Spacecraft Quality Lead - Hardware QA & Improvement Equity

Apex; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Company-paid healthcare

PTO starting at 15 days

401(k) with generous matching

Parental leave

Daily catered lunch

Office in Playa Vista

Childcare reimbursement

Job summary

Apex Space is seeking a highly skilled Spacecraft Quality Engineer to join our team in Los Angeles. You will ensure quality across hardware components from design to delivery, leading QMS initiatives and collaborating with design, manufacturing, and testing teams.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage supplier quality, and contribute to defining quality metrics and risk management in a fast-growing aerospace startup environment.

Qualifications

• U.S. Person status required to access export controlled data.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, or related field).
• 5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality assurance, or supply chain management.
• Proven experience with supplier evaluation, audits, and performance management.
• Knowledge of quality systems and standards (ISO 9001, AS9100).
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical process control (SPC).
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• ASQ CQE/CSQP Certification is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Lean Methodology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure spacecraft hardware components meet or exceed quality standards through rigorous testing, inspection, and validation process adherence.
• Lead the development and execution of QMS manuals, processes, inspection instructions and forms for hardware components and subsystems.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to identify and mitigate potential quality issues during the DFMA phase of product development.
• Support the development of engineering specifications and ensure alignment between design goals and quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, address and mitigate quality issues from production and testing phases to delivery.
• Collaborate with leadership in the development of quality metrics, Pareto charts and related tracking methods.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in hardware manufacturing processes, quality control systems, and operational procedures.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation, including test plans, inspection reports, failure analysis reports, and quality audits.
• Ensure proper risk management and compliance with industry standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, and other applicable space industry certifications.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with supplier performance and supply chain disruptions by partnering with supply chain leadership and providing objective evidence of supplier caused rework, repair and down time.
• Lead broad CAPA and specific RCCA efforts involving multidisciplinary teams using 8D, DMAIC and other QE tools as necessary.

Skills

Quality assurance

Data analysis

SPC

Project management

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

ISO 9001

AS9100

Lean Methodology

Job description

Apex Space is seeking a highly skilled Spacecraft Quality Engineer to join our team in Los Angeles. You will ensure quality across hardware components from design to delivery, leading QMS initiatives and collaborating with design, manufacturing, and testing teams.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage supplier quality, and contribute to defining quality metrics and risk management in a fast-growing aerospace startup environment.