Head of Quality

Together with our partner, a global leader and expert in satellite communication and space laser technology, we are seeking a visionary and implementation-driven leader as Head of Quality (m/f/d) in the greater Stuttgart area. In this key position, you will actively shape the future of European spaceflight and technological sovereignty within an absolute growth market. The company is currently undergoing an exciting transformation: moving away from classic single-item manufacturing toward the efficient, industrial small-series production of highly complex communication payloads.

You will assume technical and disciplinary responsibility for a steadily growing, high-impact team of around 30 employees and manage quality operationally directly within the manufacturing environment. In doing so, you will act as the "Independent Voice of Quality" and a central member of the management team. You will combine a pragmatic, hands-on mentality with strategic foresight to balance "Zero-Defect" requirements with entrepreneurial cost discipline.

• Leadership & Transformation: Disciplinary leadership of approx. 30 employees in the areas of audit, project-related, and operational quality, as well as functional leadership in the operations area.
• Industrialization: Decisive steering of the transition from artisan-style single-item manufacturing to efficient industrial small-series production of approx. 80 to 100 units per month.
• Operational Quality Assurance: Management of quality directly within the production environment and the continuous improvement of the QMS in accordance with EN 9100.
• Strategic Alignment: Anchoring quality targets as a strategic partner to executive management to ensure "First Time Right" and "Design-to-Quality" objectives.
• Supply Chain Excellence: Monitoring and auditing international suppliers while ensuring strict compliance with standards such as ECSS and EN 9100.
• Sovereign Authority: Representing all quality matters as an independent authority toward internal stakeholders, international customers, and agencies.

• Experience: Solid management and leadership experience in quality assurance, with a mandatory strong operational focus directly within the production environment.
• Professional Background: Technical understanding is a must—ideally acquired through a degree or practical experience in electronics, aerospace, telecommunications, or laser technology.
• Leadership: An entrepreneurial mindset paired with diplomatic assertiveness and the ability to successfully lead transformation processes.
• Presence: A strong on-site culture is essential; therefore, 4 to 5 days of presence at the location per week is mandatory.
• Languages & Compliance: Fluent English (corporate language) and at least conversational German. Due to the strictest export control regulations (ITAR), EU citizenship is absolutely required (US citizenships are excluded).