Engineering Quality Assurance Manager

Engineering Quality Assurance Manager

DRONAMICS

Sofia, Bulgaria

The Role

As our Engineering Quality Assurance Manager, you will own the quality management system across the full product engineering lifecycle from initial concept and prototyping to flight test and certification. You will work at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, testing and airworthiness, ensuring that every Black Swan drone that leaves the line meets the highest standards of safety and reliability. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-moving aerospace environments and knows how to build quality culture from the ground up.

The Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the Engineering Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with AS9100 and applicable UAS-specific regulations, heading toward EASA Part 21.
• Define and enforce quality gates across the product development lifecycle, from Preliminary Design Review to Certification Review
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for non-conformances, test failures, and in-service findings.
• Develop and manage the supplier quality programme, including audits, incoming inspection criteria, and supplier scorecards for critical aerostructure and avionics vendors.
• Collaborate with the design engineering team to embed Design for Quality and Design for Manufacturability principles early in the development process.
• Own the internal audit schedule and ensure readiness for external audits by certification authorities, customers, and partner organisations.
• Author and maintain quality documentation, including inspection plans, process specifications, acceptance test procedures, and workmanship standards.
• Build and mentor the QA team, establishing clear roles, competency requirements, and training programmes as the organisation scales.
• Ensure the Independent System Monitoring role for the Design Organisation in the frame of the Design Organization Approval process.

Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in quality assurance or quality engineering within the aerospace, defence, or aviation industry.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing QMS frameworks such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or EASA Part 21/Part 145.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and inspection techniques (NDT, CMM, GD&T).
• Proven track record leading CAPA investigations, root cause analysis (8D, Fishbone, 5-Why), and driving measurable quality improvements.
• Experience managing supplier quality programmes, including conducting supplier audits and developing incoming quality criteria.
• Familiarity with configuration management, change control, and document control systems in a regulated aerospace environment.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence across engineering, manufacturing, and programme management teams.
• Working knowledge of UAS/RPAS regulations and certification pathways (EASA Special Conditions, JARUS) is a strong advantage.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Lead Auditor (ISO 9001/AS9100), or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification is a plus.