Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

Position Summary

APT Research is hiring a Quality Assurance Engineer to support Starlab LLC Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Destination (CLD) in New Orleans, LA. This person will perform quality assurance mandatory inspection points (GMIPs), oversight/insight surveillances, and provide QAS support to U.S. suppliers. This effort will be focused on processing critical flight hardware, ground support equipment, and system integration.

APT is an employee‑owned engineering services company specializing in conducting safety and quality analyses for the U.S. Government. APT offers competitive salaries, advancement opportunities that match your professional development interests, and excellent benefits, including being voted as the best place for working parents.

• Work with a variety of systems such as mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pyros, and pneumatic.
• Perform inspections, surveillance, and requirement compliance while overseeing fabrication, assembly, test, and checkout of flight hardware and GSE.
• Perform assessments and process proofing of contractor’s operations, Quality Management System (QMS), work procedures, and operational processes to ensure products/services are produced per quality and engineering requirements.
• Generate and assign Nonconformance/Corrective Action Reports (NCR, DR, CAPA, CAR).
• Perform Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions.
• Provide support for all compliance procedures and policies under the Quality Assurance Plan.
• Read/interpret drawings, requirements, and specifications.
• Support the development of Starlab’s Quality Management System.
• Support internal/external auditing of Starlab suppliers.
• Evaluate adequacy, compliance, and effectiveness of the contractor’s QMS activities.
• Provide direct input to program quality management with respect to contractor performance.
• Perform acceptance of flight hardware/GSE, receiving inspections, and review of Acceptance Data Packs.
• Perform mandatory inspection points (MIPs), in‑line assessments, and track associated nonconformances.
• Support QAS to Quality Engineer teams with projects, surveillance(s), audits/assessments, and miscellaneous operational tasks as necessary.
• Address nonconformances and document technical issues.
• Identify quality/safety issues and potential concerns that need to be documented and addressed.

• Education:
  
  BA/BS or equivalent years’ experience.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum of 10 years of Quality Assurance/QMS experience.
• Background in aerospace industry or military experience.
• Familiarity with systems used in aerospace or aircraft vehicles.
• Quality auditor experience.
• Pressure systems familiarity.

• Must be able to receive secret clearance if needed.

• Quality background with experience in overseeing operations associated with complex systems (e.g., mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, etc.).
• Technical background with aerospace industry or military work experience and familiarity with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and other systems utilized on aircraft or aerospace vehicles/payloads. Military systems experience is desired.
• Ability to read/interpret drawings, requirements, and specifications.
• Experience with Nonconformance/Corrective Action Reports (NCR, DR, CAPA, CAR).
• IPC Specialist certification (Soldered Electrical & Electronic Assemblies).
• NASA Workmanship STD 8739 (or equivalent) training:
• Cable Harness and Crimp Inspection
• Surface Mount Soldering Inspection
• Through‑Hole Soldering Inspection
• Conformal Coating and Staking Inspection
• ESD Control
• Lithium Battery Handling
• Fiber Optic Terminations Inspection
• Ability to perform Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions.
• Familiarization with aerospace quality management systems.
• Internal/external supplier auditing.
• Experience monitoring/evaluating contractor processing activities.
• Clear, accurate, and concise communication and writing skills.
• Proficiency with personal computers, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and similar applications.
• Must be able to interact and develop excellent working relationships with various customers, peers, and management within and outside of Starlab S&MA.