Quality Assurance Manager III @ General Atomics

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Assurance Manager - Material Masters to join our team in Rancho Bernardo.

This Quality Assurance Manager reports to the Senior Manager and provides technical, operational, and people leadership for the Material Master Quality Assurance program. Leads a team responsible for the creation, maintenance, validation, and lifecycle management of material master records in SAP and related business systems. Ensures data accuracy, integrity, standardization, and alignment with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, quality, inventory, finance, and program requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage Material Master Operations: Oversee material master activities to ensure accurate, complete, timely, and consistent records that support business and program requirements.
• Lead and Develop the Team: Supervise approximately 8–10 employees; establish priorities, assign work, balance workloads, evaluate performance, and provide coaching and development.
• Establish Processes and Controls: Develop and maintain standardized procedures, work instructions, approval workflows, and controls for material master creation, review, modification, extension, obsolescence, and status management.
• Maintain Data Integrity: Establish validation methods and resolve duplicate records, inaccurate classifications, incomplete information, and other data discrepancies. Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive Process Improvement: Improve workflows, processing times, data quality, backlog management, and stakeholder service through standardization, automation, SAP enhancements, and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Requirements: Serve as the primary management contact for Material Masters and collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, IT, Finance, and Program Management to support business operations.
• Manage Change and Lifecycle Activities: Ensure material master changes resulting from engineering updates, procurement needs, manufacturing activities, and system changes are reviewed, approved, documented, and controlled.
• Monitor Performance and Resources: Establish and report metrics for data accuracy, turnaround times, productivity, backlog, and process effectiveness. Support staffing, training, resource planning, and departmental objectives.
• Support Quality, Audits, and Risk Management: Ensure processes meet applicable company, customer, contractual, regulatory, and quality management system requirements. Maintain audit-ready records, support audits, and mitigate risks affecting procurement, manufacturing, inventory, financial integrity, and program execution.
• Communicate and Represent the Organization: Report significant issues, risks, performance trends, and resource needs to leadership; represent Material Masters in cross-functional and management discussions.
• Protect Sensitive Information: Safeguard proprietary, customer, and program information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors or Masters in engineering or a related technical field and eleven or more years of progressively complex QA experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Information Systems, Operations Management is desired.
• Relevant experience in material master data management, quality assurance, supply chain, manufacturing, ERP systems, or a related discipline, including leadership or supervisory experience is desired.

Candidates must demonstrate

• Strong working knowledge of SAP material master data and related business processes.
• Knowledge of GD&T and material master requirements supporting engineering, procurement, manufacturing, quality, inventory, finance, and program operations.
• Knowledge of quality assurance principles and applicable quality management system requirements.
• Experience developing procedures, workflow controls, and process improvements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to manage priorities, resources, team performance, and competing demands.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and employee development skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with operational metrics and reporting.
• Sound judgment, independent decision-making, and the ability to work in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work extended hours and travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a team of eight or more in manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, defense, or a regulated environment.
• Experience with SAP Material Management (MM), Production Planning (PP), Quality Management (QM), and Windchill.
• Knowledge of SAE EIA-649, engineering change management, bills of materials, configuration management, and material lifecycle processes.
• Familiarity with AS9100 and documentation control requirements.
• Experience implementing data validation rules, approval workflows, dashboards, automation, or ERP enhancements.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting complex engineering, manufacturing, or government contract programs.
• Current DoD Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.

Leadership Expectations

The successful candidate will build a high-performing team, establish consistent and scalable processes, improve operational performance, foster cross-functional collaboration, and proactively manage data quality, operational, and program risks.