Lead Quality Specialist

The posting, as Aechelon Technology wrote it

Aechelon Technology, a Shield AI company, is a leading producer of 3D simulator content, including Geospecific visual/sensor databases and realistic 3D models. We seek people who share our passion for real-time computer graphics and commitment to our mission of helping make our Nation’s pilots safer. We will give you a chance to work with some of the most talented people in the graphics industry.

Own and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) for Aechelon Technology’s simulation products, programs, and services within Shield AI. Drive quality from development through delivery and support, working across Engineering, Program Management, Operations, Contracts and Procurement to turn requirements into clear actions and verified results.

Serve as the primary quality liaison for customers, suppliers, and subcontracts. Ensure customer quality commitments flow down to suppliers and subcontractors and are met throughout execution, with Aechelon retaining accountability for subcontracted work.

This is an individual-contributor role that leads through subject-matter expertise, cross-functional influence, and process ownership, with no direct people-management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System

• Maintain QMS policies, procedures, records, and objective evidence appropriate to software, hardware, simulation, and systems integration.
• Plan and conduct risk-based internal, program, supplier, and subcontractor audits; support customer and third-party assessments, including audits required to maintain ISO 9001:2015 certification.
• Coordinate with responsible functions to incorporate applicable contractual, regulatory, cybersecurity, export-control, configuration-management, and documentation requirements into quality planning.
• Establish measurable quality objectives and KPIs, and regularly report quality performance, trends, significant risks, and recommended actions to Aechelon Technology and Shield AI leadership.
• Use quality data, audit findings, and lessons learned to identify systemic issues, prioritize process improvements, and verify their effectiveness.

Customer and Program Quality

• Serve as a primary customer quality contract and coordinate responses to customer quality inquiries, Corrective Action Requests (CARs), nonconformances, and quality concerns.
• Ensure required quality documentation, certifications, inspection records, test results, and other deliverables are complete and provided to customers as required.
• Partner with Program Management and functional-teams to incorporate customer quality commitments into program execution and verified completion before customer acceptance and delivery.

Subcontractor and Supplier Quality

• Identify applicable customer requirements and work with Contracts, Procurement, Engineering, and Program Management to incorporate them into subcontracts, purchase orders, statements of work, and supplier quality clauses.
• Define expectations fo

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tration, or a related field, plus typically 8+ years of related quality experience (6+ with a master’s, 3+ with a PhD). An equivalent mix of education and experience also qualifies.

• QMS expertise: Advanced knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and of owning a QMS. This includes running audits and serving as the primary quality contact for customers during external certification audits.
• Industry experience: Quality experience with simulation, aerospace, defense, or other complex hardware/software products, including setting and enforcing supplier quality requirements.
• ISO 9001 lead auditor training or certification, ASQ CQE, ASQ CQA, or a related quality credential.

Compensation and Benefits

$109,600 - $164,400 per year

Final compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.

We offer a very attractive compensation package including competitive base salary, company performance-based profit sharing, 401k, 100% employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, std, ltd, and life insurance plans).

No relocation reimbursement provided.

For more information about our company, please visit www.shield.ai.

This position description is not intended to be a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee holding this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or others may be assigned at any time by the Company with notice to the employee.

Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant who is unable to fully utilize/access our application process because of a disability, Aechelon Technology will provide a reasonable accommodation. Please send an email to dl-aechelon_hr-team@shield.ai to request that accommodation, and please be sure to include a detailed description of your requested accommodation, your name and preferred method of contact.