Quality Assurance Manager, Commercial Services

Iridium Communications Inc; Tempe (AZ); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)

ASQ CMQ/OE (Manager of Quality/Organiz

ASQ ISO9001 Lead Auditor

Lean Expert or Six Sigma Black Belt

Job summary

Iridium Communications Inc is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager, Commercial Services to join our Quality & Process Maturity team. You’ll lead quality and process excellence activities, define metrics, analyze data, and drive improvements that meet customer requirements and Iridium's BMS.

You’ll partner with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, lead audits, and develop actionable insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in quality assurance, quality systems, process improvement, or a related discipline, preferably within regulated industries such as satellite/telecom/aerospace.
• Strong background in Software Quality Assurance.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and improving quality management systems, business processes, or organizational management systems.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience developing and analyzing quality and process performance metrics.
• Experience conducting or supporting internal and external audits and assessments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex topics to stakeholders outside of the team.
• Ability to build relationships with leadership and drive urgency to deliver results.
• Curiosity to drive problem solving to true root cause and systemic fixes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure commercial services maintain compliance with Iridium's Business Management System (BMS) and customer requirements.
• Serve as the primary Quality point of contact for Commercial Services and provide guidance on quality requirements and best practices.
• Lead investigation, root cause analysis, corrective action, and closure of CARs.
• Participate in NPI program reviews and provide Quality oversight to ensure compliance with processes and deliverables.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop and improve BMS processes for assigned programs and activities.
• Analyze processes to identify gaps, assess risks, and prioritize improvements based on business impact.
• Ensure quality processes are well documented for training, auditing, and historical records.
• Develop metrics and reporting to transform data into actionable information for stakeholders.
• Conduct and support internal and external quality audits and assessments across processes, systems, hardware, software, and deliverables.

Skills

Quality Management

Root cause analysis

Audits & Assessments

Communication skills

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Software Quality Assurance

Job description

Overview

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

Responsibilities

What We’re Looking For:

Iridium is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Quality Assurance Manager, Commercial Services to join our Quality & Process Maturity team. As a Quality Assurance Manager, you'll lead quality and process excellence activities supporting Iridium Business Management System (BMS), including creating, improving, and implementing Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes, definition of metrics, analysis of data, and monitoring of performance. You'll be successful in this role if you are a self-motivated systemic thinker and skilled problem-solver who can translate business and customer requirements into effective processes, measurable outcomes, and actionable improvements.

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for ensuring commercial services maintain compliance with Iridium's Business Management System (BMS), established processes and customer requirements


• Serve as the primary Quality point of contact for Commercial Services and provide guidance on quality requirements, processes, and best practices


• Lead and facilitate the investigation, documentation, root cause analysis, corrective action, and closure of internal and external Corrective Action Requests (CARs)


• Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) program reviews and provide Quality oversight to ensure compliance with established processes, quality requirements, and deliverable expectationsPartner with cross-functional stakeholders to develop, implement, and continuously improve Iridium's Business Management System processes supporting assigned programs and business activities


• Analyze existing processes to identify gaps between current and designed performance, assess risks and opportunities, and prioritize improvement initiatives based on business impact


• Ensure quality processes and procedures are well documented to support training, implementation, auditing, and historical record-keeping


• Verify compliance of development and operational deliverables with applicable BMS processes, customer requirements, and regulatory standards


• Develop metrics and reporting methods that transform data into clear, actionable information for stakeholders and leadership to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement


• Conduct and support internal and external quality assurance audits and assessments, covering processes, systems, hardware, software development, and customer deliverables

Qualifications

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or related field


• 8+ years of relevant experience in quality assurance, quality systems, process improvement, or a related discipline, preferably within the satellite communications, telecommunications, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industry


• Strong background in Software Quality Assurance


• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and improving quality management systems, business processes, or organizational management systems


• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement methodologies


• Experience developing and analyzing quality and process performance metrics


• Experience conducting or supporting internal and external audits and assessments


• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues to groups outside of your team or those who are unfamiliar with the topic


• Have confidence and be able to easily build relationships with leadership and colleagues outside of your team


• Have a strong sense of urgency in driving projects to completion and be motivated to achieve outcomes and results


• The curiosity to drive problem solving to true root cause identification, implementation of corrective actions and systemic fixes

Things ThatWould beGreatif You Brought to the Table:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)


• ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)


• ASQ Certified ISO9001 Lead Auditor


• Lean Expert or Six Sigma Black Belt

We'll also need you to:

• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizens


• Be able to travel domestically up to 10%

ADA and EEO

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $105,000 - $140,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role.You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.