R&D Quality Assurance Engineer, Steward Observatory

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA; Tucson, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits

Job summary

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory is seeking an experienced R&D Quality Assurance Engineer to support the replacement of a large telescope primary mirror and its interfaces. You will drive quality engineering activities to ensure manufacturing, integration, and verification meet established standards. This position requires travel within the United States and may involve visits to U.S.

military bases. The role is tied to a federal contract and requires U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in systems engineering, quality engineering, product assurance, or a closely related technical field.
• This position requires U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements.

Responsibilities

• Quality Process Engineering: Reviews quality standards and implements control measures to ensure components meet metrics and resolve issues.
• Quality Assurance & Supplier Quality: Supports QA plans, inspection strategies, and supplier quality activities.
• Project Coordination & Collaboration: Works with scientists, engineers, technicians, and leadership to manage risks and issues.
• Risk Management & Reliability: Monitors safety, conducts CAPA activities, and supports FMEA efforts.

Skills

Quality assurance methods

Configuration management

Engineering change control

Root-cause analysis

FMEA

Strong communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Job description

R&D Quality Assurance Engineer, Steward Observatory

R&D Quality Assurance Engineer, Steward Observatory

Posting Number req26992

Department Steward Observatory

Department Website Link https://astro.arizona.edu

Location Steward Observatory

Address 9040 S. Rita Rd, Suite 1500, Tucson, AZ 85747 USA

Position Highlights Steward Observatory is both a century-old observatory on the University of Arizona campus and one of the University’s oldest research units. Founded in 1918, the Observatory brings together students, staff, faculty, engineers, and technicians to explore the universe and share discoveries through world-class research, education, and outreach. With more than 180 professionals supporting advanced facilities, laboratories, and observatories, Steward Observatory offers a collaborative environment where technical expertise plays a critical role in advancing ground- and space-based astronomy.

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply for the role of R&D Quality Assurance Engineer. In this position, you will serve as a Quality Engineer supporting the replacement of a large ground-based telescope primary mirror and its associated telescope interfaces. You will support quality engineering activities to ensure that manufacturing, integration, and verification processes meet established technical and quality standards. The project is currently in the post-Critical Design Review (CDR) phase and is entering fabrication, integration, verification, and commissioning activities.

The successful candidate must be able to travel within the United States for this position and may need to visit U.S. military bases.

This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position).

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

Quality Process Engineering:

• Reviews quality standards and implements control measures, including sampling and testing methodologies, to ensure components meet metrics and to resolve recurring reliability issues
• Operates and troubleshoots specialized equipment and instruments to maintain the technical infrastructure required for research and safety testing
• Updates and maintains documentation, including drawings and schematics.
• Develops and modifies procedures and associated documentation.

Quality Assurance & Supplier Quality:

• Assists in implementing quality assurance plans, inspection strategies, and quality control processes to ensure compliance with project requirements and quality standards.
• Support supplier quality activities, including source inspections, First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR), acceptance reviews, and vendor assessments.

Project Coordination & Collaboration:

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, suppliers, and project leadership to identify risks, resolve technical and quality issues, and support project objectives.
• Communicates with other engineering functions, including design, process, production, quality, and reliability.
• Handles the documentation of procedures and analyzes experimental data to prepare comprehensive reports that ensure transparency and traceability for management review.

Risk Management & Reliability:

• Monitors the safety of personnel and equipment to identify risks, implement mitigation plans, and support campus health, safety, and environmental compliance
• Participates in investigations of nonconformances and quality issues, including root-cause analyses and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities.
• Support risk and reliability assessments, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and assist with the development and tracking of mitigation plans.

Knowledge,Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Working knowledge ofquality assurance methods, configuration management, engineering changecontrol, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), andrisk assessment techniques, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, andcollaboration skills, with the ability towork effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage multipleassignments.

PhysicalRequirements and Environmental Demands:

• Noise levels may be sufficient to require shouting in order to be heard above surrounding noise.
• Work safely around moving machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, and energized systems.
• Performwork from ladders, scaffolding, elevated platforms, and other highlocations as required.
• Safelyhandle and work around chemicals, oils, lubricants, and cutting fluids.
• Followestablished safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics,Computer Science, or a related technical course of study.
• Minimum of three years of experience in systemsengineering, quality engineering, product assurance, or a closely relatedtechnical field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position).

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Research

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $65,687 - $85,393

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 9

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Career Stream and Level PC2

Job Family Research Engineering

Job Function Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Robert Walker
Systems Engineering Manager
[e-mail]

Open Date 9/8/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].