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Staff Quality Engineer

Terran Orbital Corporation

Terran Orbital Corporation

Quality Assurance
Irvine, CA, USA
USD 120k-140k / year
Posted on Nov 4, 2025

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Description

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Staff Quality Engineer to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Quality, the Staff Quality Engineer will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of a quality and reliability testing system for the plant's products and development process, primarily focusing on our module and vehicle process. As an integral contributor to the site quality vision, this role will contribute to the definition, execution, and deployment of the strategic quality plan in conjunction with the plant leadership team. The Staff Quality Engineer will execute and administer plant-wide quality management systems assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Key Point of Contact for Incoming Inspection and Module and Vehicle Kitting Inspection.
  • Developing and maintaining inspection metrics.
  • Manage MRB Dispositions to reduce overhead to the company.
  • Execute, maintain, and evolve the company's quality management systems in line with Terran Orbital strategy.
  • Develop and analyze data to determine whether current processes and procedures meet the finished product's proposed quality and reliability expectancy.
  • Assist in developing and implementing quality plans and processes for new customers, products, and technologies.
  • Develop and maintain effective proactive and preventative quality processes utilizing PPAP core elements (PFMEA, process flow and control plans, etc.) and CAPA and RCCA to drive product and process defect reductions.
  • Perform contract review on incoming customer orders and documentation and test data reviews for component, module, and vehicle assemblies.
  • Develop and implement processes in coordination with the Purchasing department to improve supplier quality performance.
  • Support team members engaged in production, inspection, and testing activities to ensure the consistent and repeatable delivery of conforming finished goods per customers’ requirements.
  • Manage the planning, promoting, and organizing of training activities across departments as required related to craft, product quality, and reliability.
  • Maintain and provide continuous improvement updates to the organization's quality assurance plan and QMS in coordination with the company's objectives and customer requirements.
  • Manage customer complaints regarding quality based on investigations and ensure the timely implementation of related preventative and corrective actions.
  • Promote awareness of strict compliance with all customer requirements and deliverables throughout the organization.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Systems Engineering or another related technical degree.
  • Minimum 8 years of experience in a quality function within a high-reliability manufacturing environment and at least 5 years of electronic experience.
  • Ability to review and understand high reliability (HI-REL) customer requirements and their potential implications on an existing process.
  • Strong methodology to investigate root cause and therefore provide effective corrective action to avoid reoccurrences.
  • Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of any non-conformity relating to the product, process, and quality system.
  • Able to identify and record any problems relating to the product, process, and quality system.
  • Ability to initiate, recommend, and provide solutions through designated channels.
  • Understanding of IPC Industry Standards, MIL-STD, and NASA craft acceptability guidelines.
  • Knowledge of machining, assembly operations, problem-solving, gauging, process capability, SPC, APQP, and quality management systems ISO and 9001 ASA9100.
  • Knowledge and experience with AIAG Core Tools (SPC, PFMEA, PPAP, APQP, MSA, QSA).
  • Preferred skills ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE,) Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Manager- Operational Excellence (CQM-OE), Six Sigma Greenbelt (CSSGB), ATEX, IECEx, and Metro certification audits.
  • Must have excellent visual acuity to perform detailed inspections and quality control tasks.
  • Ability to accurately distinguish a wide range of colors, which is essential for success in this role.
  • Must be a US citizen with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!

Salary Range
$120,000$140,000 USD

Benefits

  • 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
  • 401(k) Match
  • Flexible Time Off (FTO)
  • Education Reimbursement
  • Competitive Paid Parental Leave

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.

Work Environment

The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant 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. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.

Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.

And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.