Director of Quality

Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Quality to join our growing team in San Diego. At Firestorm Labs, we are building the future of distributed, mission-adaptive airpower for the modern warfighter. In your leadership position you will be responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and standards for quality across the entire product lifecycle, from supplier to customer delivery.

You will build and own Firestorm's quality management system, lead the company to AS9100 compliance and certification, and grow the quality team from a small core into Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Inspection functions. You will also scale quality systems to support rapid production growth across our products and sites worldwide, serve as the primary quality interface with defense customers and auditors, and build a culture where quality is owned by every team. In addition, you will report to the VP of Manufacturing while quality processes and systems are being established, and will lead an independent quality organization ahead of AS9100 certification.

What You’ll Do

• Quality strategy and leadership: This is the core of the role. You'll define the quality vision, objectives, and roadmap for Firestorm, and align quality priorities with production ramp, program commitments, and business growth.
• Team building: Lead, hire, and develop the quality organization, including Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Inspection, with clear expectations and a path for growth.
• QMS and AS9100: Own Firestorm's path to AS9100 in its entirety. Build a quality management system that serves all of Firestorm worldwide, reach AS9100 compliance within your first 90 days, and lead the company through certification. This includes document control, internal audits, management review, and certification audits.
• Supplier quality strategy: Set the standards for supplier selection, qualification, audits, and performance monitoring, and ensure suppliers are held accountable through corrective action and scorecards.
• Corrective action system: Own a closed-loop NCMR, MRB, and RCCA process, ensuring root causes are verified and corrective actions are effective before closure.
• Quality by design: Partner with engineering, NPI, and manufacturing to ensure quality is designed in, not inspected in, through APQP, PFMEA, control plans, first article inspection, and ECO implementation.
• Customer and regulatory interface: Serve as the primary quality point of contact for customers, government representatives, and third-party auditors, and ensure compliance with contractual, flow-down, and regulatory agency requirements across our production and flight test locations.
• Metrics and reporting: Define the quality KPIs that matter (DPPM, first pass yield, cost of poor quality, CAR closure), and report performance and risk to executive leadership.
• Measurement systems: Ensure inspection, calibration, and measurement systems (MSA, gage R&R) keep pace with production ramp and an evolving product line.
• Continuous improvement: Drive continuous improvement and a culture of quality ownership across Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering.
• Audits and inspections: Lead customer source inspections, certification audits, and regulatory audits.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related discipline). In lieu of a degree, 20 years of progressive experience in discipline.
• 'U.S. Person' as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62 required due to ITAR regulations, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), or protected individuals under asylee or refugee status
• 15+ years of progressive quality experience in an aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years leading quality teams, including managing engineers, inspectors, and/or managers.
• Experience building and implementing an AS9100 or equivalent quality management system from the ground up and taking it through certification.
• Experience leading AS9100 certification, customer, and/or regulatory audits.
• Experience managing supplier quality programs, including audits, corrective action (SCARs), and supplier development.
• Strong command of quality tools and methodologies: RCCA (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone), APQP, FMEA, control plans, SPC, and MSA.
• Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence cross-functional leaders, suppliers, and customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• AS9100 Lead Auditor certification.
• ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
• Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement training.
• Experience with DoD contract quality requirements and supporting DCMA, customer, and other regulatory agency audits.
• Experience with unmanned systems, electromechanical assemblies, or mixed hardware/software builds.
• Experience managing quality across multiple sites, including international locations.
• Experience implementing digital quality tools, eQMS, or MES platforms.
• Startup or high-growth company experience.

Work Environment

• Position is working onsite at our headquarters in San Diego, CA.
• Travel up to 20%, including traveling to domestic and international sites.
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating. Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.

Compensation

• Base Salary: $175,000 - $210,000 base, commensurate with experience
• Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we're building toward a future defined by incontestable defense logistics. That means equipping warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the point of need. Not in months, not from a depot halfway around the world, but now, in the field, on demand.

We're a VC-backed defense technology company pioneering an expeditionary manufacturing ecosystem that produces and sustains modular, mission-adaptable unmanned systems, parts and components for repair and sustainment, and the software to transform point solutions into a network of strategic assets.

We're building a team of engineers, operators, and problem-solvers who believe the future of deterrence cannot rely only on expensive, exquisite platforms made in centralized factories. We build and field affordable systems using distributed production capabilities at the edge. If you want to solve challenging problems that will reshape the future of defense, you're in the right place.

Why This Role, Why Now

Firestorm is at an inflection point. Fielded systems, real customers, and an aggressive production and development roadmap mean quality matters more every day. The person who takes this role will build the quality organization and systems that scale with us, and they'll have the autonomy and organizational support to do it right.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative, and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in looking after our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Equity grants for new hires
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July & December.
• Generous parental leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA 
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance 
• Critical Illness insurance 
• Accident insurance 
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce. Because this position requires a security clearance, U.S. citizenship is required.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.