Head of Quality & Mission Assurance

Role Overview:

Build and lead the integrated Quality & Mission Assurance (QMA) function that owns end-to-end quality processes across the full product lifecycle. Ensure every Astrobase product — engine, stage, avionics, and ground systems — is build-worthy, test-worthy, and flight-worthy across multiple reuse cycles. Drive quality as a velocity enabler through strong process ownership in Product, Manufacturing, Assembly, and Test/Flight stages.

Key Responsibilities

Product Quality (Design & Development Stage)

Own quality processes from concept through design baselining.

• Propulsion, structures, avionics, software, and ground systems requirements verification and traceability.
• Design reviews (PDR/CDR), FMECA, hazard analysis, and configuration baseline establishment.
• Material & component qualification (cryogenic compatibility, EEE parts, additive manufacturing).

Manufacturing Process Quality

Own all manufacturing and special process quality.

• Qualification and control of additive manufacturing, welding, brazing, machining, composites, and PCB fabrication.
• NDE program ownership (CT, X-ray, UT, PT) under ASNT Level III.
• Process procedure qualification, technician certification, and first-article inspection.
• Supplier quality engineering, audits, lot acceptance, and counterfeit prevention (AS6081).
• Conduct & Own Process reviews at different stages of manufacturing and ensure quality of production

Assembly & Integration Quality

Own assembly, integration, and cleanliness processes.

• Precision assembly of engines, stages, avionics, harnesses, and ground systems.
• IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001 workmanship standards, conformal coating, and cable/harness quality.
• Oxygen/methane cleanliness control (MIL-STD-1330 / ISO 14644) and contamination prevention.
• As-built configuration verification and serialized pedigree tracking.
• Conduct & Own Assembly process reviews and ensure assembly quality

Test / Flight & Operations Quality

Own test, reusability, and operational quality processes.

• Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) gating for all hot-fire, structural, environmental, and integrated tests.
• Post-test inspection (NDE, borescope), anomaly resolution (PTR, MRB, FRB), and data integrity.
• GSE, propellant loading systems, launch infrastructure, and range operations quality.
• Reusability loop: post-test teardown, life-limited parts tracking, refurbishment acceptance, and closed-loop feedback.
• Flight software & firmware V&V (DO-178C / NPR 7150.2).

Cross-Cutting Responsibilities

• Gated Reviews & Configuration Control: Conduct and gate all critical reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, PTR). Own the Configuration Control Board (CCB), as-designed/as-built/as-tested traceability, ECN/ECO approval, and PLM/MES digital backbone.
• Reliability Engineering: FMECA, reliability growth, Weibull analysis, and FRACAS across all stages and disciplines.
• Data & Digital Quality: Drive first-pass yield, defect density, scrap rate, and CAPA cycle time KPIs with single-source-of-truth traceability.
• Organizational Build-Out: Recruit and mentor a dual-discipline team covering all four stages. Establish scalable AS9100D-aligned QMS tailored to rapid iteration.

Qualification

• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics, or Systems Engineering (advanced degree preferred).
• 15+ years aerospace Systems Reliability, Quality Control & Assurance experience, including 5+ years leading cross-disciplinary quality across full lifecycle in launch vehicles or high-reliability aerospace systems.
• Proven success standing up/scaling QMS in NewSpace/fast-iteration environments.

Key Attributes

• Deep expertise in high precision space launch systems and rocket engine systems quality
• Experience in Avionics and software quality, including Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS) and Software-in-the-Loop Simulation (SILS) testing, integration, and validation.
• Cryogenic & oxygen systems QA, pressure-vessel codes.
• DO-178C / DO-254 / NPR 7150.2, IPC standards, MIL-STD-810/461/883.
• ASNT Level III (preferred), EIA-649 configuration management, FMECA & reliability tools.

Leadership

• Strong process ownership mindset with ability to hold hardware/tests under pressure while enabling velocity.
• Translate quality across machinists, design engineers, assembly teams, test engineers, and firmware specialists.
• Build a proactive quality culture measured by configuration integrity, first time right approach.