Strong fit for aerospace materials engineers with 10+ years of experience who lead process development and thrive in collaborative, high-performance environments.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Quantum Space via Greenhouse
Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking an experienced Senior Materials and Process Engineer III to lead the development, qualification, and implementation of metallic materials and manufacturing processes for next-generation spacecraft structures, propulsion systems, and flight hardware. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in aerospace metallic materials, joining technologies, process qualification, and manufacturing development who thrives in a fast-paced environment supporting both hardware development and flight production.
You will work closely with propulsion, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering teams to select, qualify, and optimize metallic materials and manufacturing processes that enable reliable, high-performance spacecraft systems. This highly collaborative role combines technical leadership, hands-on engineering support, root cause analysis, and process development across the entire product lifecycle - from early development through flight production.
Where You’ll Make an Impact
Lead the selection, development, qualification, and implementation of metallic materials and manufacturing processes for spacecraft structures, propulsion systems, and flight hardware
Develop and qualify friction stir welding (FSW), welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, forming, additive manufacturing, and other metallic fabrication processes to support spacecraft production
Provide technical leadership for materials selection, compatibility assessments, and manufacturing process development across multidisciplinary engineering teams
Provide technical expertise in the optimization and qualification of friction stir welding, electron beam welding, laser welding, TIG welding, and other advanced joining processes for flight-critical hardware
Develop process specifications, material specifications, qualification plans, and manufacturing standards to support production and flight certification
Investigate material failures, manufacturing anomalies, and nonconformances using root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
Support design reviews by providing guidance on material selection, manufacturability, structural integrity, and production readiness
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to improve production efficiency, process capability, repeatability, and hardware quality
Support supplier qualification, material validation, and special process oversight to ensure compliance with aerospace standards
Define and oversee mechanical testing, metallurgical evaluations, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), and material characterization activities
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance manufacturing quality, reduce risk, and improve cost and schedule performance
Mentor junior engineers while serving as the technical authority for metallic materials and manufacturing processes
Support spacecraft development, qualification, and production efforts in a dynamic, fast-paced aerospace environment
What It Takes
Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
10+ years of experience supporting metallic materials engineering and manufacturing processes in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
Experience developing and qualifying friction stir welding (FSW), electron beam welding, laser welding, TIG welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, or other metallic manufacturing processes
Demonstrated expertise in metallic materials selection, qualification, and process development
Strong knowledge of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, and other aerospace metallic materials
Experience developing and qualifying welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, or other metallic manufacturing processes
Experience authoring material specifications, process specifications, qualification documentation, and engineering procedures
Strong understanding of metallurgy, fracture mechanics, corrosion, fatigue, and failure analysis principles
Experience performing root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions for manufacturing and material issues
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, material specifications, and aerospace manufacturing standards
Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Ability to lead technical efforts with minimal oversight while mentoring junior engineers
Nice-to-Have Experience
Master's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicle, propulsion, or other aerospace flight hardware programs
Experience developing welding procedures (WPS/PQR), process qualification, and production implementation for aerospace flight hardware using advanced joining technologies
Experience with pressure vessels, propulsion systems, cryogenic hardware, or aerospace structures
Familiarity with nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods including radiography, ultrasonic inspection, dye penetrant, and computed tomography
Experience supporting material qualification programs in accordance with NASA, DoD, MIL, ASTM, or aerospace industry standards
Experience with additive manufacturing qualification for metallic aerospace components
Experience working with suppliers to qualify special processes and improve manufacturing capability
Professional Engineer (PE) license or relevant industry certifications
What You’ll Get
Ownership – Lead the development and qualification of metallic materials and manufacturing processes supporting mission-critical spacecraft hardware.
Innovation – Help advance cutting-edge spacecraft manufacturing technologies that enable next-generation mobility and operations in space.
Impact – Drive the reliability, manufacturability, and performance of spacecraft systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial missions.
Growth – Join a collaborative engineering organization where you'll influence product development, manufacturing strategy, and technical excellence across multiple spacecraft programs.
Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing
Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA
Base Salary: Rockville, MD: $125,000 to $175,000, Hawthorne, CA: $135,000 to $185,000
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.
Additional Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.