Mechanical QA Engineer

Job Summary

Role: Quality Engineer - Mechanical

Employment Type: Full Time

Educational Qualification: Bachelor's in mechanical, aerospace or industrial engineering

Work Experience: 4+ years of experience in a quality role with the Aerospace/Defense/Space Quality department. Experience working on space hardware is a plus.

As an integral Quality Assurance team member at Pixxel, the Quality Engineer ensures that all processes, systems, and components meet rigorous quality standards throughout the satellite's lifecycle. This role involves developing, implementing, and maintaining quality systems to embed reliability and compliance within the design, manufacturing, and testing phases.

The Quality Engineer will actively address and resolve quality issues for the mechanical subsystem, including quality control of processes (like AIT, and environmental testing), performing root-cause analysis and driving corrective actions to prevent recurrence. This position collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, supply chain and production, to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and high-performance products aligned with Pixxel's objectives and industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quality assurance and control for subsystems (structural, thermal, propulsion, and optomechanical systems) during development phases (including technical reviews) and production phases (including assembly, integration, and testing of satellites)
• Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams, ensuring quality oversight, identifying and escalating issues, and promoting compliance with specifications and standards.
• Liaise across subsystems to standardize organizational processes, manuals, and continuous improvement practices.
• Manage non-conformance dispositions, communicate with suppliers regarding issues, and escalate corrective actions as required.
• Define quality processes and inspection requirements, ensuring documentation, adherence, and compliance.
• Document and assist in risk management, including quantitative assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Conduct inspections of incoming materials, in-process assemblies, and finished products to meet specifications.
• Execute Measurement Systems Analysis and manage calibration and compliance.
• Participate in Internal and External quality reviews and audits.
• Analyze internal and external quality data to identify and act on opportunities for improvement.
• Support the development of an approved supply chain by identifying and evaluating suppliers with engineering and supply chain teams.
• Drive supplier improvement initiatives for consistent quality and performance enhancement.

Desirable Skills Certifications

• Proficiency in aerospace quality standards (AS9100, ISO 9001) and regulatory compliance.
• Background in quality assurance of aluminum machined components, sandwich pane fabrication, metal 3D printing, and other manufacturing processes and methodologies.
• Familiarity with thermal control systems and their implementations (like Temperature sensors, Heaters, multi-layer insulations, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of GDT, reading engineering drawings.
• Understanding precision inspection methods using mechanical and programmable instruments (CMMs, VMM) for supplier review.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to address and resolve issues.
• Proven experience in supplier evaluation, auditing, development, and performance metrics management.
• Expertise in quality tools and methodologies: Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Preventive Action Planning, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Control Plans.

Candidate Acumen

A strong desire to work in a high-growth, fast-paced startup environment, with a passion for space technology and a collaborative mindset.

Disclaimer: This job posting has been aggregated from external source. Role details, content, and availability are subject to change. Applicants are advised to confirm the latest information directly on the company website before applying.