Director of Quality

Astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Astra in California seeks a Director of Quality and Mission Assurance to own reliability and risk management across space hardware programs. You will build and scale the quality organization, embedding mission success from design through delivery, with hands-on leadership in aerospace standards and proactive risk mitigation.

Lead the QMS program toward AS9100, oversee supplier quality, MRB and Lean Six Sigma, and mentor teams while engaging customers and government partners to ensure robust root

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or related technical field.
• 10+ years in quality and mission assurance within aerospace, defense, or space industries.
• Proven experience implementing a QMS, preferably in a manufacturing startup.
• Extensive knowledge of Mission Assurance concepts including risk management, reliability, and system safety.

Responsibilities

• Own the Mission Assurance strategy and risk assessments with engineering and program management.
• Implement a Design Assurance program ensuring quality, reliability, and safety in product design.
• Lead reliability engineering activities and the System Safety program to mitigate hazards.
• Head the Failure Review Board for significant anomalies and ensure robust corrective actions.
• Serve as independent reviewer for design reviews, test readiness, and program audits.

Skills

Risk management

Reliability engineering

System safety

QMS implementation

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Summary

As the Director of Quality and Mission Assurance, you will be the ultimate owner of reliability and risk management for all our space hardware programs. You will build and scale the company's entire quality organization, instilling a culture of mission success throughout the product lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to integration and delivery. This role requires a hands‑on, strategic leader with deep expertise in aerospace quality standards and the proven ability to proactively manage complex risks in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes startup environment.

Responsibilities

Mission Assurance Strategy and Leadership

• Mission Risk Management: Establish and own the company's Mission Assurance strategy, working with program management and engineering to perform risk assessments and identify, mitigate, and track all mission‑critical risks.
• Design and Build Assurance: Implement a Design Assurance program to ensure quality, reliability, and safety are integrated into product design from the earliest stages, in accordance with applicable standards (e.g., NASA, DOD) and contractual requirements.
• Reliability and System Safety: Develop and oversee reliability engineering activities, including risk and failure analysis, and lead the System Safety program to identify and mitigate hazards associated with the hardware.
• Failure Review Board: Lead the Failure Review Board (FRB) for all significant program anomalies and failures, ensuring robust root cause analysis and effective implementation of corrective actions.
• Independent Review: Act as the independent reviewer for program execution, participating in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and program audits to provide critical analysis and ensure a path to mission success.

Quality Management System (QMS) and Operations

• QMS Implementation: Develop, deploy, and maintain a comprehensive QMS in preparation for AS9100 certification and other relevant space‑specific quality standards.
• Supplier Quality: Lead the supplier quality management program, ensuring suppliers of critical parts and processes meet stringent space‑grade quality standards. Engage in supplier technical reviews and audits.
• Process and Production Quality: Implement process controls and oversee all aspects of hardware quality during manufacturing, assembly, and test, including non‑conformance management and material review boards (MRB).
• Continuous Improvement: Champion a continuous improvement culture, utilizing methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, to enhance processes and overall product quality and reliability.

Team Leadership and Culture

• Organizational Growth: Build, lead, mentor, and grow the quality and mission assurance team, scaling the organization to support the company's growth trajectory.
• Training and Development: Develop and implement mission assurance and quality training programs for engineers, technicians, and managers across the company.
• Customer Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality and mission assurance representatives, building trusted relationships and ensuring clear communication.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in quality and mission assurance within the aerospace, defense, or space industry.
• Proven experience leading the implementation of a QMS, preferably in a manufacturing startup.
• Extensive experience with Mission Assurance concepts, including risk management, reliability engineering, and system safety.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards such as AS9100 and familiarity with government standards and guidelines (e.g., NASA, DOD).
• Demonstrated ability to perform robust root cause analysis and lead effective corrective action efforts.

Preferred Skills

• Master's degree in an engineering or technical discipline.
• Experience with NADCAP accreditation for special processes.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).
• Experience interacting with government agencies (e.g., NASA, DoD) on mission assurance and quality issues.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and act tactically in a dynamic startup environment.
• A "roll‑up‑your‑sleeves" attitude with a passion for building something from the ground up.