Role Overview:

Build and lead the integrated Quality & Mission Assurance (QMA) function that owns end-to-end quality processes across the full product lifecycle. Ensure every product - engine, stage, avionics, and ground systems - is build-worthy, test-worthy, and flight-worthy across multiple reuse cycles. Drive quality as a velocity enabler through strong process ownership in Product, Manufacturing, Assembly, and Test/Flight stages.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Quality (Design & Development Stage):

- Own quality processes from concept through design baselining.

- Propulsion, structures, avionics, software, and ground systems requirements verification and traceability.

- Design reviews (PDR/CDR), FMECA, hazard analysis, and configuration baseline establishment.

- Material & component qualification (cryogenic compatibility, EEE parts, additive manufacturing).

2. Manufacturing Process Quality:

- Own all manufacturing and special process quality.

- Qualification and control of additive manufacturing, welding, brazing, machining, composites, and PCB fabrication.

- NDE program ownership (CT, X-ray, UT, PT) under ASNT Level III.

- Process procedure qualification, technician certification, and first-article inspection.

- Supplier quality engineering, audits, lot acceptance, and counterfeit prevention (AS6081).

- Conduct & Own Process reviews at different stages of manufacturing and ensure quality of production.

3. Assembly & Integration Quality:

- Own assembly, integration, and cleanliness processes.

- Precision assembly of engines, stages, avionics, harnesses, and ground systems.

- IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001 workmanship standards, conformal coating, and cable/harness quality.

- Oxygen/methane cleanliness control (MIL-STD-1330 / ISO 14644) and contamination prevention.

- As-built configuration verification and serialized pedigree tracking.

- Conduct & Own Assembly process reviews and ensure assembly quality.

4. Test / Flight & Operations Quality:

- Own test, reusability, and operational quality processes.

- Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) gating for all hot-fire, structural, environmental, and integrated tests.

- Post-test inspection (NDE, borescope), anomaly resolution (PTR, MRB, FRB), and data integrity.

- GSE, propellant loading systems, launch infrastructure, and range operations quality.

- Reusability loop: post-test teardown, life-limited parts tracking, refurbishment acceptance, and closed-loop feedback.

- Flight software & firmware V&V (DO-178C / NPR 7150.2).

Cross-Cutting Responsibilities:

- Gated Reviews & Configuration Control: Conduct and gate all critical reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, PTR). Own the Configuration Control Board (CCB), as-designed/as-built/as-tested traceability, ECN/ECO approval, and PLM/MES digital backbone.

- Reliability Engineering: FMECA, reliability growth, Weibull analysis, and FRACAS across all stages and disciplines.

- Data & Digital Quality: Drive first-pass yield, defect density, scrap rate, and CAPA cycle time KPIs with single-source-of-truth traceability.

- Organizational Build-Out: Recruit and mentor a dual-discipline team covering all four stages. Establish scalable AS9100D-aligned QMS tailored to rapid iteration.

Requirements:

- Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics, or Systems Engineering (advanced degree preferred).

- 15+ years aerospace Systems Reliability, Quality Control & Assurance experience, including 5+ years leading cross-disciplinary quality across full lifecycle in launch vehicles or high-reliability aerospace systems.

- Proven success standing up/scaling QMS in NewSpace/fast-iteration environments.

Key Attributes:

- Deep expertise in high precision space launch systems and rocket engine systems quality.

- Experience in Avionics and software quality, including Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS) and Software-in-the-Loop Simulation (SILS) testing, integration, and validation.

- Cryogenic & oxygen systems QA, pressure-vessel codes.

- DO-178C / DO-254 / NPR 7150.2, IPC standards, MIL-STD-810/461/883.

- ASNT Level III (preferred), EIA-649 configuration management, FMECA & reliability tools.

Leadership:

- Strong process ownership mindset with ability to hold hardware/tests under pressure while enabling velocity.

- Translate quality across machinists, design engineers, assembly teams, test engineers, and firmware specialists.

- Build a proactive quality culture measured by configuration integrity, first time right approach.