Quality Manager

Who We Are
At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors — regardless of their defense budget — through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost. About the Role Firestorm Labs is seeking a proactive and strategic Quality Manager to join our growing team in San Diego. The Site Quality Manager is a high-impact, hands-on leader responsible for ensuring that new hardware products are introduced into production with robust quality designs, scalable processes, and compliant documentation. You will play a critical role in bridging hardware design, new product integration, and core quality management principles to ensure reliable, repeatable, and safe product performance.
In this role, you will serve as the primary quality representative partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations throughout the entire product development lifecycle. You will apply best practices from standards such as ISO 9001 to implement right-sized quality processes that support operational efficiency, early production builds, and future compliance needs. You will also be responsible for building the site’s quality control function, including inspection, test capabilities, and supplier quality processes from the ground up. What You'll Do

• Participate in all phases of the NPI lifecycle, including design reviews, process development, validation, and prototype and pilot build events.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to gather product and process data and develop quality plans, inspection criteria, control strategies, and test methods for new products.
• Develop and execute a strategy to establish Quality Control processes and capabilities that support low-rate initial production and production ramp.
• Conduct risk analyses such as FMEA, DFMEA, and PFMEA and ensure mitigation actions are implemented, verified, and tracked.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify issues, drive timely resolution, and strengthen the NPI process.
• Work with design, manufacturing, and supply chain to embed quality requirements into product and process design.
• Develop the site’s supplier quality assurance strategy and supporting processes.
• Review and approve first article inspections, PPAP packages, qualification builds, and validation reports.
• Lead root cause analyses and own corrective and preventive actions related to NPI quality issues.
• Support process capability studies and implement statistical control methods where appropriate.
• Drive lessons learned, standardization, and continuous improvement into future NPI programs.
• Develop the roadmap for Quality Management System implementation and build scalable processes that enable business continuity, compliance, and long-term growth.
• Provide training, mentorship, and quality guidance to engineering, operations, and technical teams.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical field.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and Product Lifecycle Change Management processes.
• Demonstrated experience with FMEAs, control plans, PPAPs, and ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 quality systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, design for manufacturability, and process validation.
• Solid understanding of aerospace or industrial quality systems, inspection methods, and quality engineering fundamentals.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and U.S. Government acquisition regulations.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply new concepts accurately, and manage evolving priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication and c