Description
We are looking for a seasoned quality leader to build and run our Quality Assurance function in a defense and aerospace environment. As Senior Manager of Quality Assurance & Mission Assurance, you will own the day-to-day execution of our Quality Management System, lead a team of quality professionals, and serve as the primary interface with program management, engineering, manufacturing, and DCMA representatives.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has implemented quality systems, driven compliance programs, and managed teams in high-stakes hardware environments. You will be expected to establish the standards, processes, and culture that ensure we consistently deliver quality products to our customers — and that our organization is always audit-ready.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Team Leadership
Lead and develop a team of quality engineers and inspectors, setting clear expectations and driving accountability
Provide hands-on coaching, training, and mentorship on quality standards, tools, and procedures
Manage workload allocation across the team to support program schedules and priorities
Report program quality status to senior leadership and program management on a regular cadence
Mission Assurance & Program Quality
Assure quality, risk management, safety, reliability, and maintainability across programs, subcontractors, and suppliers in accordance with contractual requirements
Assess program performance and risks; determine and deploy resources to ensure mission assurance objectives are met
Maintain comprehensive quality metrics and dashboards, incorporating customer and employee feedback to assess performance and drive decisions
Collaborate with program managers, engineering leads, and DCMA representatives on scheduling, operational decisions, and contractual clarifications
Product & Integration Quality Engineering
Partner with manufacturing engineering, production, and design engineers to support the quality of production processes for components such as sensors, PCBAs, cables, wiring harnesses, actuators, machined parts, and structures
Work cross-functionally to define and execute product build and inspection requirements that meet customer quality standards
Lead the Non-Conformance Review (NCR) process: contain defects, drive corrective actions, and manage KPIs.
Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations, manage Material Review Board (MRB) activities, and own containment strategies for prototype and production builds
Support incoming inspection processes, integration quality documentation, planning, and effectiveness metrics
QMS, Compliance & Audit Readiness
Ensure all QMS and AS9100 practices are implemented, maintained, and followed across the organization
Develop the organization to a continuous state of audit readiness for internal, customer, and third-party audits
Oversee quality inspections of incoming materials, in-process components, and finished products
Maintain and update quality documentation including inspection plans, reports, control charts, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Drive the development and maintenance of End Item Data Packages (EIDPs)
Ensure compliance with all applicable quality certifications and regulatory standards
Continuous Improvement
Support the implementation and execution of Continuous Improvement programs across manufacturing and engineering
Identify recurring quality issues and champion cross-functional resolution to root cause and corrective actions
Support the development of inspection systems and quality planning in partnership with development engineers
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
10+ years of quality assurance/engineering experience in defense, aerospace, or a similarly regulated hardware environment
3+ years managing or leading a quality team, with direct supervisory responsibility
Hands-on experience implementing and maintaining AS9100-compliant QMS
Demonstrated experience with NCR/MRB processes and RCCA methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or equivalent)
Familiarity with DCMA oversight processes and experience interfacing with DCMA representatives
Strong working knowledge of hardware quality disciplines: incoming inspection, in-process inspection, integration quality, and acceptance testing
Experience developing and maintaining quality documentation, EIDPs, and SOPs
Proven ability to work cross-functionally and communicate clearly with engineering, manufacturing, and program leadership
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Experience supporting defense program types (CPFF, FFP, T&M) and their associated quality obligations
Background in developing quality systems for avionics, sensors, and aerospace hardware or similar
Familiarity with MIL-SPEC, AS9100, or CMMI quality frameworks
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or Six Sigma Black Belt
Senior Manager Quality & Mission Assurance Salar: $120,000 - $165,000 USD
ITAR Requirements: ...
Benefits: ...
Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Company
Turion Space develops scalable, software-defined space infrastructure by integrating mission planning, satellite bus, propulsion, and ground-segment software into a single platform. Its StarfireOS and DROID software layers support fleet management, simulations, deployment, and on-orbit operations. The company has acquired Tychee Research Group to integrate the Tychee Mission Planning Library (TMPL) into Starfire, and it reports government and commercial contracts as revenue sources. Turion is based in Southern California and emphasizes vertical integration and software-defined space infrastructure.
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