Aerospace Quality Engineer – NASA Satellite / Space Flight Hardware

Sqaservices; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SQA Services seeks an experienced Aerospace Quality Engineer to support NASA satellite hardware on a supplier site with active quality challenges. You will perform hands-on quality tasks on the manufacturing floor, review WOAs and travelers, and enforce NASA workmanship standards along with AS9100.

Applicants should have 7+ years in aerospace quality, direct NASA program experience, and be comfortable working on the floor with flight hardware. ITAR compliance required.

Qualifications

• NASA workmanship standards experience required or sponsorship available.
• 7+ years of experience as a Quality Engineer in aerospace/space hardware.
• Experience working on NASA satellite or space programs is essential.
• Familiar with WOAs, travelers, procedures, and NCRs.
• Comfortable on the manufacturing floor with flight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on quality engineering support on the manufacturing floor for NASA satellite flight hardware.
• Review, approve, and ensure compliance with WOAs, travelers, procedures, and internal documentation.
• Ensure compliance with NASA workmanship standards, AS9100, and customer requirements.
• Identify and disposition nonconformances and implement effective corrective actions.
• Support first article, in-process, and final inspections of space flight hardware.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality leadership.
• Stabilize or rebuild quality processes in high-risk or transitioning environments.

Skills

Quality engineering

Aerospace/space hardware

NASA programs

WOAs & NCRs

Manufacturing floor QA

ITAR compliance

Inspection & testing

Documentation & communication

Job description

For more than 30 years, SQA Services has been a leader in managed supplier quality services, including audits, inspections, corrective actions, remediation, and quality engineering support. We deploy experienced quality professionals across the United States and in over 90 countries to support aerospace and regulated manufacturing programs on demand.

SQA Services is seeking an experienced Aerospace Quality Engineer to support a NASA satellite (space flight hardware) program at a supplier site with active quality challenges.

This role requires a highly proactive, floor-based QE with deep experience working directly with flight hardware, Work Order Authorizations (WOAs), internal procedures, and nonconformances. The selected engineer will provide stability, oversight, and hands‑on quality support while a newly hired internal QE ramps up.

Candidates must have NASA workmanship standards experience. If certifications are not current but the experience is relevant, NASA will sponsor training and certification.

• Provide hands‑on quality engineering support on the manufacturing floor for NASA satellite flight hardware
• Review, approve, and enforce compliance with WOAs, travelers, procedures, and internal documentation
• Ensure compliance with NASA workmanship standards, AS9100, and customer requirements
• Actively review, document, and disposition nonconformances, ensuring corrective actions are effective
• Support first article, in-process, and final inspections of space flight hardware
• Identify gaps in quality execution and prevent escapes through proactive engagement
• Support configuration control, documentation accuracy, and procedural discipline
• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality leadership
• 7+ years of experience as a Quality Engineer supporting aerospace or space flight hardware
• Direct experience working on NASA satellite or space programs
• Strong hands‑on experience with WOAs, travelers, procedures, and NCRs
• Working knowledge of NASA workmanship standards, including:
• IPC-A-610
• J-STD-001
• IPC-620 w/ Space Addendum or NASA-STD-8739.4 (preferred)
• NASA-STD-8739.1B
• Comfortable working on the manufacturing floor with flight hardware
• Strong understanding of AS9100, aerospace quality systems, and configuration control
• Excellent documentation, communication, and problem‑solving skills
• U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (ITAR required)
• Prior experience supporting satellite subsystems, payloads, or space flight assemblies
• Experience stabilizing or rebuilding quality processes in high‑risk or transitioning environments
• Familiarity with environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, EMC)
• Experience working directly with NASA or prime aerospace contractors

Note:

SQA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications, and is not influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

This position requires access to ITAR‑controlled technical data and/or defense articles. As such, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants who do not meet these criteria will not be considered for this role.