Job Description Summary

The Defense Operations Quality Systems Leader is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Defense Quality and Safety Management System to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements for Defense Engine Operations. This leader will engage directly with regulators, ensuring products and processes meet or exceed Aerospace, regulatory, and GE Aerospace standards.

This role will be responsible for establishing and leading the Quality Systems, Safety Management System teams as well as leadership responsibility for Gage Management Teams for Defense Operations. This role will partner closely with Control Tower, Defense Operations and Global Quality leadership to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.

This role is ideal for a candidate with both technical depth within GE Aerospace Quality Systems as well as demonstrated experience in building high functioning teams.

Job Description

Role Summary

The Defense Operations Quality Systems Leader is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Defense Quality and Safety Management System to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements for Defense Engine Operations. This leader will engage directly with regulators, ensuring products and processes meet or exceed Aerospace, regulatory, and GE Aerospace standards.

This role will be responsible for establishing and leading the Quality Systems, Safety Management System teams as well as leadership responsibility for Gage Management Teams for Defense Operations. This role will partner closely with Control Tower, Defense Operations and Global Quality leadership to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.

This role is ideal for a candidate with both technical depth within GE Aerospace Quality Systems as well as demonstrated experience in building high functioning teams.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational and People Development

• Develop the Defense Operations Quality Management System team structure and execute to staff with the team.
• Partner closely with Global Quality Systems organization as well as Defense Engines Operations to ensure alignment/clarity on roles and responsibilities.
• Define the Safety Management System strategy, resourcing and execution for Defense Operations.
• Developing talent and succession planning for Defense Quality Systems, coaching leaders and strengthening the future pipeline.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and accountability consistent with GE Aerospace Behaviors.

Regulatory, and QMS Excellence

• Ensure strong regulatory and quality system compliance across Defense Operations, including audit readiness, execution, and closure of findings.
• Build and lead quality governance (policies, procedures, delegations), promoting standardization, simplification, and robust internal controls.
• Lead team in planning and execution of Audit (internal and external) and Risk Management for Defense Operations.
• Establish and execute training strategy across functions and roles.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Defense Operations, Defense Engineering, and Central Quality teams to continually improve regulatory and quality system compliance. 
• Drive flow down of industry standards and GE procedural changes into Defense Operations component and assembly facilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (or a high school diploma/GED with a minimum of 4 years Quality, Engineering, or operations experience)
• Minimum of 5 years in Quality, Engineering, or Manufacturing experience

Desired Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or closely related disciplines
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, or equivalent quality management systems.
• Hands-on experience with audits, CAPA, and document control processes.
• Familiarity with risk assessment methods (e.g., FMEA) and root cause analysis tools.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, regulatory requirements, and industry standards
• Demonstrated expertise in structured problem solving (e.g., PSR, 5Whys, 8D, A3, root cause analysis) and continuous improvement
• Experience working with customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and their integration with QMS.
• Experience driving cross-fu