Lead Quality Engineer
Loft Orbital
Quality Assurance
Golden, CO, USA
Posted on Sep 18, 2025
Wanna join the adventure?
Loft is seeking a detail-oriented, systems-minded Lead Quality Engineer to support the development and refinement of scalable quality systems across flight hardware, production, and supply chain operations. This role provides an opportunity to guide quality practices and act as a subject matter expert across multiple programs.
The Lead Quality Engineer will play a key role in shaping Loft’s quality approach across internal and external operations. Responsibilities will involve contributing to the evolution of our Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with AS9100 standards, supporting audits and nonconformance resolution, and helping to define inspection and quality checkpoints throughout the production and supply chain lifecycle.
This position will collaborate closely with engineering, AIT, production, and supply chain teams to help embed quality principles at each stage of the hardware lifecycle. This is a hands-on role that combines tactical support with long-term system development.
About the Role:
- Contribute to the development and ongoing refinement of Loft’s Mission Success roadmap
- Help maintain compliance with AS9100 (C/D/E) and internal policy requirements
- Support the creation, validation, and continuous improvement of quality processes and documentation
- Assist in tracking and resolving nonconformances using Loft’s DIRT process, including support for root cause analysis (RCA)
- Provide input on inspection procedures, acceptance criteria, and quality metrics
- Support internal audit activities and contribute to the development of supplier quality programs
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, AIT, production, inventory, finance, sales) to promote process alignment
- Participate in disposition reviews, corrective actions, and closure of quality issues
- Assist in defining quality gates and sign-off criteria for flight hardware
- Support configuration and inventory management activities from a quality perspective
- Help generate quality metrics and dashboards for team-wide visibility
- Identify recurring issues and support efforts to improve systemic quality and compliance
Must Haves:
- 8+ years in aerospace or manufacturing, with 3+ years in a quality engineering role.
- Strong technical understanding of product lifecycle, quality systems, and root cause tools.
- Deep knowledge of QMS standards, especially AS9100 (C/D/E) and quality frameworks.
- Experience with nonconformance tracking, corrective actions, and process improvement.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, standards, and manufacturing intent.
- Strong collaboration skills with experience working cross-functionally across engineering, supply chain, and production.
- Experience with supplier oversight and product quality accountability.
Nice to Haves:
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or similar industry certification.
- Experience with PFMEA, SPC, and quality gate implementation.
- Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards (IPC, ECSS).
- Direct experience with spacecraft, flight hardware, or subsystem testing.
- Experience conducting supplier audits or leading internal QMS updates.
Some of Our Awesome Benefits:
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
- Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
- 100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
- Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
- 401(k) plan and equity options
- Daily catered lunches and snacks
- International exposure to our team in France
- Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for primary caregiver and 10 weeks for secondary caregiver
- Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
- Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
- Relocation assistance when applicable
*Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes.
Who We Are
Loft Orbital builds “shareable” satellites, providing a fast & simple path to orbit for organizations that require access to space. Powered by our hardware & software products, we operate satellites, fly customer payloads onboard, and handle entire missions from end to end - significantly reducing the lead-time and risk of a traditional space mission.
Our standard interface enables us to fly multiple customer payloads on the same satellite, with capabilities such as earth imagery, weather & climate /science data collection, IoT connectivity, in-orbit demonstrations, and national security missions. Our customers trust us to manage their space infrastructure, so they can focus on what matters most to them: operating their mission and collecting their data.
At Loft, you’ll be given the autonomy and ownership to solve significant challenges, but with a close-knit and supportive team at your back. We believe that diversity and community are the foundation of an open culture. We are committed to hiring the best people regardless of background and make their time at Loft the most fulfilling period of their career.
We value kind, supportive and team-oriented collaborators. It is also crucial for us that you are a problem solver and a great communicator. As our team is international, you will need strong English skills to better collaborate, easily communicate complex ideas and convey important messages.
With 6 satellites on-orbit and a wave of exciting missions launching soon, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France.
As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.
