Head of Quality (Aerospace)

Location: Houston, United States; onsite attendance is required and remote work is not an option.

Company

Human space exploration company developing commercial spaceflight services, orbital infrastructure, and advanced spacesuits.

What you will do

• Own and evolve the company-wide quality management system in compliance with AS9100 Rev D and applicable FAA/EASA regulations.
• Define quality strategy and standards across design, manufacturing, field operations, and customer programs.
• Lead the quality organization, including hiring, coaching, development, and performance management.
• Represent quality in third-party, regulatory, DCMA, customer, and NADCAP audits.
• Drive metrics-based improvement using OTD, escape rate, DPPM, and cost of poor quality measures.
• Escalate critical NCRs, field escapes, and MRB dispositions while advising executive leadership on quality, compliance, and risk.

Requirements

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering; an M.S. or MBA is preferred.
• At least 12 years of quality engineering and leadership experience in aerospace or defense, including leadership of quality organizations of 15 or more people.
• Deep expertise in AS9100, NADCAP, FAR/DFAR, and DAL/DO-178 as applicable.
• Experience serving as an AS9100 or comparable certification management representative and managing DCMA or FAA oversight relationships.
• Executive-level communication skills, including presentations to C-suite stakeholders and customers.
• Export-controlled technical data access may require U.S. export control screening under NASA regulations, ITAR, or EAR; meeting the eligibility requirements is a condition of employment.

Nice to have

• CQE or CQM/OE certification from ASQ.
• Familiarity with enterprise-level ITAR/EAR compliance obligations.

Culture & Benefits

• Mission-driven environment focused on commercial human spaceflight and space infrastructure.
• Leadership values include accountability, innovation, technical rigor, execution discipline, and teamwork.
• Office-based work environment with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends may be required during critical project milestones.