Hardware Quality Assurance Engineer II

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Job Description 

Quality Assurance Engineers collaborate with organizations that design, build, assemble, test, deliver, and operate unprecedented robotic space missions in support of NASA’s vision. Our organization minimizes project risk by ensuring mission stakeholders have the tools, processes, and support needed to deliver hardware as intended and maintain quality throughout the project lifecycle.

As an HQA Engineer and Facilitator, you will be a member of the Procurement Quality Assurance Group (1123), supporting the Training, Tools, Technology, and Tracking (4T) sub‑team. Your primary responsibility will be facilitation of Hardware Record Certification Reviews (HRCRs) and Support Equipment Certification Reviews (SECRs). In this role, you will coordinate review preparation, set up project reviews structures, coordinate and facilitate review meetings, documenting discussions, and tracking action items through mission Launch. You will partner with HQA Leads, Mission Assurance Management, Cognizant Engineers, and project personnel to ensure delivery reviews are executed smoothly and consistently across stakeholders. You will interact with project leadership and industry partners through training, collaboration, and coordination, assisting teams with understanding expectations and supporting closure of action items to maintain project schedule.

In addition to facilitation duties, you will perform Hardware Quality Assurance Level II activities as appropriate, such as assuring Quality Assurance requirements (e.g. verifying mandatory inspection points, applicable workmanship standards, electro-static discharge control standards, source inspection requirements, etc.) are implemented wherever the hardware is being built, conducting investigations of Additional Nonconforming Products or Corrective Actions, contributing to QA processes that span procurement, integration, and delivery. You will support process improvements through applications of quality tools (Lean Six Sigma, Control Charts, Pareto Charts, etc) that enable the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance practices, apply standard QA principles, and collaborate with senior QA engineers to ensure requirements are communicated and understood.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 3 years of related experience; or a Master’s degree in similar teams with a minimum of 1 year of related experience 

• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Quality Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering, Configuration Management, Supplier Management, Audits, Inspection techniques (non-destructive, electronics, mechanical), or Manufacturing processes. Understanding and wide application of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in the above areas in support of a large aerospace company. 

• Knowledge of applicable industry and standards in design, engineering, fabrication, integration, test and launch of space-flight hardware. 

• Demonstrate proficiency in both mechanical and electronic hardware assurance methods (inspection, test, analysis). 

• Experience in developing and maintaining Quality Assurance processes, plans and procedures. Understanding of risks and risk management approaches. 

• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write reports. 

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal and leadership skills. 

Desired additional qualifications for the position include

• Understanding of electronic/electrical/electromechanical, optical and mechanical manufacturing processes and associated inspection methods, understanding of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.), Process Variation, and Deming’s approach to Systems and experience in fabrication and inspection of ASICs hybrid microcircuits, MCMs, crystal oscillators and relays. 

• Previous experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer, manufacturing engineer, process engineer, test engineer, design engineer is a plus. 

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.