Quality Engineer

Actalent; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced Quality Engineer to support the manufacturing of solar array systems for space applications. This contract role partners with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure flight hardware meets AS9100, ISO 9001, and customer quality requirements.

The position is onsite in Goleta, CA, and offers pay in the range of $52.00–$60.00 per hour. The role requires 5+ years in quality engineering in aerospace or related high‑reliability environments and ITAR eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related STEM field.
• 5+ years of Quality Engineering experience, preferably aerospace, space, or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Experience with RCA, CAPA, audits, inspections, and QMS.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance activities for aerospace/space hardware.
• Perform root cause analysis and CAPA for quality issues.
• Conduct internal/external audits and inspections.
• Monitor quality metrics and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain quality plans, procedures, and controls.
• Support manufacturing and inspection of space flight hardware.
• Communicate with customers regarding quality issues and documentation.
• Support PPAP activities when required.

Skills

Quality engineering

Aerospace

AS9100

ISO 9001

RCA

CAPA

Audits

QMS

ITAR eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering/Quality

Job description

Seeking an experienced Quality Engineer to support the manufacturing of solar array systems for space applications. This role partners with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure flight hardware meets AS9100, ISO 9001, and customer quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance activities for aerospace/space hardware.
• Perform root cause analysis and CAPA for quality issues.
• Conduct internal/external audits and inspections.
• Monitor quality metrics and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain quality plans, procedures, and controls.
• Support manufacturing and inspection of space flight hardware.
• Communicate with customers regarding quality issues and documentation.
• Support PPAP activities when required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related STEM field.
• 5+ years of Quality Engineering experience, preferably aerospace, space, or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Experience with RCA, CAPA, audits, inspections, and QMS.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements.

Preferred

• Experience with spacecraft, solar arrays, or high-reliability aerospace hardware.
• CQE or similar quality certification.
• PPAP experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Goleta, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.00 - $60.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Goleta, CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.