Aerospace Quality Engineer – Satellite / Flight Hardware (Part-Time Contract)

For more than 30 years, SQA Services has been a leader in providing managed supplier quality services — including audits, inspections, corrective actions, remediation, and engineering support — to manufacturers across regulated industries. We deploy experienced quality professionals across the United States and in over 90 countries to support client and supplier sites on demand.

SQA Services is seeking an Aerospace Quality Engineer to support a major aerospace satellite (space flight hardware) program. This role is a replacement position for an ongoing project that is now moving forward.

This is a 0.8 FTE contract role (approximately 32 hours per week / 4 days per week). The position requires a hands-on, floor-based QE with strong experience supporting flight hardware, WOAs, and quality oversight in production environments.

The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and experienced in major aerospace workmanship standards, capable of supporting documentation review, nonconformance management, and overall quality execution while the internal team ramps up.

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Key Responsibilities

• Provide on-the-floor quality engineering support for major aerospace satellite / space flight hardware production

• Review and validate Work Order Authorizations (WOAs), procedures, travelers, and internal documentation

• Ensure compliance with major aerospace workmanship standards, AS9100, and program requirements

• Review, document, and support disposition of nonconformances (NCRs)

• Support in-process, final, and first article inspections

• Identify risks, gaps, and potential quality escapes; take proactive corrective action

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to resolve issues

• Support quality system adherence, documentation control, and process improvement

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Quality Engineer supporting aerospace or space flight hardware

• Direct experience working on satellite or major aerospace -related programs

• Experience supporting actuators, gas generators, or mortar systems

• Strong hands-on experience with WOAs, travelers, procedures, and NCRs

• Working knowledge of NASA workmanship standards, including:

• IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001

• IPC-620 w/ Space Addendum or NASA-STD-8739.4

• NASA-STD-8739.1B

• Comfortable working on the manufacturing floor with flight hardware

• Strong understanding of AS9100 and aerospace quality systems

• Strong communication and documentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or prior major aerospace workmanship certifications (training can be provided if experience aligns)

• Experience supporting satellite subsystems, propulsion components, or flight assemblies

• Familiarity with risk analysis, root cause analysis, and corrective actions (RCCA, FMEA)

• Experience working in high-visibility or recovery/stabilization environments

• Familiarity with environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, EMC)

\n$50 - $60 an hour

50% hourly rate for any travel time ("p2p")

Mileage reimbursement at the US gov't rate ($0.72 per mile driven). Untaxed.

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Note:

SQA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications, and is not influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.​

This position requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data and/or defense articles. As such, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants who do not meet these criteria will not be considered for this role.