Quality Control Manager / Working Lead

Pen Manufacturing is seeking a hands-on Quality Control Manager / Working Lead for our Anaheim manufacturing facility.

This is not a desk-only management position. This leader will work alongside the inspection team, personally perform inspections every day, resolve production quality issues, maintain our AS9100 quality system and supervise a small team of quality inspectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Personally perform receiving, first-article, in-process and final inspections
• Inspect sheet metal, welded and CNC-machined components
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical specifications and GD&T
• Use calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMMs and other precision measurement equipment
• Lead, train and hold accountable a small team of quality inspectors
• Manage NCRs, MRB, root-cause investigations, corrective actions and customer complaints
• Maintain AS9100 procedures, documentation and audit readiness
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements and applicable AS9100, AWS, ASME and ITAR standards
• Maintain inspection records, material traceability and equipment calibration
• Conduct internal audits and support registrar audits and customer visits
• Monitor scrap, rework, first-pass yield and corrective-action performance
• Work directly with production and engineering to resolve problems quickly
• Improve inspection processes without unnecessarily slowing production or shipments
• Train production employees on inspection requirements and quality procedures
• Promote accountability and a strong quality culture throughout the plant

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of manufacturing quality experience
• At least two years leading inspectors or quality personnel
• Strong hands-on dimensional inspection experience
• Strong blueprint-reading and GD&T skills
• Experience inspecting fabricated sheet metal or CNC-machined components
• Working knowledge of AS9100, NCR, MRB, CAPA and root-cause processes
• Experience supporting internal, customer and certification audits
• Comfortable spending most of the workday on the production floor
• Demonstrated employment stability and a history of staying in positions long enough to own results
• Candidates with multiple positions lasting less than two years must clearly explain the circumstances behind each transition
• Must be eligible to work with ITAR-controlled information

A degree is not required. Equivalent hands-on manufacturing and quality leadership experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense or contract manufacturing experience
• CMM programming or operating experience
• Experience with AWS or ASME requirements
• Familiarity with PPAP, FMEA, SPC or APQP
• Lean, Six Sigma or ASQ certification
• Experience using ERP or MRP quality modules

What Success Looks Like

• Quality problems are identified and resolved before shipment
• Inspectors are trained, productive and accountable
• NCRs and corrective actions are closed promptly
• Scrap, rework and customer complaints decline
• AS9100 records remain accurate and audit-ready
• Quality supports production speed and on-time delivery

Position Details

• Full-time and onsite in Anaheim, California
• Monday through Friday
• Regular shop-floor presence, standing and walking
• Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds
• PPE and compliance with plant safety procedures required
• Benefits available

This position is ideal for an experienced Quality Supervisor, Lead Quality Inspector or hands-on Quality Manager who wants to perform the work while leading the department.

Required Application Questions

1. List every employer from the past seven years, including your dates of employment and reason for leaving.
2. Have you held three or more positions lasting less than two years during the past seven years? If so, explain each transition.
3. What percentage of your current or most recent position was spent personally inspecting parts on the production floor?
4. Describe your experience inspecting sheet metal and CNC-machined components.
5. Describe your direct experience maintaining or supporting an AS9100 quality system.