Quality Engineer
Job description
About the role
A major spacecraft program advances from development into production with consistent quality. The team drives standards and processes that align with aerospace requirements and mission readiness.
Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.
Key facts
What you'll do
Flight hardware receives verification that quality, reliability, and mission-readiness requirements are met to protect mission success.
Quality Management System processes and documentation are built and scaled to standardize operations and records.
AS9100 implementation and certification align practices with aerospace standards through structured procedures.
Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Operations partners improve product quality and production repeatability through collaboration.
Root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement resolve issues and prevent recurrence across the program.
Ownership of quality for a major spacecraft program spans development through production to meet program demands.
Requirements
The posting states a minimum of 7 years of experience.
A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field is mandatory for this role.
Three to seven years of experience in aerospace, defense, or another regulated manufacturing environment is required.
Working knowledge of AS9100D and AS9102 is required for compliance and process alignment.
Inspection methods, GD&T, and manufacturing documentation are used to validate designs and processes effectively.
CAPA and root-cause analysis experience is required to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
Practical notes
U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, Refugee status, or Asylee status is required to meet ITAR export regulations.
The role supports work in office and manufacturing environments, with the ability to stand, walk, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
Typical interview steps
Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.
Good to know
The role focuses on quality, standards, and process rigor in a regulated aerospace environment.
Common tools in this field include QMS platforms, inspection equipment, and documentation control systems.
Questions to ask
Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.
Career growth
Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.