Quality Engineer III; Spacecraft

Job Summary

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Quality Engineer to develop and maintain inspection and acceptance processes for qualification and flight hardware and software. The role combines technical leadership with quality assurance, ensuring all key performance and design characteristics are met prior to launch. This position is located at the Spacecraft Integration facility in Leander, TX.

• Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams to create quality plans for flight products, including identification of key characteristics, development of testing for functionality and manufacturability, and first‑article and detailed inspection planning.
• Develop and maintain inspection plans for spacecraft electrical/avionics components and sub‑assemblies (fluids, avionics, structural).
• Develop and maintain equipment, training, and standard work instructions for detailed inspection programs that ensure adherence to design, specification, and testing requirements.
• Conduct product acceptance actions accurately and efficiently, aligning with all customer requirements and regulatory standards.
• Generate traceability records, including first‑article inspection documentation.
• Lead and support Quality Inspectors on workflow priority, inspection process efficiency, and best‑practice methodologies.
• Identify, document, track, and trend non‑conformances affecting product reliability and production efficiency.
• Perform basic statistical analysis on variable data related to first‑pass yield and non‑conformance issues.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to investigate and resolve quality issues, including development and implementation of corrective actions.
• Develop and execute quarantine plans for non‑conforming product control and disposition.
• Maintain tool control and calibration processes, including validation of metrology systems.
• Plan and conduct periodic product and process audits to ensure compliance with the Firefly Quality Management System.
• Implement standards, tools, and methods to improve the effectiveness of quality processes and sustain performance improvements.
• Execute projects and process improvements to reduce the cost of poor quality.
• Review designs and provide feedback to mitigate manufacturability and inspection challenges.
• Review procedures and production metrics that impact quality and propose necessary changes for compliance with standards and mission success.
• Provide research and interpretation of regulations and requirements to ensure compliance with external standards.
• Participate in technical operations and offer guidance or serve as an additional technical engineering resource.
• Initiate and execute plans to improve product quality, reliability, and inspection efficiency.
• Apply 5S workplace organization and support Lean initiatives.
• Support manufacturing compliance with customer and internal specifications to meet contractual and mission requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, industrial, electrical engineering or related discipline (e.g., computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry).
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, and/or design engineering roles.
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering fundamentals, interpret technical information, develop technical instructions, and understand technical drawings, specifications, GD&T, and quality control documentation.
• Experience with aerospace industry standards and/or equivalent quality, military, or government standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal abilities.
• Flexibility regarding workflow and process changes.
• Excellent organization skills with willingness to work in a team, share expertise, and follow instructions to accomplish established goals.
• Demonstrated experience applying quality assurance principles, including inspection techniques, equipment, and tools used in quality control.
• Comprehensive understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and specifications.
• Competency in structures/composites, electrical/avionics, and fluids/propulsion disciplines.
• Full capability to read and understand blueprints, drawings, GD&T,…