Senior Hardware Quality Engineer

Airbus Ventures; Englewood (CO); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Coverage

Hybrid Work

RTD EcoPass

Lunch stipend

Paid time off (vacation/sick/holidays)

401(k) matching

Travel opportunities

Stock options

Learning & Development

Team events

Job summary

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. in Englewood, CO, is seeking a Senior Hardware Quality Engineer to ensure mission-ready spacecraft hardware and reliable delivery. You will lead product assurance across development, manufacturing, and testing, driving risk-based inspection and continuous improvement.

You will mentor teams, review engineering documentation, manage nonconformances, and collaborate with suppliers to uphold strict quality standards for lunar hardware programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of hardware quality engineering / aerospace experience.
• Experience reviewing drawings, specs, and manufacturing docs.
• Experience managing hardware nonconformances and CAPAs.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma / problem-solving methods.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement product assurance requirements and acceptance processes.
• Provide quality oversight across development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing.
• Review drawings, specs, and inspection requirements for compliance.
• Lead MRBs/FRBs and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Develop quality metrics and communicate program quality status.
• Support change processes and risk-based inspection strategies.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve issues.

Skills

Hardware quality engineering

Product assurance

Aerospace engineering

Engineering drawings review

Nonconformance management

Lean Six Sigma

Risk assessment

Analytical skills

Accountability

Spacecraft hardware experience

NPI

NASA standards

MRB/FRB leadership

Supplier quality

CQE

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Job description

At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.

With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.

Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.

At ispaceUS, we are building the technologies and capabilities that will enable a sustainable future in space. We are seeking a Senior Hardware Quality Engineer to play a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and mission readiness of our spacecraft and aerospace hardware.

In this role, you will collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Program Management to establish and maintain rigorous product assurance standards throughout the hardware lifecycle. From initial development through manufacturing, integration, testing, and delivery, you will drive quality excellence, identify and mitigate risks, and champion continuous improvement to help ensure mission success.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Program Management and Engineering to define and implement product assurance requirements, quality standards, verification criteria, and hardware acceptance processes.

• Provide quality engineering oversight throughout hardware development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, and delivery.

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing documentation, and inspection requirements to ensure compliance with applicable product and program requirements.

• Lead nonconformance management activities, coordinate Material Review Boards (MRBs), facilitate Failure Review Boards (FRBs), and drive root cause investigations and corrective actions through closure.

• Evaluate hardware nonconformances and recommend technically justified dispositions in collaboration with responsible engineering authorities.

• Develop, monitor, and communicate program quality metrics, including nonconformance trends, defect rates, corrective action effectiveness, and product and process performance.

• Support engineering change processes by evaluating impacts to product quality, verification requirements, configuration management, and hardware acceptance.

• Establish risk-based inspection and verification strategies, leveraging supplier documentation, certificates of conformity, and objective evidence of compliance.

• Review supplier quality documentation and collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to resolve nonconformances and quality concerns.

• Support hardware qualification, verification, and acceptance activities, ensuring proper documentation, traceability, and resolution of quality issues.

• Proactively identify product and process quality risks and coordinate mitigation strategies with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Program Management.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, implement effective process controls, and promote a culture of quality, accountability, and innovation.

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members on quality engineering processes, inspection practices, and product assurance requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

• 5+ years of experience in hardware quality engineering, product assurance, manufacturing quality, or a related aerospace engineering discipline.

• Experience supporting complex aerospace hardware throughout development, manufacturing, integration, testing, and acceptance.

• Demonstrated ability to review and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, manufacturing documentation, and inspection requirements.

• Experience managing hardware nonconformances, supporting root cause investigations, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.

• Working knowledge of structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, DMAIC, 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, or 8D.

• Ability to identify and assess technical and quality risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support sound engineering decisions.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary technical teams.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex quality challenges, drive issues to resolution, and maintain high standards of accountability.

What Makes You Stand Out

• 7+ years of progressive experience in aerospace hardware quality engineering, product assurance, or manufacturing quality, particularly supporting spacecraft or flight hardware programs.

• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI), environmental qualification testing, and flight hardware verification and acceptance.

• Familiarity with NASA standards and requirements related to Reliability, Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts, Materials and Processes, Software Product Assurance, and System Safety, including Range Safety.

• Experience leading Material Review Boards (MRBs), Failure Review Boards (FRBs), and complex hardware failure investigations.

• Demonstrated success developing risk-based inspection strategies, improving manufacturing processes, and implementing measurable quality improvements.

• Experience collaborating with suppliers to evaluate product compliance, resolve quality issues, and improve supplier performance.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent demonstrated process improvement expertise.

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification.

• Experience working in a fast-paced aerospace development environment where innovation, collaboration, and mission success are essential.

• A passion for space exploration and a commitment to building reliable, high-quality hardware that supports the future of lunar exploration.

$101,000 - $152,000 a year

The salary posted is a targeted range for budget of position. Base compensation can be negotiated and will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training. We welcome candidates with diverse experience levels and evaluate the best fit on an individual basis. Your final job level and salary will be determined based on your skills, experience, and the impact you can bring to the role.

• Health Coverage: Competitive medical, vision, and dental plans, with 100% company-paid options available for employees.
• Hybrid Work: Flexibility to work remotely and in-office, depending on your role and the stage of our program.
• Commuter Perks: Company-paid RTD EcoPass for buses and light rail.
• Lunch Perks: Monthly stipend to enjoy meals from our café.
• Paid Time Off: 18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Travel: Opportunities for domestic and international travel.
• Stock Options: Participation in our stock option program.
• Learning & Development: Ample opportunities to grow, including lunch-and-learns, skills training, and stipends for professional development.
• Team Culture: A fun and casual environment with regular team gatherings, including monthly events to connect and unwind.

#LI-LH1

At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.

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. Learn more about the ITAR.

ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace 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.

All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug‑free workplace.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E‑Verify program.