Atropos · Arlington
Head of Quality
POSITION SUMMARY The Head of Quality is a senior leadership position responsible for establishing, implementing, and maturing all quality management functions ...
POSITION SUMMARY
The Head of Quality is a senior leadership position responsible for establishing, implementing, and maturing all quality
management functions across Atropos Group's development and production operations. This role is the company's primary quality
authority and will serve as the central driver of the Production Approval process — leading the quality system infrastructure,
processes, and organizational readiness required to achieve an FAA Production Certificate (PC). The Head of Quality will build and
lead a high-performing quality organization from the ground up, shaping the culture, systems, and procedures necessary to support
production certification activities, entry into service, and long-term operational excellence in a highly regulated aerospace
environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
FAA PRODUCTION CERTIFICATION & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
- Serve as the company's primary quality authority and key point of contact for all FAA Production Certificate (PC) activities
- Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) to satisfy FAA PC
requirements under 14 CFR Part 21
- Coordinate directly with FAA personnel and Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) throughout the PC application and
approval process
- Develop and maintain the Production Approval Holder (PAH) quality manual, quality procedures, and associated command media in
support of PC issuance
- Support Type Certificate (TC) activities by ensuring that design-to-production traceability, conformity inspections, and first
article evaluations are executed in compliance with FAA requirements
- Monitor and interpret applicable FAA regulations, policy updates, and airworthiness directives for impact on quality processes
and production readiness
- Lead internal and external quality audits in support of FAA oversight, including responses to findings and implementation of
corrective actions
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (QMS) DEVELOPMENT & MAINTENANCE
- Architect and implement a scalable, AS9100D-aligned QMS that supports both current development activities and future high-rate
production
- Establish and maintain the full suite of quality procedures, work instructions, and forms constituting the company's quality
command media structure
- Drive QMS integration across all functional areas including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and program management
- Develop and maintain Quality plans for all major programs, ensuring appropriate inspection, verification, and validation gates
are defined and executed
- Own the internal audit program, including scheduling, execution, corrective action tracking, and management review inputs
- Establish and monitor quality KPIs and metrics to provide leadership with visibility into system health and performance trends
- Lead periodic Management Review processes and provide executive leadership with quality system status reports and improvement
recommendations
- Ensure seamless integration between the QMS and the company’s Safety Management System (SMS), establishing clear interfaces
between quality processes and the four SMS components defined under 14 CFR Part 5 (Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management,
Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion)
- Collaborate with the SMS program manager to ensure that nonconformance data, CAPA outcomes, and audit findings feed into the
SMS Safety Assurance function, supporting hazard identification, risk assessment, and continuous monitoring obligations under
Part 5
- Support development of integrated QMS/SMS documentation architecture to avoid duplication, ensure traceability across both
systems, and present a cohesive compliance posture to the FAA during PC and SMS acceptance activities
PRODUCTION QUALITY & NONCONFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
- Establish and lead all production quality functions including receiving inspection, in-process inspection, and final acceptance
activities
- Own and administer the Material Review Board (MRB) process, including disposition of nonconforming materials, components, and
assemblies
- Develop and implement robust nonconformance reporting (NCR) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes that drive root
cause elimination
- Ensure First Article Inspection (FAI) processes comply with AS9102 requirements and support the TC/PC certification record
- Implement statistical process control (SPC) and other data-driven quality tools to monitor production process stability and
capability
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to establish and enforce inspection points, acceptance criteria, and product
definition compliance checkpoints
- Develop and maintain test and inspection records management systems to support airworthiness documentation and regulatory
traceability
SUPPLIER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
- Establish and oversee the supplier quality program, including qualification, surveillance, and performance management for the
approved supplier list (ASL)
- Define and implement supplier quality requirements, flow-down clauses, and quality purchase order terms aligned with AS9100D
and FAA regulations
- Lead supplier audits and assessments, including delegation of Supplier Source Inspection where required
- Manage supplier corrective action processes and ensure timely resolution of supplier-originated nonconformances
- Collaborate with Supply Chain on supplier selection, risk assessment, and development initiatives to build a capable and
compliant supplier base
TEAM LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing quality organization scaled to meet the demands of the production ramp and PC
certification milestones
- Establish organizational structure, roles, and hiring plan for the quality function in alignment with the overall manufacturing
headcount roadmap
- Foster a culture of quality consciousness, accountability, and continuous improvement across the entire organization
- Implement talent development programs, training curricula, and succession planning for key quality positions
- Serve as a senior voice for quality in cross-functional forums, program reviews, and executive-level discussions
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Quality Systems, or a related technical field required
- Master's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or Business Administration preferred
- Professional certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or equivalent highly
desirable
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 12 years of progressive quality experience, with at least 5 years in senior quality leadership roles within aerospace,
defense, or highly regulated manufacturing
- Demonstrated experience leading or directly supporting an FAA Production Certificate application and approval process
- Deep working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21 (Production Approval), Part 43, and related FAA regulatory frameworks governing
production quality
- Hands-on experience developing and implementing AS9100D-compliant QMS from an early-stage or startup manufacturing environment
strongly preferred
- Proven track record managing MRB authority, nonconformance disposition, and CAPA programs in a production environment
- Experience conducting and managing internal and supplier quality audits, including corrective action follow-up
- Background in First Article Inspection (AS9102), acceptance test procedures, and production conformity documentation
- Familiarity with ITAR/EAR compliance requirements and their implications for quality records management and data handling
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Expert knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21 Production Approval requirements and FAA PC certification processes
- Strong working knowledge of AS9100D Quality Management System requirements and audit methodology
- Familiarity with AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements and conformity documentation standards
- Proficiency with quality management tools including FMEA, SPC, Root Cause Analysis, and related methodologies
- Experience with PLM and MES systems in a production environment; familiarity with Siemens Teamcenter or equivalent preferred
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills; ability to translate quality data into actionable insights for leadership
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Exceptional ability to build quality organizations and systems from early-stage foundations toward full production readiness
- Strategic thinker who can balance near-term certification deliverables with long-term system maturity goals
- Strong communicator and collaborator capable of engaging credibly with FAA personnel, executive leadership, and production
teams alike
- Decisive and technically grounded — able to make sound risk acceptance decisions under pressure
- Change agent mindset with demonstrated ability to drive quality culture in a fast-paced, resource-constrained startup
environment
- High integrity and attention to detail; models the standard of compliance and rigor expected of the broader organization
- Effective mentor and people developer committed to building lasting organizational quality capability
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Professional office and manufacturing environment; regular presence on the production floor expected as facilities come online
- Domestic travel required (up to 20-30%) for supplier visits/audits, FAA meetings, and industry engagements
- Initially remote with transition to on-site at Atropos manufacturing headquarters; exact location to be determined in
connection with facility site selection
- May require extended hours during critical certification milestones, audit preparation periods, or production launch activities
- Must be authorized to work in the United States; ability to work with ITAR-controlled technical data required