Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Actalent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 76,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability coverage

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Software Quality Assurance Engineer for a contract-to-hire role in Houston, TX. The position emphasizes maintaining a robust QMS, conducting audits, and driving CAPA actions in a spaceflight software context.

The role requires 5+ years of QA experience, AS 9100 audit expertise, and familiarity with CMMI Level 3. Onsite collaboration with development and quality teams is essential for process maturity.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software quality assurance for spaceflight.
• Experience with AS 9100 audits and compliant with AS 9100 Rev D.
• CMMI experience and Level 3 support in software development.
• Hands-on with JIRA or similar workflow tools.
• Proficiency in C and C++ software development.
• Experience with requirements management tools (CRADLE/JAMA/DOORS).
• Knowledge of agile life cycle practices in QA contexts.
• Experience performing internal QMS audits in safety-critical environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain QA plans, processes, and procedures for design, qualification, test and acceptance.
• Ensure QMS compliance (AS 9100 Rev D and CMMI Level 3).
• Manage non-conforming products with traceability and closure of issues.
• Support audits, prepare findings, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct product/process assessments to support continuous improvement.
• Assist in achieving and maintaining CMMI Level 3 in software development.
• Create QA records, reports, and executive-level summaries.
• Collaborate with development to integrate QA during the Agile lifecycle.
• Ensure traceability and validation of software requirements and changes.

Skills

5+ years experience

AS 9100 audits

CMMI Level 3

JIRA

C/C++

CRADLE/JAMA/DOORS

Agile/SDLCE

Quality audits

QMS basics

Tools

JIRA

CRADLE

JAMA

DOORS

Job description

Job Title: Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Description

The Software Quality Assurance Engineer develops, maintains, and continuously improves software quality assurance plans, processes, and procedures to ensure that software products meet defined requirements and industry standards. This role focuses on sustaining a robust Quality Management System, supporting audits and certifications, and driving corrective and preventive actions that enhance product reliability and process maturity, particularly within human spaceflight software development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive software quality assurance plans, processes, and procedures covering design, qualification, test, and acceptance activities to ensure software products adhere to defined requirements and applicable industry standards.
• Maintain and ensure the Quality Management System (QMS) remains compliant with AS 9100 Rev D and CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) at a minimum of Maturity Level 3.
• Execute processes for non-conforming products, ensuring full traceability, effective resolution, and formal closure of issues.
• Support working groups and panels focused on anomaly identification, mitigation, corrective action, and prevention, ensuring Corrective/Preventative Action Plans (CA/PA) are implemented in alignment with organizational teamwork competencies.
• Support internal audits by preparing, participating, and documenting findings; recommend Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and ensure timely completion of audits to maintain compliance with policies, procedures, standards, and industry certifications.
• Conduct product and process assessments and audits to verify compliance and support continuous improvement initiatives aligned with innovation-focused core values.
• Support the organization in achieving and maintaining Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 certification in software development.
• Develop clear and accurate quality assurance records, reports, and assessments, and present facts, findings, and summaries to a broad audience that may include program leaders, management, and customers.
• Maintain and improve quality processes and procedures by defining and tracking metrics, performing trending analysis, and ensuring the effectiveness of quality activities within the software development teams.
• Collaborate with software development and engineering teams to integrate quality assurance practices throughout the agile software life cycle.
• Utilize requirements management tools and workflow systems to support traceability, verification, and validation of software requirements and changes.

Essential Skills

• At least 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance for human spaceflight applications.
• Demonstrated experience with AS 9100 audits and maintaining compliance with AS 9100 Rev D standards.
• Proven experience working with Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and supporting or maintaining a CMMI Level 3 rating in software development.
• Hands-on experience with JIRA or similar workflow tools for managing software issues, tasks, and changes.
• Working knowledge of software development in C and C++ programming languages.
• Experience using requirements management tools such as CRADLE, JAMA, or DOORS to manage, trace, and validate software requirements.
• Knowledge of agile software life cycle practices and their integration with quality assurance activities.
• Experience performing internal audits related to software development and quality management systems.
• Solid understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and their application in complex, safety-critical environments such as human spaceflight.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Deep familiarity with Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) principles and practices.
• Experience developing and presenting detailed quality assurance reports and assessments to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze quality metrics and trends to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey quality findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives within software development organizations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, program leadership, and customer teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite at a dedicated station facility, working closely with software development, engineering, and quality teams in a highly technical, safety-critical environment focused on human spaceflight. The work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and adherence to rigorous industry standards and certifications. Daily work involves using tools such as JIRA for workflow management and CRADLE, JAMA, or DOORS for requirements management, as well as engaging in audits, reviews, and cross-functional meetings. The setting is professional and structured, with processes designed to support continuous improvement and high reliability in software products.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/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 benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 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.