Rafael Azevedo - Head of Quality

Q: Where is Rafael based?

Rafael is based in Munich, Germany .

Q: What languages does Rafael speak?

Rafael speaks the following languages: Portuguese (Native), German (Advanced), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Rafael have?

Rafael has at least 15 years of experience. During this time, Rafael has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 6 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 2 months . Note that Rafael may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Rafael's latest experience?

Rafael's most recent position is Head of Quality at Helsing AI .

Q: What companies has Rafael worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Rafael has worked for Helsing AI , Mynaric LaserComm , Harmonic Drive , Embraer Executive, and Commercial and Defense .

Q: Which industries is Rafael most experienced in?

Rafael is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense , Manufacturing , and Space Exploration . Rafael also has some experience in Automotive .

Q: Which business areas is Rafael most experienced in?

Rafael is most experienced in business areas like Quality Assurance , Supply Chain Management , and Operations . Rafael also has some experience in Production , Customer Service , and Product Development .

Q: Which industries has Rafael worked in recently?

Rafael has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense , Space Exploration , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Rafael worked in recently?

Rafael has recently worked in business areas like Quality Assurance , Supply Chain Management , and Operations .

Recommended expert

Munich, Germany

Experience

Dec 2024 - Present

1 year 4 months

Head of Quality

Helsing AI

Lead new manufacture companies (Resilience Factories) worldwide based in NATO requirements Aerospace/Part21G/Part21J
Implement quality methodologies and tools (RCCA, NCRs, MRB, special processes qualification)
Implement and obtain EN9100 certification as Head of Quality
Point of contact to defense customers (MoDs) regarding quality and AQAP
Develop quality process for qualification and certification
Plan and execute lean manufacture to improve quality and reduce costs
Construct quality, manufacture and supply chain organization

Oct 2022 - Dec 2024

2 years 3 months

Munich, Germany

Director Supply Chain & Quality Operations

Mynaric LaserComm

Responsible to bring ramp up challenge by business excellence and continuous improvement
Develop and manage supplier requirements and development
Create supply operation structure including selecting, developing and continuous improvement
Construct the quality management (EN9100) and assure the manufacture process readiness
Develop the company from engineering to manufacture organization (design to manufacture)
Implement new ERP system
Responsible for supply chain operation, quality engineering, quality inspectors, quality education management, customer quality and new program development
Lead the company in KPI, goals introduction and flowdown (Hoshin Kanri)

Sep 2021 - Oct 2022

1 year 2 months

Germany

Customer Quality Manager

Harmonic Drive

Develop and manage customer requirements (gear, actuator and electrical motor)
Develop, audit and improve Harmonic quality system for special environmental conditions
Lead development for aerospace future products
Deploy EN9100 Rev D in the quality management system
Implement quality improvement plan and cost reduction for aerospace segments
Promote corporate quality culture and methodology to improve overall performance

Jul 2019 - Sep 2021

2 years 3 months

Supplier Quality Manager

Embraer Executive, Commercial and Defense

Develop and manage suppliers (engine, avionics, hydraulic & flight control system)
Implement risk management based on data analytics to foresee and prevent issues and shortages
Develop a new RCCA methodology in a webpage to support quality investigation based on Part21G & J and EN 9100 automated safety impact, criticality, cost and delay using machine learning
Develop, audit and improve Embraer quality requirements based on authority continued airworthiness
Lead development and supplier performance (OTD, costs, quality and continued airworthiness)
Implement excellence plan based on the Zero Defective Plan methodology
Audit, develop and certify repair center (Part 145)
Develop and support aftermarket product quality based on data mining
Manage risk and crisis in the quality organization related to product lifecycle obsolescence

Jul 2017 - Jul 2019

2 years 1 month

Quality Manager

Embraer SA

Manage quality system (ISO, FAA, ANAC and EASA normative for Part 21 & Part 145)
Lead quality engineering team in machining, special treatment, final assembly and fleet support
Implement Industry 4.0 (IoT) in the main production areas
Qualify special processes and manage chemical laboratory
Manage non-conformity and corrective actions based on A3 methodology
Develop quality plans and preventive actions
Manage performance and KPIs (cost of non-quality reduction, non-conformity, escalated audits, fast response)
Apply agile management and SCRUM for projects and Kaizen

Jan 2012 - Jul 2017

5 years 7 months

Supplier Quality Engineer

Embraer SA

Specialize in quality of systems and equipment (engine, electrical, hydraulic and flight control system)
Conduct product and process audits (AS9100) in suppliers and PPAP evaluation and approval
Conduct problem solving actions using 8D methodology
Conduct preventive plans in the suppliers

Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

1 year 1 month

South Africa

Supplier Quality Engineer

Toyota SA

Conduct special process audits (QTF - Toyota Motor Corporation methodology) in suppliers and sub-tiers
Conduct manufacture process audits in suppliers
Implement quality assessment (Toyota Motor Corporation quality management)
Develop new ERP system and supplier data analytics
Perform RCCA using the A3 methodology
Implement preventive actions in suppliers to achieve zero defects (Kakotora)

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, Space Exploration, and Automotive.

Aerospace and Defense

Manufacturing

Space Exploration

Automotive

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Production, Customer Service, and Product Development.

Quality Assurance

Supply Chain Management

Operations

Production

Customer Service

Product Development

Skills

Design Data Control & Configuration Management
Program Management
Part21g & J And En 9100
Tc & Stc
Continued Airworthiness
Safety Assessment
Requirements Management
Aerospace Standards
Product Lifecycle
Obsolescence
Team Management
Aerospace Quality Process
Team Building
Communication
Open Mindset
Result Oriented

Languages

Portuguese

Native

German

Advanced

English

Advanced

Education

MBA · Project Management

Graduation · Production Engineer

Certifications & licenses

EN9100

Quality Engineer

ASQ (American Society for Quality)

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 7

Experience in Aerospace and Defense 14 y

Avg length 2 y 2 m

Longest experience 5 y 6 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (Germany, South Africa)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Head of Quality, Director Supply Chain & Quality Operations, Customer Quality Manager

Main industries Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, Space Exploration

Main business areas Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, Operations

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Certifications earned 2

Profile

Created

September 2025

Last Update

September 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Rafael based?

Rafael is based in Munich, Germany.

What languages does Rafael speak?

Rafael speaks the following languages: Portuguese (Native), German (Advanced), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Rafael have?

Rafael has at least 15 years of experience. During this time, Rafael has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 6 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 2 months. Note that Rafael may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Rafael be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Rafael would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Quality, Director Supply Chain & Quality Operations, Customer Quality Manager.

What is Rafael's latest experience?

Rafael's most recent position is Head of Quality at Helsing AI.

What companies has Rafael worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Rafael has worked for Helsing AI, Mynaric LaserComm, Harmonic Drive, Embraer Executive, and Commercial and Defense.

Which industries is Rafael most experienced in?

Rafael is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, and Space Exploration. Rafael also has some experience in Automotive.

Which business areas is Rafael most experienced in?

Rafael is most experienced in business areas like Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, and Operations. Rafael also has some experience in Production, Customer Service, and Product Development.

Which industries has Rafael worked in recently?

Rafael has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Space Exploration, and Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Rafael worked in recently?

Rafael has recently worked in business areas like Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, and Operations.

What is Rafael's education?

Rafael holds a Master in Project Management.

Does Rafael have any certificates?

Rafael has 2 certificates. These include: EN9100 and Quality Engineer.

What is the availability of Rafael?

Rafael is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Rafael?

Rafael's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.