Head of Quality - Actuators (f/m/d)

Position purpose

The Head of Quality - Actuators (f/m/d) is the operational quality leader for hardware execution. The role is accountable for product quality, supplier quality, incoming inspection, testing quality, non-conformance handling, RCCA execution and release readiness. The role is deliberately separated from QMS ownership, EN 9100 governance, certification management and document-control governance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the operational quality organization including Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering / SQA and Quality Inspection / Technician functions.
• Ensure product quality across manufacturing, integration, verification, acceptance testing, qualification testing and customer delivery.
• Own operational NCR handling, containment, RCCA execution, effectiveness verification and escalation of repeated or critical defects.
• Own operational quality risk management including quarantine, stop-ship, product release recommendation and MRB-related decisions as defined internally.
• Drive supplier quality execution, supplier escalation, supplier corrective actions, incoming inspection performance and supplier readiness.
• Ensure receiving inspection, CoC / certificate verification, traceability checks and hardware release status are controlled and reliable.
• Ensure test failures and test anomalies are captured, assessed and closed through controlled operational quality processes.
• Report operational quality status, blocked hardware, supplier escalations, customer-impacting issues and repeat defects to the COO.

Operational scope

• Product Quality: FAI execution, product release readiness, internal non-conformances and manufacturing / integration quality risks.
• Supplier Quality: supplier NCRs, supplier RCCA, supplier escalations, supplier audits and incoming supplier performance.
• Incoming Quality: execution of receiving inspection, documentation completeness, traceability verification and quarantine control.
• Testing Quality: acceptance and qualification test evidence, test anomaly quality handling and quality release of test evidence.
• People Leadership: resource planning, priorities, development and performance management of the operational quality team.

Candidate background

• Experienced quality leader with an aerospace, space hardware, precision manufacturing, electronics, or other regulated hardware background.
• Extensive experience in operational quality management, supplier quality, NCR/RCCA processes, incoming inspection, test quality, and quality release activities.
• Leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of EN9100/AS9100 principles, FAI, traceability, and supplier quality management
• Strong communication skills, a hands-on leadership style, and a proven ability to drive continuous improvement (Lean SixSigma Black Belt are a plus) and operational excellence across the organization.
• Fluent English, German is a plus.
• Eligibility to work in Germany