Lead Quality Engineer

Socket.dev; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

15 days PTO

10 holidays + year-end shutdown

401K with 4% match

Disability & life insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

Cosmic Shielding seeks a hands-on Lead Quality Engineer to drive AS9100 compliance and quality excellence across design, manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and testing of space hardware in Huntsville.

You will own and advance the Quality Management System, lead root-cause analyses, CAPAs, supplier quality, and audits, partnering with manufacturing, engineering, and programs to ensure reliable, high-reliability products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or Materials Science.
• 8+ years in progressive quality roles in manufacturing, aerospace, or high-reliability sectors.
• Hands-on AS9100 QMS implementation, audits, and certification experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s AS9100 certification and ongoing certification maintenance, audits, compliance activities, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build, implement, and continuously improve the Quality Management System for scalability and operational excellence.
• Own core quality processes including document control, configuration management, nonconformance management, CAPA, and audit readiness.
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering and programs to embed quality across the product lifecycle.
• Develop and implement quality plans, process controls, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality strategies for reliable delivery.
• Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement to reduce defects and improve yields.
• Establish quality and reliability metrics, reporting systems, and data-driven improvement initiatives.

Skills

Quality leadership

Root cause analysis

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Quality/Materials Science

Tools

AS9100 QMS

Job description

About This Role

Cosmic Shielding is seeking a hands-on Quality leader responsible for driving quality excellence across the design, manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and testing of mission-critical space hardware. This role provides technical leadership in quality engineering, develops and implements quality systems and processes, and works closely with manufacturing, engineering, and test teams to ensure products meet stringent customer, aerospace, and regulatory requirements. You will own and build out the quality management system, verify compliance against AS9100, and drive the organization towards a quality first mindset. The Lead Quality Engineer will lead root-cause investigations, corrective and preventive actions, nonconformance management, process validation, supplier quality initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts. The role will also support first article inspections, production readiness, configuration control, risk management, and audits while promoting a culture of quality, accountability, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate has strong experience in aerospace or space manufacturing, a deep understanding of quality standards and statistical methods, and a proven ability to solve complex technical problems and lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, high-reliability environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s AS9100 certification and execute the plan to ensure maintenance, including audits, compliance activities, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Build, implement, and continuously improve the company Quality Management System, ensuring compliance, scalability, and operational excellence

• Own core quality processes, including document control, configuration management, nonconformance management, CAPA, and audit readiness

• Partner closely with manufacturing, engineering and program teams to embed quality and drive operational success 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.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.

• 8+ years of progressive quality experience in manufacturing, with significant exposure to aerospace, defense, or high-reliability industries preferred.

• Hands-on experience implementing, maintaining, or significantly improving an AS9100 Quality Management System, including procedure writing and supporting certification or surveillance audits.

• Demonstrated experience controlling external providers / contract manufacturers (Quality Agreements, flow-down of requirements, incoming verification, supplier performance monitoring).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• AS9100 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor certification (or equivalent).

• Direct experience in materials processing (compounding, extrusion, injection molding, or additive manufacturing) or space/aerospace hardware.

• Experience taking a company through first-time AS9100 certification or a major QMS upgrade.

• Competitive compensation - we want you to grow with us

• Generous medical, dental, and vision coverage on day one of employment

• 15 days of PTO annually

• 10 paid holidays annually + end of the year holiday shutdown

• 401K with employer match up to 4% of salary

• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-sponsored life insurance and parental leave.