Director, Product and Supplier Quality
About Otto Aerospace, Inc.
Otto is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet, designed for sustainability through the innovative use of advanced super-laminar aerodynamics and high-precision, net-shaped composites. Flight tests of our technology demonstrator validate a dramatic reduction in fuel burn and allow for a sizeable improvement in cabin comfort. Otto Aerospace designs world-class aircraft from first principles of physics and delivering ground-breaking aircraft and economic performance.
About the Role
Otto Aerospace is seeking a Director of Product and Supplier Quality to lead the execution of product quality and supplier quality activities across the organization.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role is responsible for ensuring quality requirements are effectively implemented across supplier development, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, inspection, test, and aircraft build activities.
The Director serves as the operational leader for quality execution within Integrated Operations and is accountable to the COO for achieving quality performance outcomes that support program execution, certification, and production readiness.
This role maintains a strong partnership with the Chief Safety and Quality Officer (CSQO) and operates under a dotted-line relationship for compliance with company policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and Quality Management System (QMS) requirements established by the Safety and Quality Assurance Office.
Role Clarification: The Director owns execution of product and supplier quality activities. The CSQO retains ownership of enterprise governance, quality systems, regulatory interface, and enterprise-level quality oversight.
What You’ll Do
Quality Leadership and Strategy
Lead execution of product quality and supplier quality activities across the organization
Establish departmental objectives, priorities, staffing plans, and operational performance targets aligned with company goals
Build, lead, and develop a scalable quality execution organization capable of supporting aircraft development, certification, and production
Drive continuous improvement focused on defect prevention, process capability, and supplier performance
Represent Product and Supplier Quality within the Integrated Operations leadership team
Utilize enterprise quality data systems, dashboards, and performance metrics established by the Safety and Quality Assurance Office to manage operational performance
Ensure personnel are trained and qualified in accordance with training programs and standards defined by the Safety and Quality Assurance Office
Operational Quality Execution
Execute product quality activities including incoming inspection, in-process inspection, final inspection, first article inspection, conformity, and nonconforming material control
Integrate quality requirements into manufacturing planning, production execution, inspection processes, and aircraft assembly operations
Monitor operational quality performance for product and supplier execution and drive corrective actions when performance objectives are not achieved, in alignment with enterprise performance frameworks
Support flight-test vehicle assembly, certification activities, and production readiness initiatives
Supplier Quality Leadership
Accountable for supplier quality performance within assigned programs and suppliers
Execute supplier qualification, surveillance, and performance management activities in accordance with approved supplier quality processes and governance frameworks
Partner with Supply Chain and Engineering to ensure supplier capability, product conformity, and risk mitigation
Drive supplier development and improvement initiatives across the supply base
Quality Compliance and Governance
Execute product and supplier quality activities in accordance with approved company procedures, regulatory requirements, and QMS standards
Maintain dotted-line accountability to the CSQO for compliance with quality system, regulatory, and governance requirements
Support internal audits, external audits, FAA assessments, and certification activities as directed by the Safety and Quality Assurance Office
Execute corrective actions and nonconformance resolution in accordance with the enterprise corrective action system
Escalate compliance concerns, systemic risks, and significant quality issues through established governance channels.
Boundary of Responsibility: The Director does not own Quality Management System governance, audit programs, regulatory interface, or enterprise quality system frameworks, which are the responsibility of the Safety and Quality Assurance Office.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Flight Test, Program Management, and Certification teams to support program execution
Provide quality leadership across product development, supplier selection, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and certification activities
Support organizational readiness for FAA production approval, AS9100 certification, and production scaling.
Organization Development
Lead and develop Product Quality and Supplier Quality organizations
Initially supervise the Supplier Quality Manager and perform Product Quality Manager responsibilities until the role is established
Build and scale the Product Quality organization, including future leadership and technical roles
Establish talent development, succession planning, and organizational growth strategies.
Who You Are
Education
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, or related technical discipline required.
Experience
15+ years of progressive aerospace quality experience.
8+ years of leadership experience managing quality organizations.
Demonstrated experience leading both supplier quality and product quality functions.
Experience supporting aircraft development programs, certification programs, manufacturing operations, or production environments.
Experience working within FAA-regulated and AS9100-based quality systems.
Required Skills & Attributes
Strong leadership and organizational development capabilities.
Thorough understanding of aerospace quality systems, supplier quality management, inspection systems, conformity processes, and nonconformance management.
Working knowledge of FAA certification and production approval environments.
Strong understanding of AS9100, AS9102, APQP, PPAP, FAI, root cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
Ability to balance operational execution with compliance and governance requirements.
Excellent communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced startup environment while driving organizational maturity and accountability.
Where You'll Be
This role will be remote with 25% travel until late 2026, at which time it will transition to full onsite in Jacksonville, FL
Benefits
Otto Aerospace provides a robust benefits package that includes competitive salaries, subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) opportunities, paid short term disability, voluntary long-term disability and additional term life, with 15 paid days off, 13 paid company holidays, and paid sick leave. Depending on seniority and role, some roles qualify for potential bonuses and stock options.
Otto Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our hiring process. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. We believe that a diverse team brings fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and greater success. The more inclusive we are, the stronger we become. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
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