Senior QMS Specialist

About the role

The is entrusted with owning the end to end integrity of the company's Quality Management System in strict alignment with AS9100D, AQAP 2110 & 23120, and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 EHS standards. This position is responsible for ensuring that every process, document, and record within the organization supports certification maintenance and regulatory compliance. The role directly protects revenue by enabling the company to remain eligible to win and retain critical aerospace and defense contracts. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce the risk and cost of poor quality, minimizing defects, rework, and potential regulatory penalties. Through proactive compliance management, you will strengthen audit readiness and outcomes, leading to smoother audits, fewer findings, and stronger relationships with customers and certification bodies. You will collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to embed quality into processes, enhancing operational performance, efficiency, consistency, and product reliability. Finally, you will build a pervasive culture of quality and accountability through training and cross-functional engagement, elevating ownership of quality at every level of the organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

Establish and maintain the AS9100D compliant Quality Management System (QMS) to protect certification, revenue, and market eligibility for aerospace and defense contracts.

Ensure ongoing compliance with AS9100D, ISO 9001, AQAP 2110 and 23120, along with applicable regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.

Lead, prepare, and support internal, external, and certification audits, managing documentation, evidence collection, and timely follow-up on nonconformities.

Act as the subject matter expert on AS9100D clauses and requirements, interpreting standards and advising cross-functional teams on implementation.

Develop, review, and control quality documentation, including procedures, work instructions, forms, and records, ensuring accuracy and traceability.

Manage the Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) process, performing root cause analysis, implementing corrective actions, and verifying effectiveness.

Monitor, analyze, and report on key quality metrics and compliance performance using defined KPIs to drive data informed decisions.

Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure compliance is integrated into operations and product realization.

Support supplier quality activities through audits, evaluations, and corrective actions to maintain quality and compliance within the supply chain.

Conduct training sessions on QMS processes and AS9100D requirements to elevate organizational awareness and accountability.

Control nonconforming products through evaluation, disposition, and documentation, ensuring appropriate escalation and resolution.

Participate in risk management and continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean and Six Sigma practices, to enhance process performance.

Ensure proper control of product and documentation changes, maintaining version control, traceability, and approval workflows.

Contribute to the development and maintenance of operational policies and procedures that reinforce quality, safety, and regulatory alignment.

Promote best practices across the organization, partnering with leadership to embed quality principles into strategic objectives and daily operations.

Requirements

Bring 3-7+ years of experience in quality assurance or compliance within aerospace or defense industries, demonstrating a clear understanding of regulated environments.

Apply hands on experience with AS9100D certification and audits, showing a practical track record of maintaining compliance and audit readiness.

Demonstrate a strong understanding of QMS principles, regulatory requirements, and the ability to translate them into effective operational controls.

Maintain and continuously improve the AS9100D compliant Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure ongoing suitability, effectiveness, and compliance.

Ensure compliance with applicable standards, including AS9100D, ISO 9001, AQAP 2110 and 23120, and customer specific contractual requirements.

Lead and support internal, external, and certification audits, preparing documentation, coordinating activities, and driving resolution of findings.

Act as a subject matter expert (SME) on AS9100D clauses and requirements, providing authoritative guidance to stakeholders.

Develop, review, and control quality documentation, ensuring that procedures, work instructions, and records are current and controlled.

Manage Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) processes, including investigation, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and effectiveness verification.

Monitor and report on key quality metrics (KPIs) and compliance performance, using insights to prioritize improvements and resource allocation.

Collaborate with cross functional teams such as engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to ensure compliance is embedded across operations.

Support supplier quality activities, including audits, evaluations, and corrective actions, to uphold quality and traceability in the supply chain.

Conduct training sessions on QMS processes and AS9100D requirements to build organizational capability and consistent application.

Ensure proper control of nonconforming products, including evaluation, disposition decisions, and thorough documentation for traceability.

Participate in risk management and continuous improvement initiatives, applying structured problem solving and process optimization methods.

Obtain FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment, which is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees and required for certain positions.

Nice to have

Pursue AS9100 Lead Auditor certification (or equivalent) to deepen expertise and support audit leadership.

Gain experience with ERP and MRP systems and quality management software to streamline processes and data integrity.

Acquire knowledge of FAA, EASA, or DoD regulatory environments to broaden compliance perspective and applicability.

Apply Lean Six Sigma certification at Green Belt or higher to strengthen analytical and improvement capabilities.

Earn a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field, or demonstrate equivalent practical experience.

Practical notes

FAA Part 107 certification must be obtained within the first 60 days of employment for applicable roles.