Quality Specialist

Summary

Reporting directly to the Manager-Quality, the Quality Specialist – Quality Systems coordinates the internal audit program, facilitates the organization-wide corrective action process, and monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of quality management system processes. Working with process owners and leadership, this role uses audit results, corrective action data, and process measures to identify risks, verify that actions achieve their intended results, and support continual improvement. This is an in-office position reporting on-site at our Bedford, NS facility.

As a Quality Specialist - Quality Systems, your main responsibilities will include:

• Plan and maintain a risk-informed internal audit program, including audit schedules, scope, criteria, methods, auditor assignments, and follow-up priorities.
• Conduct audits through interviews, observation, and evidence review; document findings clearly and maintain controlled audit records in accordance with retention requirements.
• Track audit completion and communicate findings, overdue audits, and follow-up status to process owners and leadership.
• Coordinate the corrective action process for audit findings, nonconformities, customer issues, and other quality inputs. Coach action owners on containment, root-cause analysis, and action planning while process owners retain responsibility for solutions.
• Monitor corrective action timeliness, verify implementation and effectiveness, and escalate overdue, recurring, or systemic issues.
• Analyze audit, corrective action, and process-performance trends to identify risks and improvement priorities.
• Work with process owners to establish meaningful measures of process efficiency and effectiveness, including targets, data sources, review frequency, and response thresholds. Coordinate action when results do not meet planned outcomes.
• Prepare dashboards and status summaries for process reviews, tiered meetings, and management review; track resulting decisions and actions to completion.
• Support cross-functional quality investigations and improvement initiatives by coordinating evidence-based analysis, documenting findings, and measuring the effectiveness of changes.
• Review design changes for impacts on product conformity, inspection and test, first article inspection, controlled documentation, and quality records; provide Quality approval within assigned authority.
• Improve QMS procedures, audit tools, training, and reporting methods based on lessons learned. Collaborate across functions and provide regular progress updates to the Manager–Quality.

What you require to be successful in the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience; considered an asset.
• 3–5 years of experience in quality management systems, internal auditing, corrective action, or process improvement in a regulated or manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality management system requirements and the ability to apply them to internal audits and process monitoring.
• Experience planning and performing process-based audits, documenting objective evidence, reporting findings, and following up on actions.
• Ability to facilitate root-cause analysis and corrective action with cross-functional teams and verify action effectiveness.
• Ability to develop and interpret process measures, identify trends, and communicate findings and recommendations to process owners and leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage an audit schedule, multiple action items, deadlines, and controlled records.
  Proficiency with common QMS, corrective action, reporting, and data-analysis tools; experience building practical dashboards is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, written communication, and presentation skills; able to challenge constructively and maintain auditor objectivity.
• Internal auditor training or certification and familiarity with aerospace/defense quality requirements are assets.

Benefits of working with DRS Canada:

• A motivating team-based environment where your achievements matter
• An opportunity to work on industry leading edge technology
  Flexible work hours and a compressed work week to promote a healthy work/life balance
• Opportunity for Hybrid work based on operational needs
  Industry leading wellness program including:
• Health, dental, and vision coverage available on first day of hire at no cost to the employee with access to virtual healthcare
  Access to Employee and Family Assistance Program
  Competitive compensation including:
• Reimbursement for professional development initiatives and memberships plus access to free online learning resources.
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan with matching company contributions with access to complimentary financial planning.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Maternity and Parental leave top-up
• Vacation, personal days, sick leave, and additional company paid days off