Quality Engineer

About Opterus

Opterus Research & Development is an innovative aerospace company based in Loveland, Colorado, specializing in deployable space structures and high-strain composite systems. We combine cutting-edge composite materials, origami-inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high-performance structural systems for commercial, defense, and scientific missions.

Position Overview

Quality Engineer II/III will lead quality assurance activities across production programs, ensuring that Opterus hardware meets customer, regulatory, and mission requirements. This role will be responsible for contract documentation review, production‑level quality oversight, nonconformance (NC) ownership, and continuous improvement of manufacturing quality processes.

Work closely within the Quality Management System (QMS) framework, recommend improvements, and help drive compliance and mission assurance maturity across all flight hardware programs.

This position is ideal for a detail oriented, proactive engineer who thrives in a fast‑paced aerospace development environment and enjoys working closely with manufacturing, engineering, mission assurance, and program leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Production Quality Assurance

• Lead quality assurance activities for production and flight hardware manufacturing.

• Serve as quality assurance lead on assigned flight hardware programs.

• Review customer contracts and technical documentation to ensure full compliance with requirements.

• Conduct and approve quality sign‑offs at key manufacturing and test milestones.

• Act as quality owner for product nonconformances (NCs), including investigation, root cause analysis, and coordination of corrective and preventive actions.

Documentation, Process Compliance, and QMS Integration

• Interpret customer requirements and flow down applicable quality and inspection criteria.

• Support adherence to the company AS9100 QMS through daily application of established processes.

• Recommend improvements to QMS workflows, procedures, and compliance methods.

• Support internal audits, supplier audits, and preparation for external audits as necessary.

• Review and approve manufacturing travelers, inspection reports, test documentation, and quality records.

• Support supply chain quality including new supplier qualification/approval, supplier audits, supplier on-site visits, SCAR creations, source inspection support, etc.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and program management to ensure clear communication and timely resolution of quality issues.

• Identify inefficiencies and lead quality system/process improvement initiatives.

• Develop inspection methods, quality templates, standardized procedures, and training materials.

• Provide guidance to technicians and engineers on quality tools, best practices, and mission assurance expectations.

Flight Hardware Support

• Support qualification and acceptance activities for flight hardware, including inspection, documentation, and compliance validation.

• Ensure traceability, configuration control, and proper documentation throughout hardware lifecycle.

• Contribute to risk management activities related to product quality and mission assurance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial/Quality Engineering, or a related field.

• 2+ years (Level II) or 5+ years (Level III) of experience in aerospace quality engineering, production quality, or mission assurance.

• Experience with flight hardware programs for NASA, DoD, or commercial space customers.

• Strong understanding of AS9100 or ISO 9001.

• Hands‑on experience with inspection practices, nonconformance management, and corrective action processes.

• Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.

• Ability to work effectively on fast‑paced programs with high levels of ownership and accountability.

• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with flight hardware programs for NASA, DoD, or commercial space customers.

• Background working with composite structures, deployable structures, or precision aerospace mechanisms.

• Familiarity with NDIs, inspection tooling, and hardware qualification processes.

• Experience with MRB activities and root cause/corrective action frameworks (e.g., 8D, fishbone, 5‑Whys).

• Prior involvement in QMS improvement or audit preparation.

• Manufacturing engineering or assembly, integration, and test familiarity with flight hardware.

Compensation and Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week)

• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance

• Opterus pays 100% of employees' premiums and 70% of dependents' premiums

• 401K matching up to 4%

• 9 paid holidays