Sr. Quality Engineer

ARES seeks an experienced Sr. Quality Engineer to provide quality assurance oversight support to a Goddard Space Flight Center instrument being manufactured at GSFC. The chosen candidate must possess the ability to work professionally as a NASA representative and successfully foster a positive relationship with our internal and external customers. This is a fast-paced environment that requires an outgoing and positive attitude and the ability to handle multiple priority tasks. The successful applicant must possess leadership skills and be able to communicate mission issues and risks as they apply to programmatic, technical, and safety concerns. If selected, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our teammates at NASA and within our close-knit community. ARES offers competitive benefits and compensation, in addition to a positive work/life balance.

Scope of Position: 

• Support is required for scientific instruments and locally at GSFC. 
• This position provides support in the development and implementation of Mission Assurance Requirements (MAR) during the integration and test of the instrument through independent surveillance, audit, review, and assessment of the full spectrum of mission development activities.

Specified activities include:

• Support possible shift work and/or weekend work during the Integration and Test phases of the project.
• Review key contract deliverables/products and monitor compliance to plan and procedures. Review results/status from the quality audits, corrective actions, and metrics.
• Support Project milestone reviews, peer reviews, and project reviews, providing NASA assurances to requirements and readiness as appropriate.
• Communicate and ensure resolution of all noncompliance issues and/or risks. Support project discrepancy board meetings, tracking discrepancy reports, change requests, and action items throughout project lifecycle. Provide Quality Engineering inputs to nonconforming product dispositions and corrective actions.
• Provide weekly and monthly reporting to our customer, providing additional inputs as needed to assist in customer presentations.
• Support activities including witnessing, handling, receiving inspection, performing or monitoring inspections and tests, reviewing documentation, and coordinating and participating in problem and failure reporting/resolution.
• Witness compliance with various procedures and requirements documents, including contamination control, clean room activities, handling equipment (slings, cranes, hydrosets), hazardous operations, and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) control.
• Ensure approved drawings and procedures are used.
• Ensure equipment calibration is in compliance with requirements.
• Prepare for (e.g. analyses, presentation materials, and other documentation) and participate in Material Review Boards (MRB), Configuration Control Boards (CCB), Failure Review Boards (FRB), and design reviews.
• Review manufacturing flow plans for adequacy and review operational check points for Mandatory Inspections Points (MIPs).
• Evaluate NASA and NASA supplier facilities for required equipment, processes, personnel, training, and capability for producing quality hardware in compliance with agency and project requirements.

Minimum Requirements and Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Be a self-starter, able to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Be pro-active and confident, as well as a team-player who is able to interface with technical and management personnel.
• Ability to work in a cleanroom facility to include: wearing proper clean-room attire, standing for a full shift, climb ladders/scaffolding, working at heights (in a man-lift), kneeling, working in tight spaces around expensive equipment.
• You may be required to support various operations that require specific training. 
• This training can include courses associated with workmanship, electrostatic discharge, working in confined spaces, scaffolding, or others required to support SMAS operations. 
• Being able to take and pass these courses in a timely manner is a requirement for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Please list the degree requirements and the required years of relevant experience.
• 7 or more years of directly related quality or engineering experience.
• Ability to obtain/maintain NASA and IPC workmanship certifications (J-STD-100, NASA-STD- 8739.4 CCH, NASA-Std-8739.1A Polymeric Inspection), including vision test per NASA-STD-8739.6. Current holders of the certifications are strongly desired.

ARES Benefits:

ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA/FSA Accounts
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• ESOP
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off & Holidays

ARES is an equal opportunity employer and complies with E-Verify. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law. ARES shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.