they have what they need to be successful; and keep them safe in order to deliver the highest quality aerospace transparencies on time to our customers.
• Create and sustain a culture aligned with our "Great Place to Work" values by role-modeling behaviors, motivating, and recognizing team contributions.
• Lead teams to understand and achieve safety, quality, delivery and productivity targets.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to tackle quality challenges across production operations and business processes, leveraging Six Sigma, Lean, and other proven methodologies to enhance effectiveness and elevate performance.
• Execute Daily Management and Standardized Work through Leader Standard Work.
• Be open and honest in performance appraisals, supporting and coaching individuals to close performance gaps.
• Support the improvement and maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with AS9100, and other applicable standards.
• Oversee internal and external audits, including customer and regulatory audits (e.g., FAA, DoD).
• Initiate and respond to internal, customer or regulatory Corrective Actions.
• Develop and monitor quality metrics and KPIs to drive performance improvements.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and supply chain teams to ensure product quality throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, drawings, and contractual requirements.
  
  

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Quality, Mechanical, Chemical, and/or Systems Engineering or similar required
• 5 years of quality manufacturing experience
• 2 years of management, supervisory, or leadership professional experience
• Must be U.S. Person in compliance with U.S. ITAR regulations
• Excellent communications skills and ability to organize and implement multiple concurrent tasks.
• Aerospace or aircraft parts manufacturing industry experience
• Structured problem solving tools (PFMEA, DOE, 5-why, etc.).
• Knowledge of AS9100, Rev D
• Proficiency in conducting First Article Inspections in compliance with AS9102 standards
• Skilled with Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace or aircraft parts manufacturing industry experience with Boeing, Sikorsky and/or Bombardier.
• Proficient with product analysis in a model based definition (CATIA V5, UGNX, etc.) environment.
• Internal audit training/experience and statistical analysis experience highly preferred.
• Skilled in overseeing aerospace quality management systems to ensure compliance and operational excellence.
• Advanced skills with Excel, plus Mini tab and Visual Basic preferred.
  
  

Compensation Data

Compensation Range: $117,106.00 - $146,383.00

Why Join Us

• Work with cutting-edge technology and innovative projects.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and growth opportunities.
• Be part of a company shaping the future of aerospace and defense.
  
  

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.