Senior Quality Manager {D}

ARKA Group L.P. is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space domain. ARKA has a 60-year legacy reaching back to the very beginning of our country’s space endeavors. We’re a legacy of mission excellence built on ground-breaking technologies. Join the ARKA mission and discover your next career opportunity now!

 

Position Overview (Summary/Objective):

The Senior Quality Manager leads the Program Quality Engineering organization for ARKA’s Space & Defense business unit located in Danbury, CT.  Collaborating with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders, the position ensures all products meet the quality standards as defined by the contract and internal company standards.  The Sr. Manager is responsible to guide, develop and grow the Quality team.  We are looking for someone to develop and drive strategically while also working alongside the quality engineering and program team to get the job done.  This position offers an outstanding opportunity for the right individual to become an integral part of the business while continuing to grow their career in a dynamic organization. 

 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the team to meet all program quality standards.
• Lead multi-functional teams in problem resolution. Manage customer and supplier expectations.  Ensure proper escalation process is in use.
• Manage business and program performance utilizing predictive and proactive measures and metrics.
• Guide and coach the Quality team to drive performance, develop potential, and facilitate career growth. 
• Ensure compliance with existing and new regulatory requirements on “volume” products for strategic suppliers and their n-tier suppliers.
• Monitor and audit process, material, and product testing against established standards and maintain a continuous analysis of quality defects and deviations.
• Drive yield and technical process improvements at supplier, actively participate in improvement projects at suppliers regarding cycle time reductions, yield improvements and quality improvements.
• Carry-out analysis of material Quality issues through structural problem-solving processes and drive technical solutions during material escalations.
• Collaborate and maintain a positive relationship with other organization functions and internal stakeholders to ensure quality requirements are executed.
• De-risk manufacturing processes at suppliers by optimizing quality, testing and qualification infrastructure, configuration management, processes and organizational capabilities.
• Identify deficiencies or gaps in testing activities and develops solutions to ensure adequate and robust quality processes.
• Continuously assess quality processes to identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency gains, and cost reduction.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in Mission Assurance, Quality, Engineering, Operations or Business management with working knowledge of business strategic planning and proposal, engineering development, material and services acquisition, production, test, product acceptance and post-delivery support.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in management of people, processes and/or projects with ability to provide direction, coaching, training and mentorship to individuals of various skill and experience levels. 
• Hands on technical experience, including assembly, integration and testing with electro-mechanical and/or electro optical system with an emphasis on complex high reliability electronic assemblies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization to include subordinates, peers, internal/external customers, and leadership.  
• Ability to lead problem resolution across multi-functional teams and guide teams involved in corrective action. 
• Ability and willingness to provide both strategic and hands on leadership and support. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• ASQ certification (CQE or CQM)
• SAP ERP experience is a plus
• Background in AS9100 standard
• Experience within the aerospace industry

 

Location:

The position is located onsite at our facility in Danbury, CT. Located in beautiful Fairfield County, Danbury offers a diverse economy, wonderful parks, cultural attractions, an impressive mix of private and public educational institutions and a vibrant arts scene. Our facility is nestled among a remarkable selection of communities to call home all with varying price points to fit many different budgets. We’re close to New York City, Bost