Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Syracuse, United States of AmericaThales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Quality Assurance Manager

Syracuse, NY (Hybrid)

Position Summary

The FAA's Brand-New Air Traffic Control System and other initiatives related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility are fueling the growth of Thales' Airspace Mobility Solutions team. We are expanding our teams in Arlington, Virginia and Syracuse, New York and seek talented individuals who want to be part of these ambitious initiatives shaping the future of aviation.  We are looking for people with a passion for aviation and ready to deliver innovative solutions built to the nation's highest safety and security standards. America's aviation moment is now. Thales has the solutions, experience and expertise to execute now.  Come join our journey.

Thales is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) responsible for establishing, leading, and sustaining a comprehensive quality management framework that ensures all products, services, and project deliverables meet or exceed internal standards, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for quality assurance activities, including developing and implementing quality policies, processes, and controls across the organization.

In this position, you will partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders—Engineering, Operations, Program Management, and Supply Chain—to embed quality objectives across the full lifecycle of product development, service delivery, and project execution. You will oversee quality performance metrics, drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions, and proactively identify opportunities for risk reduction and continuous improvement.

As a people leader and quality advocate, you will foster a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement, ensuring effective communication of quality expectations throughout the organization. Success requires deep expertise in quality assurance principles and methodologies, strong leadership and influencing skills, and a commitment to operational excellence and innovation.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

• US - CUI Regulatory Compliance Requirement – Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Establish and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) by developing, implementing, and continuously improving quality assurance policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with industry regulations, contractual requirements, and internal governance. 
• Serve as the primary quality authority and escalation point for product, service, and project-related quality issues, leading root-cause analysis, CAPA, and containment activities to protect customer satisfaction and business continuity. 
• Define, monitor, and analyze quality performance metrics and KPIs, identifying trends, risks, and improvement opportunities; prepare and present quality reports to leadership with actionable insights and recommendations. 
• Provide functional leadership and people management for Quality Assurance staff, including workload planning, coaching, performance management, skills development, and fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement. 
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Program/Project Management, and Customer Support to embed quality requirements and risk-based thinking throughout product development, manufacturing, deployment, and service delivery. 
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using structured quality methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, risk-based quality management), ensuring data-driven, sustainable improvements aligned with business objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline, with 9+ years of progressive experience in quality assurance, engineering, or management; equivalent experience may be considered. 
• Minimum of 3+ years in a quality leadership or quality engineering role with responsibility for managing quality processes, initiatives, or teams. 
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance principles, methodologies, and tools, with the ability to analyze complex data, identify trends and risks, and drive corrective and preventive actions. 
• Proven record of improving product, service, or process quality, leading to measurable improvements in customer satisfaction, compliance, or operational performance. 
• Familiarity with industry standards, regulatory requirements, audit practices, and experience supporting internal, customer, or external audits. 
• Effective leadership, communication, and influencing skills, able to collaborate across teams and communicate quality expectations clearly, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the national airspace system and/or an understanding of unmanned aircraft systems.
• Experience working on technology-centered programs for US Federal Gov't Agencies (with a strong preference for FAA, DoD/DoW and/or DHS).
• Working knowledge of FAA and/or DoD quality standards and regulatory environments, with experience supporting compliance, audits, or program requirements.
• Experience operating within a multinational or matrixed organization, collaborating
  across regions, cultures, and time zones.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management system processes and documentation,
  including audit preparation, compliance support, and continuous improvement activities.

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: Either 9/80A (9hrs Mon-Thu, 8hrs 2nd Fri, Start @ 09:00AM) (United States of America) or USA - 5/40 (8hrs Mon-Fri) (United States of America).
• Physical Environment: Typical office environment.
• Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

If you're excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 108, ,653.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee's career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company's annual salary budget, the customer's program requirements, and the company's internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point) 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program

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