Quality Manager - Hilton Head, South Carolina

Company Summary

We are a precision machining job shop. The company focuses on high-end, low-volume, high-complexity, tight-tolerance parts for customers. It has invested heavily in state-of-the-art equipment and is transitioning from an early startup phase to a more mature operation. The company emphasizes innovation, precision, and excellence in serving mission-critical aerospace, space, military, and related sectors.

Job Summary

This is a hands-on Quality Manager position that owns both the Quality Management System (QMS) and the quality team, with a strong emphasis on precision machining inspection, evolving quality expectations from demanding customers and leading the implementation/integration of new metrology equipment. The ideal candidate is a proactive, energetic, driver type who thrives in a fast-paced, small-team environment, actively engages on the shop floor, pushes change, builds processes/teams from the ground up, and partners with leadership to rapidly elevate quality capabilities. This is not a desk-bound role—expect real-time problem-solving with machinists and dynamic team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Establish uniform standards for production processes, product quality, and customer support services.
• Anticipate and mitigate potential issues in advance, emphasizing thorough root cause investigations and implementation of corrective/preventive measures.
• Conduct both internal and supplier quality audits, then prepare comprehensive reports documenting results in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
• Foster a high-performing team by providing guidance, mentorship, targeted skill development, and regular performance reviews.
• Guide the organization successfully through customer evaluations and AS9100 certification audits.
• Serve as the primary Quality representative when engaging with customers.
• Direct and take part in First Article Inspections (FAI) and associated documentation following AS9102 guidelines.
• Take full ownership of selecting, introducing, and rolling out new on-floor inspection and CMM systems—including equipment choice, workflow integration, deployment approach, staff training, and related procedure development.
• Oversee the entire quality organization and function, encompassing inspection activities, record-keeping, and audit programs.
• Drive continuous enhancement of quality processes via internal assessments, targeted improvement initiatives, and gathering actionable input from important stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Practical, in-depth expertise in metrology and high-accuracy inspection, particularly within precision machining settings involving very tight tolerances.
• Substantial proven track record with AS9100 quality management systems
• Demonstrated experience in deploying and operating Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) and other shop-floor inspection tools, including decisions on location, operational strategy, programming ownership, and incorporation into ongoing production checks.
• Comprehensive knowledge across a wide range of metrology tools: CMMs, optical/vision-based systems, optical comparators, along with conventional instruments (such as height gauges, calipers, micrometers, etc.).
• Proven ability to effectively lead both personnel and quality management systems
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities when dealing directly with customers (professional, concise, and confident when interacting with rigorous space and defense prime contractors).
• Leadership style: Assertive, high-energy “driver” personality—proactive, decisive, comfortable driving organizational change, inspiring team members, and delivering results.
• Thrives in a compact, rapidly evolving company setting; excels at fast decision-making, creative problem resolution, and enjoys developing new processes and teams from the ground up.
• Strongly hands-on and shop-floor focused
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Position requires full-time on-site presence

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• Solid proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and advanced precision measurement techniques.

Compensation/Benefits

• Target base salary around $150,000
• Relocation support available
• Bonus negotiable
• Benefits include Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance (100% of employee premium covered; 50% for spouse/family), high-deductible plan with HSA offset, and 401(k) with employer match

Location

Near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina