Director of Quality

mach· Mach Vehicles
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📍 Huntington Beach, CAFullTime💰 USD 220K–250K/yr

About this role

About Mach Industries

Founded in 2022, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 220 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Role

Build and lead a world-class quality organization that ensures every product we design, manufacture, and test performs flawlessly in mission-critical environments. This role owns quality across the full lifecycle, from incoming materials to flight readiness, and is responsible for establishing the systems, culture, and execution rigor required to scale production without sacrificing reliability.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead all aspects of quality across:

    • Manufacturing Quality (inspection & in-process quality)

    • Receiving Inspection (supplier quality gate)

    • Quality Engineering (production support, RCCA, process capability)

    • Reliability Engineering (flight & test performance, failure analysis)

  • Establish a single, unified quality operating system across development and production

  • Build and manage a high-performing team of inspectors and quality leads embedded in production

  • Define inspection strategies (risk-based, critical feature-driven vs blanket inspection)

  • Drive transition from inspection-heavy to process-capable manufacturing

  • Own receiving inspection and supplier acceptance strategy

  • Define supplier qualification, audit, and performance systems

  • Drive supplier quality improvement through:

    • SCARs

    • On-site audits

    • Process validation

  • Reduce incoming inspection burden via supplier certification and trust models

  • Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) processes across the factory

  • Own nonconformance management (NCR/MRB systems)

  • Drive statistical process control (SPC) and process capability (Cp/Cpk)

  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to:

    • Eliminate variation

    • Improve yields

    • Scale processes to rate

  • Define clear quality ownership boundaries between engineering and production

  • Lead failure investigations from test and flight anomalies

  • Ensure rapid feedback loops from test → design → manufacturing

  • Define and enforce flight readiness quality criteria

  • Build a pragmatic, high-velocity QMS (not bureaucratic, but disciplined)

  • Define and implement:

    • Change control systems

    • Configuration management alignment with engineering

    • Traceability (materials, processes, builds)

  • Establish clear quality gates tied to TRL/MRL and production readiness

  • Ensure audit readiness (internal and external, e.g., AS9100-style environments if needed)

  • Build a culture of:

    • Accountability over blame

    • Speed with rigor

    • Data-driven decision making

  • Recruit, develop, and retain top-tier quality and reliability talent

  • Be a strong cross-functional partner to:

    • Manufacturing

    • Design Engineering

    • Test & Flight Ops

    • Supply Chain

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

  • 8+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or reliability engineering

  • 5+ years leading high-performing technical teams in a production environment

  • Experience operating in high-reliability industries (aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience scaling from prototype → production (NPI through rate production)

  • Deep experience with:

    • RCCA / 8D / 5 Whys

    • SPC and process capability

    • Failure analysis (mechanical, electrical, or systems-level)

  • Familiarity with:

    • AS9100 / ISO9001 frameworks (without over-reliance on bureaucracy)

    • Digital quality systems / MES integration

  • Demonstrated ability to:

    • Stand up quality organizations from scratch

    • Drive measurable improvements in yield, reliability, and cost

  • Experience working tightly with manufacturing engineering and design teams in fast-paced environments

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).  Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Mach participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Director of Quality role at mach?
The listed salary for this Director of Quality position at mach is USD 220K–250K/yr. This is an FullTime role.
Where is the Director of Quality position at mach located?
This Director of Quality role at mach is based in Huntington Beach, CA. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Director of Quality role at mach full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FullTime position. It is posted as a Director of Quality role in the Mach Vehicles department at mach.
Which team or department does the Director of Quality at mach belong to?
This Director of Quality position is part of the Mach Vehicles department at mach. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Director of Quality position at mach?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to mach's official application portal hosted on ashby where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Director of Quality job at mach posted?
This Director of Quality position at mach was posted on Apr 8, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Director of Quality
mach · 💰 USD 220K–250K/yr
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