Quality Engineer

Intuitive Machines•San Jose, CA

11d•$104,000 - $173,000

About The Position

Lanteris Space is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Quality Engineer for its Palo Alto/San Jose, California locations. This technical leadership role improves product quality, process performance, and operational effectiveness through quality engineering, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, statistical analysis, industrial engineering principles, and data-driven decision making. The role works across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Test, and Program Management to identify systemic risks, eliminate recurring defects, optimize processes, improve throughput, reduce variation, and strengthen quality at the source. The posting also describes the role as leading cross-functional improvement initiatives, providing technical expertise in quality engineering and problem solving, and advising functional leadership. The position supports manufacturing quality assurance, corrective action, process improvement, quality planning, and new product introduction. It also provides technical leadership, mentoring, and training to Quality Engineers and cross-functional teams. The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline and at least five years of related experience. The California base salary range is $104,000 to $173,000 annually. Starting pay depends on job-related factors, including experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Eligible employees are offered paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and a 401(k).

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, statistics, operations management, or a related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, or a related technical field.

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience in aerospace, defense, space systems, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality management system requirements and their practical application in engineering and manufacturing.
Experience with internal and supplier audits, including audit planning and execution, objective evidence, nonconformity identification, corrective action, and follow-up.
Experience supporting certification, surveillance, or customer audits and maintaining organizational audit readiness.
Experience with QMS documentation, document control, controlled procedures, work instructions, forms, records, and revision/version control.
Strong technical writing skills and experience developing, revising, and maintaining engineering, manufacturing, quality, or business documentation.
Experience with AS9145, APQP, FMEA, SPC, DOE, process capability, statistical analysis, and other advanced quality planning and process improvement methodologies.
Demonstrated experience applying root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and structured problem solving.
Experience leading cross-functional improvement initiatives and influencing organizational change without direct authority.
Experience with new product introduction, manufacturing readiness, process qualification, design reviews, and transition from development to production.
Experience developing and using data analytics, dashboards, performance metrics, and business intelligence tools to guide quality and operational decisions.
Advanced proficiency with Power BI, Minitab, SQL, Python, or other analytics platforms.
Experience applying artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automation, or other emerging technologies to quality or operational improvement.
Demonstrated ability to identify systemic process risks and implement effective preventive controls and error-proofing strategies.
Experience with Lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, process re-engineering, Lean/5S, and continuous improvement.
Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
Demonstrated ability to mentor Quality Engineers, Lean Six Sigma practitioners, and cross-functional technical professionals.
Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, engineering teams, manufacturing organizations, and leadership on complex quality issues.

Responsibilities

Lead quality engineering initiatives within assigned areas to improve product quality, process capability, first-pass yield, cost of poor quality, and overall operational performance.
Perform quality assurance functions for assigned manufacturing areas, including audits, facilitating Material Review Boards (MRBs) and Working Corrective Action Boards (WCABs), managing non-conformances and router approvals, and identifying and helping resolve performance problems.
Lead structured problem-solving and corrective action activities for nonconformances, quality escapes, recurring defects, process failures, and other complex quality issues using Lean Six Sigma, statistical, and root-cause analysis methodologies.
Review manufacturing and product processes and related documentation—including manufacturing flow, assembly and process procedures, test procedures, drawings, specifications, and work instructions—to identify risks and opportunities to improve quality and process performance.
Analyze quality and operational data to identify trends, variation, emerging risks, failure modes, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities; develop metrics, dashboards, and analytical tools.
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Test, and Program Management to implement quality-at-the-source strategies, strengthen process controls, prevent defects, and improve manufacturing and business processes.
Support new product introduction and production programs through quality planning, risk assessment, design and process reviews, FMEA, process qualification, verification and validation, and manufacturing readiness activities.
Lead process improvement and re-engineering initiatives, including value stream mapping, process mapping, Lean/5S, process capability improvement, waste reduction, and future-state process development; implement sustainable improvements and safeguards.
Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and training to Quality Engineers and cross-functional teams in quality engineering, problem solving, Lean Six Sigma, data analysis, and continuous improvement; lead teams and influence results without direct authority.