Product Quality Engineer; PDS​/Thruster​/PPU​/Program

Exo Terra 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 s role is based in Littleton, Colorado.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…