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Jobs · Quality Assurance · Colorado

Staff Quality Engineer, Hardware

Capella Space · Louisville, CO · 1 mo ago
On-siteQuality Assurance$146k–$192k/yrFull-time

About the role

The Senior Staff Quality Engineer plays a pivotal role in ensuring spacecraft structural and propulsion systems meet stringent quality standards. This role requires expertise in quality assurance, process improvement, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and enforce quality requirements for spacecraft structural assemblies, subassemblies, including propulsion systems, and components.

  • Familiarity with RF SMT test or manufacturing experience (Radio Frequency Surface-mount technology) is a plus.

  • Lead, facilitate, and investigate nonconformances with root cause corrective action (RCCA) methodologies (such as 8D, DMAIC, and other structured problem-solving methods).

  • Analysis of NCRs, trends, supplier projects, and internal processes.

  • Provide real-time quality support on the manufacturing floor, including developing inspection test procedures, acceptance test procedures (ATP) and overseeing environmental testing quality compliance (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC).

  • Develop in-process inspection criteria, First Article Inspection plans, and final product acceptance protocols.

  • Develop, manage, and support MRB (Material Review Board) dispositions and oversee rework/repair activities.

  • Implement incoming inspection process for hardware and materials, and review supplier quality escape reports.

  • Collaborate with Systems Engineering to verify that critical-to-quality (CTQ) features are flowed down and verified at build stages.

  • Support internal and external audits, including customer and certification audits.

  • Manage supplier quality assurance activities for aerospace parts and assemblies.

  • Support manufacturing readiness activities including PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and Control Plans.

  • Maintain calibration, gaging, and special process control systems in compliance with aerospace standards.

  • Train operators and inspectors on inspection methods, specifications, and quality requirements.

  • Ensure compliance with contractual quality requirements, ITAR regulations, and ISO/AS9100 standards.

  • Support failure investigations and anomaly resolutions for hardware issues.

Requirements

  • B.S. or higher in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Industrial)

  • 13+ years of experience in a regulated industry (aerospace, robotics, medical device, automotive, or equivalent)

  • Deep familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and AS9102 standards

  • To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

  • ASQ certifications (CQE, CRE, CMQ/OE) are highly preferred.

  • Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with a proven track record of using statistical methods (DOE, SPC, ANOVA) to reduce variability in low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing.

  • A history of mentoring mid-level engineers and developing internal training curricula that raised the overall "Quality IQ" of a production team.

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