Supplier Quality Engineer - Spacecraft Hardware

Please review the job details below.

Lanteris Space Systems/Intuitive Machines is seeking a motivated and skilled Supplier Manager/SQE. In this role, you will become the person accountable for ensuring that the supplier can produce the right product, to the required quality, on the required schedule, and in accordance with the contractual requirements. The position is responsible for the supplier from initial qualification through delivery. The one person having the complete picture, end-to end supplier performance! This is a remote position.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the overall relationship with assigned suppliers.
• Establish and track supplier schedule, quality, and delivery performance.
• Monitor supplier commitments and production readiness.
• Work with the Supplier to identify and manage supplier risks.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and executive escalations.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Engineering activities.
• Ensure suppliers meet contractual, engineering, and quality requirements.
• Perform supplier assessments and audits, manufacturing and quality processes.
• Lead supplier corrective actions and root-cause investigations and drive recovery plans when suppliers fall behind.
• Address nonconformances, escapes, and recurring quality issues.
• Review first-article/qualification activities and inspection requirements.
• Monitor quality metrics and drive continuous improvement.

Responsible for the 5 KPIs of the job position

• Supplier Performance — cost, quality, schedule, delivery
• Supplier Quality — compliance, audits, NCRs, corrective actions
• Supplier Development — process improvement and capability
• Supplier Risk — capacity, technical, manufacturing, and schedule risk
• Supplier Relationship & Escalation — supplier leadership and internal executive communication

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Manufacturing Quality, Quality Engineering, or Supplier Quality within aerospace, space, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 quality management requirements and aerospace manufacturing standards.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause investigations and corrective actions (RCCA/CAPA) using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa, or equivalent.
• Extensive experience with nonconformance management, Material Review Board (MRB), and disposition of manufacturing issues.
• Experience performing, reviewing, or approving First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, BOMs, manufacturing work instructions, and inspection requirements.
• Experience applying quality tools such as PFMEA/FMEA, SPC, control plans, process capability analysis, risk assessment, and inspection planning.
• Demonstrated ability to independently resolve complex manufacturing and quality issues throughout the design, production, integration, and test lifecycle.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Supplier Quality.
• Demonstrated technical leadership with the ability to mentor engineers and influence quality and manufacturing decisions across programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical risks, quality issues, and corrective actions to engineering and program leadership.
• Must be able to travel outside of the U.S. – 50% travel minimum
• Must have a home office available
• Must have reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of quality engineering experience with significant experience supporting spacecraft, satellite, aerospace, or defense hardware.
• Experience supporting hardware through prototype, qualification, production, integration, test, and flight delivery.
• Working knowledge of NASA, DoD, or other government/customer quality requirements.
• Experience with spaceflight hardware workmanship standards, including IPC/J-STD or NASA workmanship requirements.
• Experience supporting or leading customer, regulatory, and AS9100 audits.
• Experience with supplier quality, source inspection, supplier corrective actions, and supplier development.
• Demonstrated experience driving measurable improvements in first-pass yield, defect reduction, scrap/rework, escapes, and manufacturing process capability.
• Experience implementing quality requirements for new product introduction (NPI) and transitioning designs into production.
• ASQ certification such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent is a plus.
• Experience serving as the technical quality authority for complex aerospace hardware or spacecraft programs.

Salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions.

At the Staff level:

● The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $99,000.00 - $165,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within California is: $104,000.00 - $173,000.00 annually.

At the Sr. Staff level:

● The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $107,000.00 - $179,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $107,000.00 - $179,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $107,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $118,000.00 - $196,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within California is: $123,000.00 - $205,000.00 annually.

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings.  The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

● The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $99,000.00 - $165,000.00 annually.● The base pay for this position within California is: $104,000.00 - $173,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.  If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. 

The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

To apply, submit your application via the Lanteris Space Systems Career page.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.