Quality Director

Description

Rugged Science designs and manufactures ruggedized, passive thermally managed embedded computers, shock-hardened operator interface panels, ruggedized LED displays, and other custom rugged solutions as well as industrial computers and servers.

Rugged Science is seeking a Quality Director to join our team. The Quality Director provides strategic leadership and operational ownership of the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) and has primary responsibility for ensuring product quality by developing, implementing, and maintaining robust quality standards and processes.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead, maintain, and continually improve the AS9100-certified Quality Management System, including management review, internal audits, nonconformance and corrective action systems (including FRACAS), and risk management processes. 

· Establish quality strategy, objectives, metrics (KPIs), and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business goals and customer requirements. 

· Oversee quality engineering, inspection, testing, and calibration functions to ensure product conformity throughout the product lifecycle (design, manufacturing, test, and delivery). 

· Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, applicable MIL-STD requirements, customer quality clauses, and other regulatory or contractual requirements. 

· Manage supplier quality programs, including supplier selection, qualification, performance monitoring, audits, and development. 

· Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and audit findings. 

· Drive design quality and Design for Manufacturability/Testability (DFM/DFT) practices in collaboration with engineering. 

· Participate in product design reviews to represent quality requirements and concerns. 

· Prepare for and host external audits (certification body, customer, and government). 

· Develop and mentor the quality team; foster a company-wide culture of quality ownership and accountability. 

· Report quality performance, trends, and risks to executive leadership and support strategic decision-making. 

· Champion process standardization and data-driven quality improvements. 

· Ensure competency-based training related to the QMS and quality-critical processes is defined, delivered, and maintained.

Requirements

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

· 10+ years of progressive quality experience in electronics, computing hardware, aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability manufacturing environments. 

· 5+ years in a quality leadership role with direct responsibility for an AS9100 (or equivalent aerospace/defense) QMS. 

· Deep working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and related aerospace/defense quality standards and practices. 

· Proven experience with product realization processes for complex electronic or electro-mechanical systems, including design control, configuration management, and environmental/qualification testing. 

· Strong background in supplier quality management, internal auditing, FRACAS systems, and risk-based thinking. 

· Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. 

· Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance (if applicable to the role/location).

Preferred Qualifications

· ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or equivalent professional certification. 

· Experience with ruggedized or military-grade electronics, environmental testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810), and related qualification processes. 

· Familiarity with ITAR, DFARS, and government contracting quality requirements. 

· Experience implementing or leading Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives. 

· Prior experience hosting customer and third-party audits in an AS9100 environment. 

· Direct experience inspecting sheet metal and welded assemblies. 

· Direct experience inspecting electronic assemblies and familiarity with IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, and IPC-A-630.

Working Environment

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and senior management. Occasional travel for supplier audits, customer visits, or training may be required.

This position is ideal for a quality leader who thrives in a high-reliability product environment and is passionate about building robust systems that deliver dependable performance in the most demanding conditions.

Rugged Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer.