Senior QA Engineer

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior QA Engineer (QAE) provides planning, leadership, and supervisory quality assurance expertise to the Safety & Mission Assurance (S&MA) team and flight hardware development projects at LASP, University of Colorado Boulder. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we invite applicants from all backgrounds.

This onsite role requires extensive QA experience in aerospace and collaboration with program managers and vendors to ensure compliance with ISO 9001/AS9100 standards and NASA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Ten years of QA experience in an aerospace environment.
• Experience with NASA flight projects from concept through launch.

Responsibilities

• Maintains NASA and IPC certifications for workmanship inspections and performs inspections when needed.
• Generates high level quality planning documents for programs and the LASP Quality Management System (QMS).
• Audits, monitors, evaluates, and reports on vendor and subcontractor performance and activities.
• Guides, oversees, and makes recommendations to anomaly review boards throughout the project anomaly resolution process.
• Resolves issues of non-compliance with quality standards and procedures.
• Represents LASP as prime QA contact on programs and contracts, interacting with senior external personnel on significant technical matters.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Initiative

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

ISO 9001

AS9100

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior QA Engineer (QAE) provides planning, leadership, andsupervisory quality assurance expertise to the Safety & MissionAssurance (S&MA) team and flight hardware developmentprojects.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and SpacePhysics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder isrevolutionizing human understanding of the cosmos. LASP is deeplycommitted to inspiring and educating the next generation of spaceexplorers. From enabling the first exploratory rocket measurementsof Earth’s upper atmosphere to trailblazing observations of everyplanet in the solar system, LASP is at the forefront of solar,planetary and space physics research, space-weather monitoring, andthe search for evidence of habitable worlds.

LASP advances scientific discovery and inspires the next generationthrough research, innovation, and education in space sciences. Weemploy over 700 scientists, engineers, support personnel, andstudents that work closely to cultivate creative ideas and explorenovel solutions to make the impossible possible.

LASP is dedicated to building and maintaining a unique synergism ofexpertise in space science, engineering, and spacecraft operations.Through research projects, LASP participates actively in thetraining of the future leaders of space research and helps theUniversity of Colorado to educate students with valued technicaland scientific skills. Development and use of innovativetechnologies and continuing participation in new researchinitiatives ensures a strong leadership role for LASP into thefuture.

LASP is proud of our work environment that supports employeecreativity and productivity and offers opportunities for a broadrange of experiences. Further information about LASP can be foundhere: https://lasp.colorado.edu/home/.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Maintains NASA and IPC certifications for workmanshipinspections and performs inspections when needed.
• Generates high level quality planning documents for programsand the LASP Quality Management System (QMS).
• Contributes to writing of proposals for possible new LASPprograms.
• Audits, monitors, evaluates, and reports on vendor andsubcontractor performance and activities.
• Evaluates prospective suppliers’ quality systems for compliancewith requirements.
• Guides, oversees, and makes recommendations to anomaly reviewboards throughout the project anomaly resolution process.
• Works with program managers in generation of budgets andschedules.
• Advises project teams and lab personnel on complex QAmatters.
• Presents S&MA status and other data at project-levelreviews.
• Resolves issues of non-compliance with quality standards andprocedures.
• Plays an active role in maintaining and improving the QMS andits processes.
• Trains personnel on LASP Engineering processes, quality systemupdates and other topics as needed.
• May supervise, lead and direct multiple S&MA personnel onflight programs.
• Represents LASP as prime QA contact on programs and contracts,interacting with senior external personnel on significant technicalmatters.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What You Should Know

• This position is 100% onsite at LASP.
• Due to requirements to access export-controlled data andinformation, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (greencard holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., personsdesignated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident underamnesty provisions) may apply.
• Occasional travel to vendors, subcontractors and affiliatefacilities may be required.

What We Can Offer

Annual Salary: $120,000 - $157,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well-being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world-classoutdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs throughthe CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field
• Ten years of QA experience in an aerospace environment

What You Will Need

• Ability to develop technical solutions to complex problemsrequiring ingenuity and creativity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience with QA systems such as ISO 9001, AS9100, conductingaudits, and corrective actions.
• A demonstrated ability to understand aerospace specificationsand standards and the requirements contained therein that guide thedesign, build, and test of hardware.
• A demonstrated ability to understand quality engineeringprinciples, tools, methods, and standards.
• Willingness to take initiative, good time management skills,and ability to complete tasks on schedule.
• Ability to maintain professional working relationships withfellow employees, vendors, and prime contractor personnel.
• Ability to demonstrate diplomacy when negotiating agreementsinvolving differing opinions.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software formaintaining accurate records.

What We Would Like You to Have

Quality Assurance experience supporting the design, fabrication,integration, testing, and delivery of:

• Spacecraft
• Scientific instruments
• Flight electronics
• Ground support equipment.

Experience with NASA flight projects from concept throughlaunch.

Please apply by 9/4/2026 for consideration.