Head of Quality & Reliability

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 a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role

We are seeking a hands‑on, systems‑oriented Head of Quality & Reliability to build and lead a world‑class quality organization as we scale from product development to production. This is a foundational leadership role responsible for embedding quality and reliability into every stage of the product lifecycle, ensuring our systems meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and mission success.

As the leader of Quality & Reliability, you will architect and implement our Quality Management System (QMS), lead the company through AS9100 certification, and establish the processes, standards, and culture required to deliver mission‑critical aerospace systems with exceptional quality and reliability. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, and Production teams, you will ensure that quality is built into our products and processes from the outset, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organization.

The ideal candidate is a builder and leader who thrives in fast‑paced environments, enjoys creating scalable systems from the ground up, and has successfully established quality and reliability functions within aerospace, defense, space, or other high‑performance engineering organizations. You bring deep technical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for enabling teams to deliver products customers can trust.

Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and continuously improve the company Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance, scalability, and operational excellence
• Lead the achievement and maintenance of AS9100 certification, including audits, compliance activities, training, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Own core quality processes, including document control, configuration management, nonconformance management, CAPA, and audit readiness
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, and Production teams to embed quality and reliability throughout the product lifecycle
• Develop and implement quality plans, process controls, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality strategies that support reliable product delivery
• Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement efforts to reduce defects, improve yields, and enhance process capability
• Establish quality and reliability metrics, reporting systems, and data‑driven improvement initiatives across the organization
• Develop and execute the company’s reliability strategy, including qualification testing, reliability growth, failure analysis, and risk mitigation methodologies.
• Drive implementation of reliability engineering best practices, including FMEA, FRACAS, fault analysis, and lifecycle risk management
• Build and lead a high‑performing Quality & Reliability organization while serving as a trusted cross‑functional leader balancing product integrity, operational efficiency, and execution speed

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or reliability engineering
• 3+ years of experience leading teams or owning major cross‑functional quality initiatives
• Experience operating in high‑reliability industries (aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, etc.)
• Strong background in DFMEA, Control Plans, DOE, Six Sigma, DFSS, statistical methods, and reliability engineering
• A track record of building or scaling quality systems in low‑to‑medium volume, high‑complexity environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high‑growth startup or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments
• Experience leading organizations through AS9100 certification or major QMS transformations
• Experience building systems for quality data, analytics, and feedback loops that drive operational or engineering improvements
• Background spanning both technical and operational roles, including quality, manufacturing engineering, or operations leadership
• Hands‑on experience with RF, PCBA, custom enclosures, or electromechanical assemblies, or other complex hardware systems

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, Northwood Space reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with optional needs.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• This role requires being on‑site 5 days per week

Compensation

Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary depending on job‑related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long‑term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses. Benefits include equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, flexible time off, 10 or more paid holidays per year, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Additional Information

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.