Astra · 11 hours ago
Sr Manager, Quality
Alameda, CA
Contract
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$144K/yr - $187K/yr
10+ years expAstra is on a mission to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. The Sr Manager of Quality will be responsible for establishing and leading the company's Mission Assurance strategy, ensuring quality and reliability across all space hardware programs while managing complex risks in a fast-paced environment.
AerospaceSatellite CommunicationSpace Travel
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Establish and own the company's Mission Assurance strategy, working with program management and engineering to perform risk assessments and identify, mitigate, and track all mission-critical risks
Implement a Design Assurance program to ensure quality, reliability, and safety are integrated into product design from the earliest stages, in accordance with applicable standards (e.g., NASA, DOD) and contractual requirements
Develop and oversee reliability engineering activities, including risk and failure analysis, and lead the System Safety program to identify and mitigate hazards associated with the hardware
Lead the Failure Review Board (FRB) for all significant program anomalies and failures, ensuring robust root cause analysis and effective implementation of corrective actions
Act as the independent reviewer for program execution, participating in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and program audits to provide critical analysis and ensure a path to mission success
Develop, deploy, and maintain a comprehensive QMS in preparation for AS9100 certification and other relevant space-specific quality standards
Lead the supplier quality management program, ensuring suppliers of critical parts and processes meet stringent space-grade quality standards. Engage in supplier technical reviews and audits
Implement process controls and oversee all aspects of hardware quality during manufacturing, assembly, and test, including non-conformance management and material review boards (MRB)
Champion a continuous improvement culture, utilizing methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, to enhance processes and overall product quality and reliability
Build, lead, mentor, and grow the quality and mission assurance team, scaling the organization to support the company's growth trajectory
Develop and implement mission assurance and quality training programs for engineers, technicians, and managers across the company
Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality and mission assurance representatives, building trusted relationships and ensuring clear communication
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or a related technical field
10+ years of experience in quality and mission assurance within the aerospace, defense, or space industry
Proven experience leading the implementation of a QMS, preferably in a manufacturing startup
Extensive experience with Mission Assurance concepts, including risk management, reliability engineering, and system safety
Strong knowledge of industry standards such as AS9100 and familiarity with government standards and guidelines (e.g., NASA, DOD)
Demonstrate ability to perform robust root cause analysis and lead effective corrective action efforts
Preferred
Master's degree in an engineering or technical discipline
Experience with NADCAP accreditation for special processes
Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
Experience interacting with government agencies (e.g., NASA, DoD) on mission assurance and quality issues
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and act tactically in a dynamic startup environment
A 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude with a passion for building something from the ground up
Company
Astra
Astra is a rocket launch startup that provides satellite delivery and launch services.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$390.9MKey Investors
BlackRock
2023-11-06Post Ipo Debt· $13.4M
2023-08-04Post Ipo Debt· $12.5M
2023-07-10Post Ipo Equity· $65M
Leadership Team
Chris Kemp
Founder and CEO
Adam London
Founder and CTO
Recent News
2026-01-21
2026-01-13
Company data provided by crunchbase