Chief Quality & Reliability for Space Systems

Northwood; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity (stock options)

Job summary

Northwood is seeking a hands-on, systems-oriented Head of Quality & Reliability to embed quality across the product lifecycle and scale from development to production. You will architect and implement a Quality Management System (QMS), lead AS9100 certification, and establish processes, standards, and culture for mission-critical aerospace systems.

The ideal candidate will build scalable systems, lead quality and reliability functions in aerospace/space, and collaborate with Engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or reliability engineering.
• 3+ years leading teams or owning major cross-functional quality initiatives.
• Experience in high-reliability industries (aerospace, defense, etc.).
• Strong background in DFMEA, Control Plans, DOE, Six Sigma, DFSS, reliability engineering.

Responsibilities

• Build and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead AS9100 certification efforts, audits, training, and improvements.
• Own core quality processes: document control, configuration mgmt, nonconformance, CAPA, audit readiness.
• Embed quality throughout product lifecycle with cross-functional teams.
• Develop quality plans, process controls, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality strategies.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive continuous improvement.
• Establish quality and reliability metrics and data-driven improvements.
• Develop reliability strategy: qualification, reliability growth, failure analysis, risk mitigation.
• Drive reliability engineering best practices: FMEA, FRACAS, lifecycle risk management.
• Build and lead a high-performing Quality & Reliability organization.

Skills

DFMEA

Control Plans

DOE

Six Sigma

DFSS

Reliability engineering

Quality systems leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

QMS implementation

AS9100 certification

Job description

Northwood is seeking a hands-on, systems-oriented Head of Quality & Reliability to embed quality across the product lifecycle and scale from development to production. You will architect and implement a Quality Management System (QMS), lead AS9100 certification, and establish processes, standards, and culture for mission-critical aerospace systems.

The ideal candidate will build scalable systems, lead quality and reliability functions in aerospace/space, and collaborate with Engineering,