Quality Manager

FMS Aerospace is seeking a highly organized and detail‑oriented Quality Manager to join our Huntsville team. The Quality Manager is responsible for leading, developing, updating and maintaining the organization’s Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with revolving AS9100 standards and customer/regulatory requirements. This role oversees all quality-related functions across various departments, ensuring consistent adherence to quality policies and procedures, and facilitates the company’s best practices within an aerospace/ aviation environment.

The Quality Manager provides leadership for quality assurance initiatives, including First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation, Certificates of Conformance (CoCs), and continuous improvement efforts to ensure product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Systems Manual (QSM) Oversight & Ownership

• Develop, implement, and maintain the AS9100-compliant Quality Management System across all departments having an in-depth knowledge of all company processes and procedures.
• Uphold/ensure company-wide adherence to internal quality policies, procedures, and industry regulations.
• Lead internal and external audits, including AS9100 certification and surveillance audits.
• Act as the primary liaison with customers and regulatory bodies on quality-related matters.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Oversee all quality assurance (QA) operations, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards and contractual requirements.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with FAA, AS9100, ISO, and customer-specific requirements.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) across the company related to quality, defects, and process improvements.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes.
• Create and maintain corrective action requests (CARs), both internally and externally.

First Article Inspection (FAI) & Documentation

• Ensure proper execution and review of First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9100 standards.
• Oversee the preparation, validation, and retention of all FAI documentation.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of inspection records, test reports, and quality documentation.

Certificates of Conformance (CoC)

• Review and authorize Certificates of Conformance to ensure alignment with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure traceability of materials, processes, and components throughout the production lifecycle.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain/Procurement, and Operations to embed quality systems into all processes.
• Train and mentor staff on quality standards, procedures, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Drive a culture of quality, accountability, and operational excellence across the organization.

Supplier Quality Management

• Oversee supplier qualification, audits, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure supplier compliance with AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead initiatives focused on process improvement, waste reduction, and defect prevention.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, AIMM or similar methodologies to enhance product quality and efficiency.
• Identify risks and opportunities for improvement within the QMS.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of quality management experience in the aerospace/aviation industry.
• Proven experience managing or maintaining an AS9100-certified Quality Management System.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to excel in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Active DoD Secret (or higher) Security Clearance.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of:
  • GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
  • Reading mechanical drawings
  • AS-9100 / ISO:9001 standards
  • FAA regulations and aerospace compliance requirements
  • Quality auditing (internal and external)
  • Root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, etc.)
• Experience with FAI documentation and CoC processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Leadership and team management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, regulated environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in aviation airframe modifications and/or the aerospace industry.
• DoD or military experience.
• Experience utilizing FARO scanning arm in an internal controlled environment and externally in the field.
• Experience in PolyWorks Metrology Suite
• ASQ certifications (e.g., Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE))
• Experience and/or working knowledge with SolidWorks CAD software.
• Experience with Unanet software.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and quality management software.
• Experience supporting engineering or design teams.
• Aerospace machining or manufacturing background.

• Lean Six Sigma certification.

Working Conditions

• Office and manufacturing floor environment
• Occasional travel for supplier audits, customer visits, and certification audits (less than 20% of time)

FMS Aerospace Company Profile

Founded in 2013, FMS is a growing, flexible, customer-driven aircraft structural engineering and flight test company with manufacturing capability.  We have many opportunities with a variety of types of projects with both foreign and domestic governments and commercial customers across many types of aircraft.  Our parent company, Bridger Aerospace is an aerial firefighting and critical infrastructure support company based in Belgrade, Montana. It was founded in 2014 to support front-line firefighters with world-leading technology and aerial fire suppression systems. Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to commanding a significant Air Attack fleet, Special Missions Sensor Equipped Aircraft, and the largest privately operated Super Scooper fleet in the world. 

Located in Huntsville, AL within minutes of the cultural center of downtown Huntsville.

Benefits and Perks

• Industry-competitive compensation package
• Company performance-based bonus plan
• Equity stock-based compensation package
• Employer-funded comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• 401k with company match
• PTO & holiday pay
• Employer-funded life and disability insurance coverages

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings and its family of companies does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal or state law in matters of employment, promotion, services or activities it operates. All decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment within FMS.