Materials Engineer III

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 III 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

Base Salary: Rockville, MD: $125,000 to $175,000, Hawthorne, CA: $135,000 to $185,000

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.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.