Materials and Process Engineer - Metallics

Materials and Process Engineer - Metallics Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA or Tulsa, OK or Denver, CO Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly. Who We're Looking For We are seeking an experienced Senior Materials and Process Engineer - Metallics to lead the development, qualification, and implementation of metallic materials and manufacturing processes for next-generation spacecraft structures, propulsion systems, and flight hardware. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in aerospace metallic materials, joining technologies, process qualification, and manufacturing development who thrives in a fast-paced environment supporting both hardware development and flight production. You will work closely with propulsion, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering teams to select, qualify, and optimize metallic materials and manufacturing processes that enable reliable, high-performance spacecraft systems. This highly collaborative role combines technical leadership, hands‑on engineering support, root cause analysis, and process development across the entire product lifecycle - from early development through flight production. Where You’ll Make an Impact Lead the selection, development, qualification, and implementation of metallic materials and manufacturing processes for spacecraft structures, propulsion systems, and flight hardware Develop and qualify friction stir welding (FSW), welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, forming, additive manufacturing, and other metallic fabrication processes to support spacecraft production Provide technical leadership for materials selection, compatibility assessments, and manufacturing process development across multidisciplinary engineering teams Provide technical expertise in the optimization and qualification of friction stir welding, electron beam welding, laser welding, TIG welding, and other advanced joining processes for flight-critical hardware Develop process specifications, material specifications, qualification plans, and manufacturing standards to support production and flight certification Investigate material failures, manufacturing anomalies, and nonconformances using root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies Support design reviews by providing guidance on material selection, manufacturability, structural integrity, and production readiness Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to improve production efficiency, process capability, repeatability, and hardware quality Support supplier qualification, material validation, and special process oversight to ensure compliance with aerospace standards Define and oversee mechanical testing, metallurgical evaluations, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), and material characterization activities Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance manufacturing quality, reduce risk, and improve cost and schedule performance Mentor junior engineers while serving as the technical authority for metallic materials and manufacturing processes Support spacecraft development, qualification, and production efforts in a dynamic, fast‑paced aerospace environment What It Takes Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline 10+ years of experience supporting metallic materials engineering and manufacturing processes in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries Experience developing and qualifying friction stir welding (FSW), electron beam welding, laser welding, TIG welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, or other metallic manufacturing processes Demonstrated expertise in metallic materials selection, qualification, and process development Strong knowledge of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, and other aerospace metallic materials Experience developing and qualifying welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, or other metallic manufacturing processes Experience authoring material specifications, process specifications, qualification documentation, and engineering procedures Strong understanding of metallurgy, fracture mechanics, corrosion, fatigue, and failure analysis principles Experience performing root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions for manufacturing and material issues Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, material specifications, and aerospace manufacturing standards Excellent communication, organizational, and cross‑functional collaboration skills Ability to lead technical efforts with minimal oversight while mentoring junior engineers Nice-to-Have Experience Master's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical discipline Experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicle, propulsion, or other aerospace flight hardware programs Experience developing welding procedures (WPS/PQR), process qualification, and production implementation for aerospace flight hardware using advanced joining technologies Experience with pressure vessels, propulsion systems, cryogenic hardware, or aerospace structures Familiarity with nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods including radiography, ultrasonic inspection, dye penetrant, and computed tomography Experience supporting material qualification programs in accordance with NASA, DoD, MIL, ASTM, or aerospace industry standards Experience with additive manufacturing qualification for metallic aerospace components Experience working with suppliers to qualify special processes and improve manufacturing capability Professional Engineer (PE) license or relevant industry certifications What You’ll Get Ownership- Lead the development and qualification of metallic materials and manufacturing processes supporting mission‑critical spacecraft hardware. Innovation- Help advance cutting‑edge spacecraft manufacturing technologies that enable next‑generation mobility and operations in space. Impact- Drive the reliability, manufacturability, and performance of spacecraft systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial missions. Growth- Join a collaborative engineering organization where you'll influence product development, manufacturing strategy, and technical excellence across multiple spacecraft programs. Compensation- Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA or Tulsa, OK, or Denver, CO Base Salary: $125,000 to $175,000 The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package. Additional Requirements To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years. Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at . How do you know if you have a disability? A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to: Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally) Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS Blind or low vision Cancer (past or present) Cardiovascular or heart disease Celiac disease Cerebral palsy Deaf or serious difficulty hearing Diabetes Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders Epilepsy or other seizure disorder Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome Intellectual or developmental disability Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD Missing limbs or partially missing limbs Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities Partial or complete paralysis (any cause) Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema Short stature (dwarfism) Traumatic brain injury #J-18808-Ljbffr Quantum Space