Vice President of Quality - Aerospace and Defense Solutions (ADS)

Your Job

As the Vice President of Quality, you will provide executive leadership for the quality function across the Aerospace and Defense Solutions (ADS) division, overseeing all aspects of quality strategy, systems, and culture for multiple manufacturing sites. You will be responsible for guiding, leading, and executing the quality vision for the division, ensuring that our products and processes meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. You will lead continuous assessment and improvement of business processes, champion customer satisfaction, and ensure alignment with corporate objectives and industry best practices.

Our Team

You will be a key member of the ADS Senior Leadership Team, collaborating closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Compliance, and Customer teams. Our quality organization is deeply integrated across all functions to deliver mission-critical products that exceed customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

What You Will Do

• Develop the Quality function in ADS in accordance with PBM principles.
• Guide, lead, and execute the quality vision for the ADS division.
• Lead continuous assessment and improvement of processes within the business, identifying deficiencies and assisting in developing corrective actions.
• Manage Quality and Customer Certifications (ISO, AS9100, MIL standards, etc.).
• Manage customer quality problem resolution, corrective actions, and customer report cards.
• Monitor and report on Quality metrics for the division.
• Lead and engage with cross functional teams to improve Customer Scorecard metrics.
• Ensure all quality activities are carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing business operations, including ITAR requirements.
• Oversee the Business Management System (BMS), ensuring compliance with AS9100 and other applicable regulatory and customer requirements.
• Develop and deploy quality strategies, policies, and metrics that drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee internal and external audits, corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and management reviews.
• Mentor and develop quality leaders and professionals across all sites, fostering a culture of ownership, transparency, and excellence in accordance with PBM principles.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and design transfer processes to ensure quality is built into every stage of the product lifecycle.
• Represent ADS in industry forums, regulatory engagements, and with key customers as the executive quality leader.
• Travel as needed to support site operations, customer engagements, audits, and strategic initiatives.
• Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.
• Fifteen or more years of related experience or training, with at least 7 years in a senior multi-site or corporate leadership role; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Deep knowledge of AS9100, ISO, MIL standards, and quality systems in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management.
• Ability to apply principles of advanced mathematics and statistics, and logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of problems.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Master's degree in Quality, Engineering Management, or Business Administration.
• Master Black Belt Certification. (optional)
• Certified Lead Auditor (AS9100 or ISO9001).
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing.
• Familiarity with advanced quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, 8D), ERP and QMS platforms.
• Demonstrated success in driving enterprise-wide quality initiatives and cultural transformation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, and controls, and reach with arms and hands. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and depth perception.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and may occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Hiring Philosophy

We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We are a Military Ready and Second Chance employer. Learn more about our hiring philosophy at https://jobs.kochcareers.com/pages/culture.

Who We Are

As a leader in mission-critical manufacturing, we are committed to delivering products that perform in the most demanding environments-from aerospace and defense to medical and industrial applications. Our legacy of innovation and quality is built on a foundation of integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aqui, or tu).

In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.