Head of Testing and Calibration

Role overview

Team leadership and function development

• Build and lead the Testing and Calibration function.
• Recruit and develop the Testing and Calibration Lead and Production Testing Engineer.
• Establish team roles, responsibilities, processes and performance standards.
• Report testing readiness, throughput, quality and performance metrics to the VP of AIT.

Testing and calibration

• Own test and calibration readiness before production line and facility go-live.
• Establish testing, inspection, calibration and integration checkout procedures.
• Define standards for test rigs, test equipment and associated systems.
• Ensure equipment is calibrated, maintained and traceable.
• Manage rework, repair and defect-resolution workflows.

Quality and compliance

• Ensure testing and calibration processes comply with applicable quality and industry standards.
• Implement robust quality controls across testing activities.
• Support ISO 9001, AS9100 and other quality management requirements.
• Support audits and corrective-action activities with quality and regulatory teams.
• Monitor defect and quality escape rates and drive continuous improvement.

Collaboration and stakeholders

• Align test criteria with R&D and Engineering during product handover.
• Coordinate testing workflows with Production, Integration and other AIT functions.
• Identify test equipment and facility requirements.
• Support root-cause analysis for test failures and quality issues.
• Coordinate with suppliers, calibration laboratories, certification bodies, regulators and external partners.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace or a related Engineering discipline.
• At least 8 years of experience in testing, quality, calibration or technical leadership.
• Experience establishing, building or scaling a testing and calibration function.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional engineering activities.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, UAV, aviation or regulated manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Quality or calibration certifications, such as ISO 9001/AS9100 Internal Auditor, are advantageous.

Technical skills

• Test and measurement systems; test rig development and management; calibration management and traceability.
• Production testing, integration checkout, quality control and defect management.
• Rework and repair processes, root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Technical documentation, process development and cross-functional engineering coordination.

Key competencies

• Strong leadership, team-building, analytical, problem-solving, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to establish processes in a growing, fast-paced environment and work across R&D, Engineering, Production, Quality and Operations.

Key performance indicators