Quality Manager (NASA LTVS Contingent)
Astrolab
Quality Assurance
hawthorne, ca, usa
USD 130k-195k / year
Posted on Sep 26, 2025
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
The Quality Manager (Hardware and Process) will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust quality control strategy, ensuring the highest standards of reliability in our lunar rover projects.
- Department
- Production & Test
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Hawthorne, California
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $130,000 - $195,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Graham Bogda
What You'll Do:
- Ownership of the hardware non-conformance handling process and physical implementation on the shop floor.
- Define inspection processes and procedures for receiving, work in progress, and closeout activities to ensure quality throughout all stages of the product life cycle.
- Development and training of quality inspectors and quality engineers.
- Management of the Material Review Board process, as well as physical implementation and continuous improvement.
- Develop and implement metrology and calibration standards, train and maintain calibrated tools and instruments.
- Drive continuous improvement of Astrolab FOD and ESD programs and training.
- Design for Quality (DfX) contributions from concept through design reviews (DCR, PDR, CDR).
Key supporter of these areas:
- AS9100 certification maintenance
- Root cause problem solving
- Supplier quality audit processes, including support of on-site inspections and audits.
- Quality data and records management
- Developmentof internal design, construction, and verification specifications
- Configuration management and traceability training
- Development of build and test standards and processes
- Hands-on build and inspections of flight hardware
What’s Prepared You:
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field; master's degree or relevant certifications are a plus
- 5+ years’ experience in spaceflight programs; preferred experience with NASA projects.
- 5+ years’ of experience in build reliability, quality assurance, or quality control; preferred experience with mechanisms, avionics, and vehicle integration.
- Expert in root cause problem solving across the product life cycle.
- Deep understanding of industry and NASA mechanical and avionics standards.
- Experience in Design for Manufacturing, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing of parts, and inspection techniques.
- Experience with safety regulations and establishing best practices.
- High proficiency with JIRA, MES software, and Excel.
- Preference to candidates with experience using CAD software.
- Preference to candidates with people management experience – particularly with experience managing quality inspectors and specialists.
- Preference to candidates with a working understanding of SMC-S-016 standard.
- Preference to candidates with a working understanding of NASA 8739.6 workmanship requirements.
- Preference to candidates with experience in NDE techniques for metallics
Additional Responsibilities
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
What We Offer:
- Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Ownership in the company
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with matching
- Flexible time off and parental leave
- On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches
- Flexible work environment
About Astrolab
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…
Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.
Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.
Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.
Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.
Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Stage 3:
Video Interviews
Stage 4:
On-site Interview
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.
