Quality Engineer II; Contractor

About the Role

SIERRA SPACE is seeking a motivated and solution-oriented Quality Engineer for the Dream Chaser spacecraft program. The ideal candidate will excel in a demanding, fast-paced, and evolving environment where they will work as a proactive member of the quality team, focusing on enabling production rather than traditional gatekeeping. This individual takes pride in thoroughness, follow-through, cross-organizational communication skills, and attention to requirements conformance while facilitating timely solutions.

Quality Engineers play a critical role in helping the team achieve the optimal balance between technical risk, cost, and schedule. Rather than simply enforcing standards, this position requires someone who can help lead thoughtful risk-based decisions, understand the broader program implications of quality issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to find solutions that maintain quality standards while supporting program objectives.

A successful candidate will recognize when perfect is the enemy of good enough and will help the team make informed decisions about when to accept appropriate risk and when to hold the line on quality requirements. This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance protocols and methods for processing materials into partially finished or finished products. Through a detailed understanding of the build processes and design requirements, this team member will be a key stakeholder in ensuring the Dream Chaser spacecraft achieves all quality objectives while maintaining program schedule and cost targets.

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission.

We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

• Design methods and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating the precision and accuracy of production processes, equipment, and finished products
• Oversee or conduct inspections and tests to ensure products meet quality standards and specifications
• Analyze data to identify trends and proactively recommend improvements in production processes and quality assurance protocols
• Contribute to innovative, time-saving, and cost-effective improvements to help streamline quality processes
• Monitor existing processes to develop tools and methods to reduce manufacturing build hours and quality issues, increase production rates, and remove waste from complex processes
• Work closely with manufacturing, engineering, planning, and procurement teams to address changes and shepherd them through fruition on the production floor
• Demonstrate thought agility and positive leadership when collectively solving build problems that require agreement across Design, Quality, and Manufacturing organizations
• Provide guidance to technicians, engineers, and other quality assurance personnel related to drawing and spacecraft requirements
• Serve as a bridge builder between departments, using strong interpersonal skills to influence without authority

• Document quality assurance activities and maintain accurate records
• Utilize knowledge of electrical and mechanical drawings along with familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Ensure compliance with IPC and NASA requirements
• Apply understanding of Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)
• Actively participate in Corrective Action Reports (CAR) with a focus on solutions rather than blame

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
• Typically 2+ years of related experience.
• Basic understanding of Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA).
• Basic Internal Audit Training.