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Quantum Space is seeking a 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.
You will serve as the technical authority for metallic materials and manufacturing processes, working closely with propulsion, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering teams. Your responsibilities span the entire product lifecycle from early development through flight production, combining technical leadership, hands-on engineering support, root cause analysis, and process development.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead selection, development, qualification, and implementation of metallic materials and manufacturing processes for spacecraft structures and propulsion systems
- Develop and qualify friction stir welding (FSW), electron beam welding, laser welding, TIG welding, brazing, heat treatment, machining, forming, and additive manufacturing processes
- Provide technical leadership for materials selection, compatibility assessments, and manufacturing process development across multidisciplinary teams
- Develop process specifications, material specifications, qualification plans, and manufacturing standards for production and flight certification
- Investigate material failures, manufacturing anomalies, and nonconformances using root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
- Support design reviews with guidance on material selection, manufacturability, structural integrity, and production readiness
- Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to improve production efficiency, process capability, and hardware quality
- Support supplier qualification, material validation, and special process oversight to ensure aerospace standards compliance
- 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 technical authority
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or 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, 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 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
- 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: Master's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline; spacecraft development experience.
