Quality Team Lead

QA Team Leader

Minimum 35 hrs/week; overtime as needed

A unique corporate culture combined with a dynamic work environment

At Optimax, we build lenses that power cutting-edge technologies in aerospace, defense, and consumer electronics. Our optics help shape breakthroughs that benefit humanity and protect our freedom. We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation and teamwork thrive. We are looking for motivated individuals who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to impactful projects.

The Quality Team Leader will lead and manage a team responsible for ensuring that all finished products meet established quality standards prior to shipment. This role is critical to ensuring that products are thoroughly inspected and conform to both customer requirements and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities, excellent attention to detail, and a deep understanding of quality inspection processes and systems. 

A Quality Team Leader’s responsibilities include:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quality professionals within the Audit, Final Inspection, and Incoming groups to ensure they perform at their best and meet daily operational goals. 
• Assign tasks, set clear performance expectations, and ensure that team members are trained on inspection procedures and quality standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Ensure effective communication between the quality teams and other departments (e.g., production, engineering, and logistics).
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching and feedback to team members.
• Oversee the final inspection process for all finished products, ensuring they meet customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Review product documentation (e.g., specifications, drawings, inspection criteria) to ensure compliance.
• Perform final product inspections and coordinate with the production team to resolve any issues or defects before products are released for shipment.
• Ensure that the inspection process is timely and efficient.  
• Lead and execute audits on manufacturing/production processes to verify compliance with internal quality standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements. 
• Oversee the inspection and testing of incoming materials, components, and products.
• Ensure all quality-related activities are properly documented, including inspections, audits, non-conformances, and corrective actions.
• Identify recurring quality issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams to perform root cause analysis.
• Identify training needs within the team and coordinate on-the-job training and skill development.
• Address and resolve any customer complaints related to final inspection or product quality in a timely and professional manner.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in quality control or project management within a manufacturing or production environment, with at least 1 year in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Familiarity with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and inspection standards.
• Experience with quality tools such as Statistical Process Control (SPC), FMEA, or root cause analysis is a plus.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong sense of ownership and responsibility. 
• Proactive, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Capable of making decisions under pressure and addressing issues in a timely manner.
• High level of integrity and attention to compliance and quality standards.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch; talk and hear; may include lifting of up to 40 lbs.
• The job may involve prolonged periods of sitting/standing.
• Requires specific visual abilities including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.

Work Environment:

• Work in a manufacturing or production environment, which may involve exposure to noise, machinery, and environmental conditions.
• May involve the use of oils and solvents.
• Generally works in a clean environment and works to maintain the environment as such.
• May require area specific safety training

Compensation & Benefits:

Optimax offers competitive compensation based on experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bonus: 25% Monthly Profit Sharing
• Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education
• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• 401(k): Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and paid holidays
• Other Benefits: Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Optimax is committed to offering equal opportunity for all candidates.  We encourage you to apply regardless of background, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.  Optimax will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. 

ITAR Compliance: Due to federal regulations, employment at Optimax is limited to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. (EEO) Optimax Systems, Inc. must comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) issued by the United States Department of State, Department of Defense Trade Controls. Because of the ITAR, Optimax must limit employment opportunities to US citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States. 

If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact our Human Resources team at 585-265-1020.