Director Of Quality & Mission Assurance

Capella Space stands at the forefront of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology and signal intelligence. We provide customers in governments, academia, and commercial sectors with reliable information that enables unparalleled understanding of the world. Our mission is centered on delivering timely and reliable Earth imagery, supporting diverse applications in defense & intelligence, disaster response, energy, environmental monitoring and more. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Capella Space designs, manufactures and operates an advanced constellation of SAR imaging satellites. Our market-leading SAR satellites are complemented by an unmatched data infrastructure and automated ordering and delivery platform for fast, reliable insights where and when customers need it most. 

Recognized for our technological prowess, Capella Space was honored as one of the 10 most innovative companies in Space in 2023 by FASTCOMPANY. Capella Space is an internationally trusted Earth Observation data provider, working closely with the U.S. Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force, NASA, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, the Canadian Government and more to make unclassified, high-resolution SAR data more accessible.  

What Makes Capella Unique? 

Capella Space is a highly collaborative team environment, providing an opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the space industry, though no prior space experience is needed.  We’re looking for people excited about tackling seemingly impossible challenges, learning new skills and concepts, and helping each other achieve success. Our mission and our products are meant to understand the whole world and help everyone in it - regardless of race, creed, or any other distinction. We encourage you to bring your unique perspective to help make us stronger, including applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. 

About the Role

As the Director of Quality and Mission Assurance at Capella Space, you will join a dynamic and innovative team, rapidly scaling to meet significant growth projections. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will work cross functionally to establish a AS9100 certified quality management system while maintaining the speed and flexibility required in our rapidly developing high technology market space. 

Role Responsibilities

• Quality Management:
  • Coordinate and collaborate with cross functional team to develop, implement, and maintain a robust quality management system compliant with industry standards, regulations, and best practices that ensures speed, flexibility, and innovation.
  • Establish quality assurance processes throughout the entire product/program life cycle, including design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of space systems.
  • Conduct assessments to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to quality standards.
  • Implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality issues and prevent recurrence
• Mission Assurance:
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to integrate mission assurance practices throughout the project/program lifecycle.
  • Monitor and lead actions related to Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP).
• Process Improvement:
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and lead continuous improvement initiatives to drive efficiency, increase speed, eliminate waste, and enhance quality and reliability of space systems.
  • Analyze data and metrics to identify trends and opportunities for optimization.
    
• Compliance and Standards:
  • Create a corporate level plan and lead a cross functional team to establish AS9100 certification.
  • Stay current on changes in regulations, standards and best practices and adapt quality and mission assurance processes accordingly.
  • Ensure that all products and processes adhere to the necessary quality standards and meet the stringent requirements of space missions.
• Supplier Quality Management:
  • Work closely with Supply Chain Management and Engineering to evaluate suppliers and to establish and maintain quality standards for incoming materials and components.
  • Establish supplier quality assurance processes and monitor supplier performance to ensure compliance with quality requirements.
• Risk Management:
  • Implement risk management strategies to identify and mitigate potential risks related to quality throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Collaborate with project teams to develop contingency plans for quality-related issues.
• Leadership, Training and Development:
  • Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and quality excellence within the organization.
  • Provide training and guidance to the organization on quality processes, standards, and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline.
  
• Proven experience in quality management within the aerospace, defense or space industry.
  
• In-depth knowledge of industry standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001, and familiarity with space-specific quality standards.
  
• Strong understanding of risk management and continuous improvement methodologies.
  
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
  
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and collaborative team environment.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant engineering or science discipline.
  
• Experience leading an AS9100 implementation.
  
• Professional Certifications:
  
  • Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) 
    
  • Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
    
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
    
  • Lean / Six Sigma
    

Compensation 

The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $169,798.00 - $190,605.00.  The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.    

Benefits/Perks 

In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation: 

• We offer up to 100% paid medical coverage, with robust vision and dental plans, comprehensive flexible spending accounts, and supplemental health plans 
• Equity 
• 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement planning 
• Generous Parental Leave 
• Flexible Paid Time Off Policy 
• Commuter & Parking Benefits 
• Mental Health Resources 
• Monthly phone stipend 
• Daily provided lunches and stocked kitchens.  
• Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com 

To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/  and follow us on X and LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!