Supplier Quality Manager

Axiom Space; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space is seeking a bold Supplier Quality Manager to build a Center of Excellence for supplier quality. You will hire and develop engineers and analysts, own supplier qualification, audits, and corrective actions, and ensure AS9100 compliance for spaceflight hardware.

You will partner across Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, and Manufacturing to drive quality, safety, and reliability in a rapidly evolving commercial space program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field.
• 8+ years in aerospace/defense quality with at least 3 years in supplier quality.
• Experience with AS9100, AS9102, NADCAP.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and managing SCAR/MRB.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving (8D, 5-Why).
• Excellent communication and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification, approval, and requalification processes.
• Maintain Approved Supplier List and ensure flight hardware sourcing from approved sources.
• Define supplier quality clauses and inspection/test requirements.
• Plan and conduct supplier/process/product audits and source inspections.
• Drive supplier development and corrective action programs.
• Analyze supplier data to drive systemic improvements.
• Communicate project status and risks to stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Leadership

Cross-functional collab

Adaptability

Education

Bachelors in Engineering or related field

Job description

OVERVIEW

Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station –Axiom Station. Serving as a cornerstone for sustained human presence in space, this next-generation orbital platform fosters groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity, and cultivates the vibrant, global space economy of tomorrow. Today, driven by the vision of leading humanity’s journey off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercialhuman spaceflightservices to the International Space Station and developer ofadvanced spacesuitsfor the Moon and low-Earth orbit. Axiom Space is building era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.

Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Supplier Quality Manager who is fueled by high ownership, execution horsepower, growth mindset, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a resilient, high-energy, experienced Supplier Quality Manager who to lead and serve as an organization builder establishing a Supplier Quality Center of Excellence (COE) as the company’s single source of truth for supplier quality. This role hires, coaches, and develops a high-performing team of supplier quality engineers and analysts, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous learning. The Supplier Quality COE owns supplier qualification, the approved supplier list, requirements flow-down, audits, performance scorecards, and corrective action to ensure space flight hardware meets the quality, reliability, and traceability demands of the mission. By partnering with Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Programs, this leader ensures the organization is a proactive, data-driven organization while supporting AS9100 certification and customer audit readiness.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the supplier qualification, approval, and requalification process, including risk-based assessment of capability, quality system maturity, financial and delivery stability, and special process control
• Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL) and ensure purchases of flight and critical hardware are placed only with approved sources
• Assign supplier risk tiers and define the oversight level (survey, audit frequency, source inspection) appropriate to each tier
• Verify supplier certifications and accreditations (AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, ISO/IEC 17025) and monitor expiration and status
• Review purchase orders and technical data packages with Procurement and Engineering to ensure quality, specification, and regulatory requirements are correctly flowed down
• Define supplier quality clauses, inspection and test requirements, first article requirements (AS9102), and certificate of conformance expectations
• Plan and conduct supplier audits and process audits (system, process, and product), and lead or support special process and source inspection activities
• Oversee receiving inspection requirements and sampling plans in coordination with the receiving inspection team, adjusting inspection levels based on supplier performance
• Set priorities and manage workload across supplier audits, SCARs, supplier scorecards, and source inspection
• Analyze supplier quality data and trends to drive systemic improvements and reduce escapes at receiving and downstream
• Develop and mature the supplier quality procedures and QMS documentation for supplier control (AS9100 clause 8.4)
• Drive supplier development initiatives and share lessons learned across the supply base
• Communicating project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership
• Implementing and maintaining agile project management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle
• Perform additional job duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 8+ years of quality experience in aerospace, space, defense, or similarly regulated manufacturing, including at least 3 years in supplier quality.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 supplier control requirements and AS9102 First Article Inspection.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and managing supplier corrective action (SCAR) and MRB processes.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Proven root cause analysis and problem-solving skills (8D, 5-Why, fishbone, fault tree).
• Strong communication, negotiation, and influence skills with suppliers and cross-functional leaders.
• Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Uses good judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges
• Proven to deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines

Core Skills

• Passion for space and the mission
• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset
• High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally
• Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster

Core Competencies:

Embody our core values of leadership , innovation , and teamwork. In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Accountability
• Technical Rigor
• Execution Discipline
• Pride of Delivery

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Requirements

• This position may require access to export controlled technical data or technology subject to NASA regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In accordance with U.S. export control laws, final candidates may be required to undergo additional export control screening to determine eligibility for access. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment.
• Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones

Physical Requirements

• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time)
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time)
• Equipment and Machines
• Standard office equipment (PC, phone, printer, etc.)

Axiom Space is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Axiom Space does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.