Head – Quality Assurance

• *Head – Quality Assurance \& AS9100 Implementation**
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• *Company:** Frigate Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. ( frigate.ai )**Location:** Trichy, Tamil Nadu**Department:** Quality Assurance \& Quality Management Systems**Position:** Full\-time**Experience:** 8–15 years**Reporting to:** CEO / Operations Head### **About Frigate**

Frigate is an engineering and manufacturing company delivering precision components, fabricated assemblies and contract manufacturing solutions for global customers across aerospace, energy and industrial sectors.

We are establishing an integrated manufacturing facility covering precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, laser welding, riveting, surface finishing, powder coating and mechanical assembly, supported by a qualified manufacturing partner network.### **Role Objective**

We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance and AS9100 Implementation Head to establish, implement and maintain an AS9100D\-compliant Quality Management System covering our in\-house manufacturing operations and outsourced manufacturing supply chain.

The selected candidate will lead the organization from initial QMS development through certification readiness, while establishing robust manufacturing quality controls, traceability, inspection systems and continuous improvement practices.

This is a hands\-on leadership position requiring strong manufacturing knowledge, not merely documentation or audit coordination experience.### **Key Responsibilities**

• *1\. AS9100D QMS Implementation*** Lead end\-to\-end implementation of AS9100D, integrated with ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
• Conduct initial gap assessments and develop the implementation roadmap.
• Develop quality manuals or equivalent QMS documentation, procedures, process maps, work instructions, forms and records.
• Establish document control, configuration management, operational risk management and change control.
• Define measurable quality objectives and process performance indicators.
• Plan and conduct internal audits, management reviews and corrective action programs.
• Coordinate Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits and closure of findings.
• Maintain ongoing certification compliance and audit readiness.

• *2\. Manufacturing Quality Assurance**

Establish and monitor quality controls across:* CNC precision machining, including 3\-axis, 4\-axis and 5\-axis operations.

• CNC laser cutting and sheet metal fabrication.
• Press brake bending and forming.
• Laser welding and conventional welding, as applicable.
• Riveting and mechanical fastening.
• Buffing, polishing and surface finishing.
• Powder coating, pretreatment and curing.
• Mechanical assembly and integration.

• *Responsibilities include:*** Develop process control plans and inspection standards.
• Implement first\-piece, in\-process and final inspection systems.
• Establish process validation and qualification requirements.
• Monitor process capability, rejection trends and quality improvements.
• Implement product identification, material traceability and nonconformance management.

• *3\. Aerospace Quality Requirements*** Establish First Article Inspection processes in line with AS9102 requirements where applicable.
• Implement product safety, FOD prevention and counterfeit\-part prevention controls.
• Ensure drawing revision control and customer specification compliance.
• Implement material certification and traceability requirements.
• Define customer\-specific process approval and special\-process validation requirements.
• Support aerospace customer audits and qualification activities.

• *4\. Supplier Quality Management*** Develop and implement a supplier qualification and approval system.
• Establish Approved Vendor List (AVL), supplier audits and performance monitoring.
• Implement controls for outsourced machining, fabrication, welding, coating and other manufacturing activities.
• Ensure supplier material traceability, inspection documentation and certificate compliance.
• Manage supplier nonconformances, SCARs and corrective action closure.
• Monitor supplier quality, delivery performance and process compliance.

• *5\. Inspection, Metrology and Testing*** Establish incoming material inspection, in\-process inspection and final quality inspection.
• Define requirements for inspection instruments, gauges and CMM inspection.
• Implement calibration and measurement equipment control.
• Develop inspection reports, dimensional reports, FAIR documentation and product release records.
• Establish relevant coating thickness, weld quality, surface finish and assembly verification methods.

• *6\. Risk Management and Continuous Improvement*** Develop process risk assessments, PFMEA where appropriate, and manufacturing control plans.
• Lead root cause analysis using 5 Why, Fishbone and 8D methodologies.
• Monitor defects, rework, scrap and customer complaints.
• Implement CAPA and preventive quality improvement initiatives.
• Conduct quality training for operators, engineers, inspectors and supplier partners.

• *7\. Team and Department Development*** Establish the factory quality department, including QA/QC responsibilities.
• Define quality inspector competencies and training requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Procurement and Supply Chain teams.
• Develop quality dashboards and periodic management reports.
• Promote a culture of right\-first\-time manufacturing and process discipline.

### **Qualifications and Experience**

• *Essential*** Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Production, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering.
• 8–15 years of experience in manufacturing quality assurance.
• Minimum 3 years of hands\-on experience implementing, maintaining or leading AS9100D systems.
• Strong knowledge of precision machining and sheet metal manufacturing processes.
• Experience in manufacturing process audits and customer quality audits.
• Working knowledge of GD\&T, engineering drawings, inspection methods and material traceability.
• Proven ability to develop and implement QMS procedures and shop\-floor controls.

• *Preferred*** Experience in aerospace or aerospace supply\-chain manufacturing.
• Experience implementing AS9100 certification from an initial or greenfield stage.
• AS9100D / ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Familiarity with AS9102 FAI, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC and MSA.
• Understanding of welding qualification, coating validation and special\-process requirements.
• Experience with CMM, NDT coordination and aerospace customer approvals.

### **Initial Deliverables**

• *First 30 Days*** Complete QMS gap assessment.
• Establish certification scope and implementation plan.
• Map factory and outsourced manufacturing processes.
• Identify critical manufacturing quality risks.
• Develop QMS documentation master list.

• *Days 31–60*** Establish core QMS procedures and departmental responsibilities.
• Develop manufacturing work instructions and process control plans.
• Establish inspection, calibration and traceability systems.
• Introduce supplier qualification and monitoring procedures.

• *Days 61–90*** Implement the approved QMS across active operations.
• Train key personnel and begin generating controlled production records.
• Conduct initial process compliance assessments.
• Prepare internal audit and certification readiness plans.

• *Subsequent Milestone**

Lead internal audits, corrective actions, management review and external certification audits once adequate implementation evidence is available.### **Key Performance Indicators**

• AS9100D implementation milestones achieved.
• QMS process compliance and internal audit performance.
• Customer rejection and complaint rates.
• First\-pass yield and reduction in rework.
• Supplier quality performance and corrective action closure.
• Calibration and traceability compliance.
• Closure of audit nonconformities within agreed timelines.
• Successful certification and maintenance of QMS effectiveness.

### **Candidate Profile**

We are looking for a technically competent, hands\-on quality leader who can build systems from the ground up, work directly with production teams, establish manufacturing discipline and independently drive aerospace quality certification.**Candidates with only ISO documentation or consultancy experience, without practical shop\-floor quality and manufacturing experience, are not preferred.**