Quality Director

Who We Are:

LA Gauge Company, based in Sun Valley, California, is an ultraprecision machining and optics manufacturing leader. Established in 1954, we are known for machining Beryllium and other exotic metals, primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. We provide critical components for high-profile customers, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman, for systems such as missile guidance, satellite optics, and targeting mechanisms. Our facility, equipped with state-of-the-art CNC mills, CNC lathes, polishing capabilities, and CMMs holds machining tolerances up to 40 millionths of an inch.

Position Overview: We are seeking a Quality Director (QD) to lead our quality and inspection departments. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a positive, can-do attitude, ready to drive a zero-defect culture and foster collaboration across departments. The QD will work closely with all company departments to ensure quality and inspection processes are maintained and continuously improved.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Manage a team of quality engineers, inspectors, and calibration technicians. Manage and take ownership of priorities, roles and responsibilities, and results. Lead personnel development, foster collaboration within the department, and establish training programs to ensure professional growth.

• Inspection Management: Oversee the inspection department, ensuring uniform and effective part inspections. Lead the development of detailed inspection plans for each part and manage the documentation of inspection processes.

• Quality System Optimization: Implement proactive, thorough quality systems that reduce rework, scrap, and ensure on-time deliveries. Conduct root cause analyses to eliminate quality issues and drive process improvements across departments.

• Customer Communication: Serve as the senior point of contact for customers for quality-related issues, including inspection data, nonconformances, and corrective actions. Ensure that LA Gauge meets stringent customer requirements and provide clear communication to internal teams.

• Compliance & Audits: Ensure L.A. Gauge and its suppliers maintain AS9100 certification and pass internal and external audits. The QD will manage audit processes, implement corrective actions, and monitor for compliance across all departments.

Qualifications:

• Experience: At least 10 years of experience in quality management, with 5 years in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment, preferably in aerospace or defense.

• Skills: Strong leadership abilities, effective communicator (verbal and written), and capable of driving process improvements. High proficiency in Microsoft Suite for data analysis, reporting, and regular communications.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary ranging from $110,000 - $180,000, with additional bonus opportunities

• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401K retirement plan, paid time off, and 11 paid holidays.

• Full-time, on-site position with a 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM regular schedule at our Sun Valley facility. Extended hours or shifts in hours may occur from time to time based on company demands.

The Quality Director at LA Gauge will play a critical role in ensuring that we continue to deliver ultra-precise, high-quality components to some of the world’s most demanding industries.