Quality Engineer

Location: This role will be based onsite at our office in Louisville, Colorado office.
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID: 405

About Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthens global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations. Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and to deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

What Makes Capella Unique

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella’s culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthens global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations. No prior space experience is required. Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella’s ability to innovate and to deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce quality requirements for spacecraft structural assemblies, subassemblies, including propulsion systems, and components.
• Lead, facilitate, investigate nonconformances, with root cause corrective action (RCCA) methodologies (such as 8D, DMAIC, and other structured problem-solving methods). Analysis of NCRs, trends, supplier projects, internal processes.
• Provide real-time quality support on the manufacturing floor, including developing inspection test procedures, acceptance test procedures (ATP) and overseeing environmental testing quality compliance (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC).
• Develop in-process inspection criteria, First Article Inspection plans, and final product acceptance protocols.
• Develop, manage, and support MRB (Material Review Board) dispositions and oversee rework/ repair activities.
• Implement incoming inspection process for critical hardware and review supplier quality escape reports.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to verify that critical-to-quality (CTQ) features are flowed down and verified at build stages.
• Support internal and external audits, including customer and certification audits.
• Manage supplier quality assurance activities for aerospace parts and assemblies.
• Support manufacturing readiness activities including PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and Control Plans.
• Maintain calibration, gaging, and special process control systems in compliance with aerospace standards.
• Train operators and inspectors on inspection methods, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Ensure compliance with contractual quality requirements, ITAR regulations, and ISO/ AS9100 standards.
• Support failure investigations and anomaly resolutions for hardware issues.
• Familiar with tracking and reporting supplier performance metrics (OTD, PPM, NCR rates).
• Maintain strict configuration management and traceability of materials, processes, and documentation per standards.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and process plans to ensure quality requirements are defined and met.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to develop robust process controls and inspection plans.
• Support design for manufacturability and producibility reviews to ensure quality is built into critical spaceflight hardware.
• Monitor and control special processes (e.g. bonding, welding, soldering) critical to spaceflight qualification.
• Support design reviews, test readiness reviews, and customer acceptance milestones.
• Conduct supplier audits, PPAP reviews, First Article Inspections (FAIs) per AS9102 standards.

Requirements

• B.S. or higher in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, or Industrial)
• 8+ years of experience in a regulated industry (aerospace, robotics, medical device, automotive, or equivalent)
• ASQ certifications are a plus
• Experience with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)
• 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

Compensation

The approximate base salary range for this position is $104,000 - $140,000. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available.

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 provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
• 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Generous Parental Leave
• Paid Flexible Time Off Policy
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Commuter & Parking Benefits
• Mental Health Resources
• Monthly Phone Stipend
• Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options

Equal Opportunity Statement

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, and we strive to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

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