Lead Quality Engineer - Launch

Job Description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE As an end to end responsive space company Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch land and operate in space anywhere anytime Our small to medium lift launch vehicles lunar landers and orbital vehicles allow us to service the entire lifecycle of government and commercial missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond We utilize carbon composite structures patented propulsion technologies and common components across our vehicles to iterate quickly improve reliability and deliver payloads at a lower cost SUMMARY Quality Assurance owns the processes and tools by which Firefly identifies contains eliminates and prevents non conformances Quality is charged with defining and maintaining the processes and tools which prove product capabilities meet requirements and result in a predictably economical and reliable product The Firefly Quality Engineer is responsible for the development and maintenance of processes equipment and plans for inspection and acceptance of qualification and flight hardware and software products They are responsible for containment root cause analysis and corrective actions in addition to periodic auditing to ensure products are reliable and economical Verifying that all key performance and design characteristics are met prior to launch Quality Engineers play a critical role in ensuring mission success This position is located at our launch site in Vandenberg CA RESPONSIBILITIES Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams through product development and production to create quality plans for flight products including identification of key characteristics development testing for functionality and manufacturability first article and detailed inspection planning and consideration of past failures and lessons learnedLead the Quality Assurance Team in Vandenberg Quality Inspectors Quality SpecialistsSupport assigned shifts by coordinating resources resolving issues and ensuring alignment with daily and long term production objectivesManage and document effective shift handovers to ensure seamless communication production continuity and accountability between shiftsConduct daily pre shift readiness checks and support end of shift reviews to ensure smooth transition to incoming shiftsApprove PTO and timecards; manage Inspector schedules to support launch objectivesDevelop and maintain inspection plans on launch vehicle components sub assemblies fluids avionics structural and associated ground support equipmentDevelop and maintain equipment training and standard work instructions for detailed inspection programs which assure adherence to design specification and testing requirementsEnsure that all actions required for product acceptance are conducted accurately and efficiently in alignment with all customer requirements and regulatory standardsGenerate accurate records for traceability and pedigree of customer deliverable products including records of First Article InspectionIdentify and document non conformances affecting product reliability and launch efficiencyCollect track and trend launch data on first pass yield and non conformance issues performing basic statistical analysis on variable dataCollaborate with cross functional teams to investigate and resolve non conformance or quality issues including development and implementation of robust corrective actions to prevent recurrencesDevelop and execute quarantine plans to identify control and disposition all affected non conforming productMaintain tool control and calibration processes within assigned department including validation of metrology systemsPlan and perform periodic product and process audits to ensure compliance with Firefly Quality Management SystemImplement standards tools and methods to ensure the effectiveness of quality processes and sustain quality performance improvementsExecute projects and process improvements to reduce cost of poor qualityReview designs and provide feedback to mitigate manufacturability and inspection challengesReview procedures and launch metrics that impact quality and make necessary changes to ensure compliance with standards and requirements for mission successProvide research and interpretation of regulations and requirements to ensure compliance with external standardsParticipate in technical operations and offer guidance andor serve as an additional technical engineering resourceInitiate and execute plans to improve product quality reliability and inspection efficiencyApply 5S workplace organization \& follow the Lean initiativesSupport manufacturing compliance to customer and internal specifications to meet contractual and mission requirementsFrequent travel to Briggs TX for training and integrationtest familiarizationPerform other duties as assigned BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelors degree in mechanical industrial or electrical engineering or related discipline eg computer science mathematics physics chemistry8 years of hands on experience in a manufacturing launch quality andor design engineering roleDemonstrated ability to apply engineering fundamentals interpret technical information develop technical instructions and understand technical drawings specifications GD\&T and related quality control documentation and standardsExperience with standards andor equivalent quality military or government standards in the aerospace industrySchedule flexibility to support 1st and 2nd shift to meet launch demandsStrong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and writtenFlexibility regarding workflow and processExcellent organization skills Willingness to work with a team share expertise and follow instructions to accomplish established goals Desired Bachelors degree in aerospace mechanical industrial electrical engineering or related discipline eg computer science mathematics physics chemistry10 years of hands on experience in an aerospace manufacturing quality andor design engineering role2 years of leadership experience in an aerospace military or manufacturing environmentDemonstrated experience applying quality assurance principles methods and processes including inspection techniques equipment and tools used in quality controlComprehensive understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes materials and specificationsDemonstrated competency in structurescomposites electricalavionics and fluidspropulsion disciplinesFull capability to read and understand blueprints drawings GD\&T and Model Based DefinitionsKnowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles measurement systems analysis design of experiments statistical process control root cause analysis and corrective action advanced product quality planning APQP metrology process failure mode and effects analysis PFMEA control plans and various problem solving approachesDemonstrated experience with application of aerospace quality standards such as AS9100 or ISO 9001IPC Certification IPC J STD 001 IPC A 600 IPC A 610 IPC A 620 IPC 771121 and familiarity with NASA STD 87394Experience operating in and maintaining cleanroom per FS209E ISO 14644 1 or equivalentASQ CQE Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees including generous health dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles parental leave educational reimbursement short term disability and flexible PTO options To conform to US Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR you must be a US citizen lawful permanent resident of the US protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324ba3 or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the US Department of State Firefly Aerospace Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race color religion gender national originethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status