Staff Product Quality Engineer (PDS / Thruster / PPU / Program)

TriNet Group; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Paid time off

Health benefits

Job summary

ExoTerra, a leader in solar electric propulsion and space systems, is seeking a Staff Product Quality Engineer based in Littleton, Colorado. You will own quality performance at the program level for hardware such as PDS, Thruster, and PPU, interfacing with customers and program leadership to drive nonconformance, CAPA, and continuous improvement at scale.

You will mentor Quality Engineering team members, ensure AS9100 compliance, and coordinate across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in quality engineering, aerospace, or manufacturing quality systems.
• Experience owning quality at the program level with customer interface.
• Proven ability to lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in production/engineering environments.
• Strong AS9100 or equivalent quality system knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ITAR export control awareness.

Responsibilities

• Own quality performance at the program level for assigned hardware.
• Interface with program leadership and external stakeholders on quality matters.
• Lead NC management, disposition decisions, and customer notifications.
• Drive CAPA strategy and effectiveness reviews across programs.
• Provide production quality support and signoffs on documentation.
• Develop and deliver quality training, data analysis, and improvements.

Skills

Quality leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

AS9100 knowledge

Root cause analysis

Customer interface

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

ExoTerra is a world leader in solar electric propulsion systems and space exploration satellites. The company develops Hall Thrusters, propulsion modules, microsatellites and launch vehicle upper stages. We have been awarded multiple propulsion module and satellite contracts.

Position Summary

The Staff Product Quality Engineer is responsible for owning quality performance at the program level for assigned product hardware and major initiatives, including Propellant Distribution System (PDS), Thruster, Power Processing Unit (PPU), or cross-functional Program quality support. This role serves as the senior quality subject matter expert (SME) for the assigned product line or program area, driving quality strategy, customer interface, and program execution.

The position leads quality activities across multiple programs or product lines, interfacing directly with customers and stakeholders on quality matters. This role partners with program leadership, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to drive effective nonconformance management, corrective actions, production support, quality risk management, and continuous improvement at scale. This role is based in Littleton, Colorado.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the senior Quality subject matter expert (SME) for assigned product group or program area across IRAD and production efforts.
• Own quality performance and product compliance at the program level for assigned hardware.
• Interface directly with, program leadership, and external stakeholders on quality matters, requirements, and issue resolution.
• Lead quality strategy development and execution for assigned programs or product lines.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program teams to ensure alignment on quality expectations, product requirements, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 requirements, internal procedures, customer requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Support and mentor Quality Engineering team members; provide guidance on complex quality issues and escalations.

Nonconformance Management

• Own and oversee Nonconformance Report (NC) management for assigned programs or product groups.
• Lead disposition decisions for complex or high-impact nonconformances; coordinate customer notifications and approvals as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to write dispositions and update NC records with investigation results.
• Own NC documentation and maintain status awareness through closure; ensure timely resolution of program-critical issues.
• Communicate NC status, quality metrics, and quality concerns to program leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
• Monitor NC activity across programs to identify trends, systemic issues, and improvement opportunities.

Corrective and Preventive Action

• Lead root cause investigations for complex or program-critical issues; drive effective corrective actions to resolution.
• Own corrective and preventive action (CAPA) strategy for assigned programs; manage CAPAs to address NCs, audit findings, escapes, process failures, or recurring trends.
• Interface with customers on corrective action requirements, status, and closure evidence.
• Verify corrective action implementation and lead effectiveness review activities.
• Drive systemic improvements based on CAPA trends across assigned programs or product lines.

Production Support

• Lead production quality support for assigned programs or product groups.
• Review and approve travelers, build records, and quality documentation; provide quality signoffs as required.
• Lead resolution of complex quality issues that arise during production, assembly, integration, testing, or inspection activities.
• Provide Engineering Sign Off (ESO) approval support for assigned product groups.
• Own quality risk identification, assessment, and escalation for assigned programs; ensure timely issue resolution and product compliance.

Process Improvement and Training

• Analyze quality data and trends across programs to identify risk areas and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead improvement initiatives and communicate recommendations to program leadership and stakeholders.
• Develop training materials and lead training sessions to drive quality improvement and process understanding.
• Champion lessons learned and continuous improvement across programs and the Quality Engineering organization.
• Maintain deep technical understanding of assigned product groups and program areas.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• E4: 8+ years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing quality, engineering, or aerospace quality systems.
• Demonstrated experience owning quality at the program level, including customer interface and stakeholder management.
• Proven ability to lead root cause investigations and drive corrective actions to closure for complex or program-critical issues.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and quality initiatives in a production and/or engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of quality management system principles, such as AS9100 or equivalent.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interface effectively with customers and senior stakeholders.
• Candidates must be able to comply with federally mandated U.S. export control and ITAR requirements, which require proof that the candidate is a U.S. person.

Preferred Qualifications

• Program Quality Engineer: Deep understanding of satellite systems, program execution, and customer quality requirements.
• Significant experience supporting aerospace or highly regulated manufacturing environments at a senior level.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a senior product line SME or technical quality lead across multiple programs.
• Experience with customer quality audits, program reviews, and external stakeholder interface.
• Experience supporting production hardware, line replaceable units (LRUs), program quality requirements, or system-level quality activities at the program level.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This position operates in a combination of office, laboratory, warehouse, manufacturing, and test environments.
• Regular interaction with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Program personnel, customers, and external stakeholders is required.
• Frequent presence on the production floor may be necessary to support nonconformance investigations, traveler reviews, quality signoffs, production issues, audits, and improvement activities.
• Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer and reviewing technical documentation, drawings, travelers, nonconformance records, and quality data.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with employees, customers, suppliers, auditors, and regulatory representatives as required.
• Ability to move throughout office, laboratory, manufacturing, warehouse, and test areas to support assigned duties.
• Occasionally required to lift and carry items up to 25 pounds.
• May be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, safety shoes, gloves, hearing protection, ESD protection, and other equipment as required by the work area.
• Must be able to perform job duties in accordance with company safety policies and procedures.

Export Control / Compliance Requirements

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.

The good faith base salary range (OR hourly range) for this role is $135,000-$160,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

ExoTerra offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package and various other benefits.When you join our team, you’re not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ExoTerra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.