Director Quality Product Assurance
Sierra Nevada Corporation · Lone Tree, CO
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $176k–$242k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 13+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 10 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level quality role at Sierra Nevada Corporation (aerospace & defense) in Lone Tree, CO. Develop and implement the company-wide quality strategy.
- They ask for
- 13+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Six Sigma, Black Belt, ISO 9001, AS9100
- Base pay
- $176k–$242k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Colorado: typical posted base $82k–$129k. This one lists $176k–$242k.
Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 29 quality engineer openings in Colorado, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Colorado plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 28 other live quality postings in Colorado.
- Base pay
- About 110% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (13+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$120k, from 20 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 62%
- ✓ Six Sigma 41%
- ✓ ISO 9001 41%
- ✓ AS9100 34%
- New product launch 31%
- Lean 31%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Sierra Nevada Corporation
We found 10 people at this company and state: 8 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Chris → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Sierra Nevada Corporation in Lone Tree
3 other open roles at this site · 10 people we found in quality roles at Sierra Nevada Corporation.
- Sr Engineering Manager - Project Engineering (IAS) · Manufacturing · Manager
- Engineering Manager I - Mass Properties · Manufacturing · Manager
- Sr Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer · Controls · Senior
Full description from Sierra Nevada CorporationAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Develop and implement the company-wide quality strategy.
- ◆Lead and mentor senior quality managers.
- ◆Drive continuous improvement across all quality functions.
- ◆Ensure compliance with industry regulations and customer requirements.
- ◆Represent the company in high-level quality discussions with customers and regulatory bodies.
You Must Have
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- ✓13+ years of experience in a related field.
- ✓Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications. In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 17 years of related experience is required.
- ✓Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
- ✓Extensive leadership experience in quality management.
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- ✓In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100 and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) standards.
- ✓Extensive experience in an electronic/mechanical systems environment.
- ✓Proven leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews.
- ✓Mastery of the ability to drive innovative thinking, lead and inspire your team, instill collaboration, challenge status quo, manage complex situations, delegate authority, and demonstrate ability to adapt to dynamic situations.
- ✓Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking.
- ✓Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly express concepts in verbal and written forms.
- ✓Ability to navigate change and uncertainty, make defensible decisions in ambiguity, and own those decisions.
- ✓Shows strong decision-making skills by clearly stating the BLUF (bottom line up front), highlighting what matters most, simplifying complex information, & making timely, well-reasoned decisions that drive the biggest impact (80/20).
Essential Functions
- ◆Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- ◆Frequent use of computer and office software.
- ◆Fine motor skills for handling small parts.
- ◆Occasional exposure to moderate noise levels.
- ◆Work in an office or hybrid environment as needed.
- ◆Occasional travel may be required.
SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
As the Director of Quality Product Assurance, you will lead the overall quality strategy for the organization, ensuring the highest quality standards and regulatory compliance.
As SNC's corporate team, we provide the company and its business areas with strategic direction and business support spanning executive management, finance and accounting, operations, human resources, legal, IT, information security, facilities, marketing, and communications.
We Prefer
- •Experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry.
- •Direct Aviation/Aerospace operations experience.
- •Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
- •Prior experience in a manufacturing environment.
- •Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence.
- •Certified Quality Improvement Associate.
- •Certified Quality Auditor.
- •Past experience in program development of an integrated supply chain.
- •Past experience implementing and managing a quality management system (QMS) (e.g., ISO, Six Sigma, etc.).
- •Past experience implementing strong governance framework.
- •Demonstrated passion for ideation, intellectual curiosity, and innovation, as well as motivating others to act by creating a shared sense of vision or purpose.
- •Proven long-term and strategic perspective that extends beyond the immediate initiatives; visualizes and articulates a clear direction.
Important notice
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.
SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!