Company Overview

ExoTerra designs and manufactures the propulsion systems that move spacecraft farther, longer, and more efficiently. As a leader in electric propulsion, we develop and produce Hall thrusters, propulsion modules, microsatellites, and launch vehicle upper stages. We have been awarded multiple propulsion module and satellite contracts.

Position Summary

The Senior Product Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring quality performance across IRAD and production activities for assigned product hardware, including Propellant Distribution System (PDS), Thruster, Power Processing Unit (PPU), or Program quality support. This role serves as the quality subject matter expert (SME) for the assigned product line or program area, supporting both program execution and internal quality initiatives.

The position partners closely with program Quality Engineers, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to drive effective nonconformance management, corrective actions, production support, and continuous improvement. This role is based in Littleton, Colorado.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Serve as the Quality subject matter expert (SME) for assigned product group or program area across IRAD and production efforts

• Ensure quality performance and product compliance for assigned hardware, including PDS, Thruster, PPU, or Program-related products

• Partner with contract and program Quality Engineers to support program-specific nonconformances, quality requirements, and customer needs

• 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 the Quality Engineering team and provide backup coverage during absences or as business needs require

Nonconformance Management

• Manage Nonconformance Reports (NCs) for assigned product group or program area

• Create NCs when required to document product, process, or documentation issues

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to write dispositions and update NC records with investigation results

• Own NC documentation and maintain status awareness through closure

• Communicate NC status and quality concerns to necessary recipients in the preferred format

• Monitor NC activity over time to identify trends, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities

Corrective and Preventive Action

• Lead and support root cause investigations to identify systemic issues and drive effective corrective actions

• Create and manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to address NCs, audit findings, escapes, process failures, or recurring trends for assigned product group

• Own CAPA documentation and maintain status through closure

• Verify corrective action implementation and support effectiveness review activities as required

Production Support

• Support production activities for assigned product group or program area

• Review travelers, build records, and quality documentation; provide quality signoffs as required

• Address quality issues that arise during production, assembly, integration, testing, or inspection activities

• Provide Engineering Sign Off (ESO) approval support for assigned product group when required

• Support quality risk identification and escalation to ensure timely issue resolution and product compliance

Process Improvement and Training

• Analyze quality data and trends to identify risk areas and support continuous improvement initiatives

• Identify areas of opportunity and communicate improvement recommendations to appropriate stakeholders

• Develop or support training material to drive quality improvement and process understanding

• Promote lessons learned and continuous improvement across assigned product groups, programs, and Quality Engineering activities

• Continuously develop technical understanding of the assigned product group or program area

• Perform additional duties as assigned by management

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline

• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing quality, engineering, or aerospace quality systems

• Experience managing nonconformances and corrective action processes in a regulated or manufacturing environment

• Demonstrated ability to lead or support root cause investigations and implement corrective actions

• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a production and/or engineering environment

• Strong understanding of quality management system principles, such as AS9100 or equivalent

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Candidates must be able to comply with federally mandated U.S. export control and ITAR requirements, which require proof that the candidate is a U.S. person

Preferred Qualifications

• PDS Quality Engineer: Understanding of fluidic engineering principles

• Thruster Quality Engineer: Understanding of electric propulsion systems

• PPU Quality Engineer: Understanding of electrical engineering principles

• Program Quality Engineer: Understanding of satellite systems and program execution

• Prior experience supporting aerospace or highly regulated manufacturing environments

• Demonstrated ability to act as a product line SME or technical quality lead

• Experience supporting production hardware, line replaceable units (LRUs), program quality requirements, or system-level quality activities preferred

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This position operates in a combination of office, laboratory, warehouse, manufacturing, and test environments

• Regular interaction with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Program personnel is required

• Frequent presence on the production floor may be necessary to support nonconformance investigations, traveler reviews, quality signoffs, production issues, audits, and improvement activities

• Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer and reviewing technical documentation, drawings, travelers, nonconformance records, and quality data

• Must be able to communicate effectively with employees, customers, suppliers, auditors, and regulatory representatives as required

• Ability to move throughout office, laboratory, manufacturing, warehouse, and test areas to support assigned duties

• Occasionally required to lift and carry items up to 25 pounds

• May be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, safety shoes, gloves, hearing protection, ESD protection, and other equipment as required by the work area

• Must be able to perform job duties in accordance with company safety policies and procedures

Export Control / Compliance Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary range: $110,000 – $135,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications)

ExoTerra offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package and various other benefits. When you join our team, you're not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ExoTerra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.