Spaceflight Quality, Safety and Mission Assurance Manager

A fast-growing space robotics and mobility company is seeking a Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Manager to lead quality, safety, and mission assurance across high-reliability space programs.

This role is responsible for ensuring that complex space systems are designed, built, and operated safely, reliably, and in compliance with applicable standards. You will act as the technical authority for SMA, lead and develop the SMA function, and partner closely with engineering, operations, and leadership teams in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

What you’ll do

• Serve as the technical authority for Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance policies and practices

• Lead and manage the SMA function, including internal team members and external partners

• Establish, maintain, and enforce quality and safety policies, standards, and requirements

• Own and manage the Quality Management System, including AS9100 and related practices

• Support development of inspection criteria and acceptance testing for components and assemblies

• Monitor nonconformances and drive corrective and preventive actions

• Conduct internal audits and assessments to verify compliance

• Improve methods for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risk across the full project lifecycle

• Lead incident investigations and root cause analyses when issues arise

• Partner with site personnel to ensure workforce safety and compliance with occupational safety and environmental standards, including regulatory reporting

• Oversee compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks such as FAR, DFARS, NFS, and related requirements

• Implement and oversee the SMA Technical Authority process, providing independent recommendations on critical safety and mission decisions

What we’re looking for

• 9+ years of experience in Safety, Mission Assurance, Quality, or a closely related field

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent technical background

• Experience supporting NASA, DoD, or aerospace programs

• Prior experience implementing or maintaining AS9100, ISO9001, or similar quality systems

• Experience conducting audits

• Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality and compliance

• Ability to balance SMA rigor with the pace of a startup environment

• Self-motivated, organized, and deadline-driven

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• US Person status

Nice to have

• Experience passing CMMI Level 3 or higher assessments

• Prior experience leading and growing an SMA team, including hiring

• Experience on programs that launched and operated in space

• OSHA 10 (General Industry) certification

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