NorthwoodSpace

Head of Quality & Reliability

Torrance, CA

Work authorization requiredDetected 48 days ago

CybersecurityProduct ManagementProcess ImprovementMechanical DesignAerospace EngineeringElectrical EngineeringLeadershipCommunication

About the role

If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.
Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise.

Build, implement, and continuously improve the company Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance, scalability, and operational excellence
Lead the achievement and maintenance of AS9100 certification, including audits, compliance activities, training, and continuous improvement initiatives
Own core quality processes, including document control, configuration management, nonconformance management, CAPA, and audit readiness
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, and Production teams to embed quality and reliability throughout the product lifecycle
Develop and implement quality plans, process controls, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality strategies that support reliable product delivery
Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement efforts to reduce defects, improve yields, and enhance process capability
Develop and execute the company's reliability strategy, including qualification testing, reliability growth, failure analysis, and risk mitigation methodologies.
Drive implementation of reliability engineering best practices, including FMEA, FRACAS, fault analysis, and lifecycle risk management
Build and lead a high-performing Quality & Reliability organization while serving as a trusted cross-functional leader balancing product integrity, operational efficiency, and execution speed

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline
8+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or reliability engineering
3+ years of experience leading teams or owning major cross-functional quality initiatives
Experience operating in high-reliability industries (aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, etc.)

Experience in high-growth startup or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments
Experience leading organizations through AS9100 certification or major QMS transformations
Background spanning both technical and operational roles, including quality, manufacturing engineering, or operations leadership
Hands-on experience with RF, PCBA, custom enclosures, or electromechanical assemblies, or other complex hardware systems
Additional Requirements:
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role.
Should you be unable to obtain it, Northwood Space reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with optional needs.

Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data.
Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood.
In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long-term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses.
Benefits include equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, flexible time off, 10 or more paid holidays per year, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology.
We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response.
With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions.
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment

This listing is sourced directly from NorthwoodSpace's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.