Quality Assurance Manager

About the role

They guide a quality team and interface with regulators and customers on critical programs.

QA and test roles make sure software works before users see it. Testers design test cases, run manual and automated checks, and report defects. QA engineers build test frameworks that run with every release. Attention to detail and clear defect reports are the core skills. QA teams protect release quality and user trust. Most teams combine manual checks with automated suites that run on every commit.

Key facts

What you'll do

Ensure the system evolves through continuous improvement and remains aligned with mission assurance objectives.

Represent Voyager's quality commitments and address regulatory and customer expectations directly.

Close loops through documented reviews and follow-up to prevent recurrence.

Align processes with program requirements and regulatory controls.

Confirm that documentation, tests, and approvals are complete and accurate.

Protect parts integrity and compliance across the supply chain.

Build team capability and align efforts with program risk and objectives.

Maintain a safe, controlled environment for hardware processing.

Requirements

Hold a Bachelor's degree in Quality, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering with 7 years of experience in quality engineering or mission assurance, or a Master's degree with 5 years of experience, or 11 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree. Meet the stated education and experience threshold for the role.

Demonstrate deep working knowledge of AS9100D and proven experience navigating regulatory aerospace quality audits. Apply standards and practices during assessments and audits.

Lead Material Review Board activities and closed-loop root cause and corrective action, including NCR, CAR, and SCAR workflows and 8D and 5-Why methods. Execute structured problem-solving across the product lifecycle.

Apply knowledge of space-grade workmanship standards, including IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, including the Space Addendum. Use documented processes to achieve required quality levels.

Show experience with supplier quality management, source inspection, and PCBA manufacturing. Manage supplier performance and compliance effectively.

Interpret schematics, assembly drawings, specifications, and data sheets for complex electronic hardware. Use technical documents to guide inspections and decisions.

Lead high-performing technical quality and inspection teams of up to 10 personnel for at least 3 years. Provide direction, coaching, and performance management.

Obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance to satisfy government access requirements. Meet eligibility and adjudication standards for clearance.

Practical notes

Typical interview steps

QA interviews usually include a test design exercise, a bug report scenario, and a coding or scripting question for automation roles. Candidates may be asked to test a login flow or prioritize fixes for a release. Structured, thorough thinking is what interviewers look for. Interviewers often ask how you would test a specific feature. Listing happy paths, edge cases, and failure modes in order is the winning structure.

Good to know

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

QA careers grow from manual tester to QA engineer, test lead, and quality manager roles. Automation experience opens the fastest path. Some people move into developer or release engineering roles as skills deepen. QA careers reward automation skills and a systematic eye. Testers who can articulate product risk influence release decisions.