R&D Quality Assurance Engineer, Steward Observatory

Steward Observatory is both a century-old observatory on the University of Arizona campus and one of the University's oldest research units. Founded in 1918, the Observatory brings together students, staff, faculty, engineers, and technicians to explore the universe and share discoveries through world-class research, education, and outreach. With more than 180 professionals supporting advanced facilities, laboratories, and observatories, Steward Observatory offers a collaborative environment where technical expertise plays a critical role in advancing ground- and space-based astronomy.

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites you to apply for the role of R&D Quality Assurance Engineer. In this position, you will serve as a Quality Engineer supporting the replacement of a large ground-based telescope primary mirror and its associated telescope interfaces. You will support quality engineering activities to ensure that manufacturing, integration, and verification processes meet established technical and quality standards. The project is currently in the post-Critical Design Review (CDR) phase and is entering fabrication, integration, verification, and commissioning activities.

The successful candidate must be able to travel within the United States for this position and may need to visit U.S. military bases.

This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position).

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Quality Process Engineering:

• Reviews quality standards and implements control measures, including sampling and testing methodologies, to ensure components meet metrics and to resolve recurring reliability issues
• Operates and troubleshoots specialized equipment and instruments to maintain the technical infrastructure required for research and safety testing
• Updates and maintains documentation, including drawings and schematics.
• Develops and modifies procedures and associated documentation.

Quality Assurance & Supplier Quality:

• Assists in implementing quality assurance plans, inspection strategies, and quality control processes to ensure compliance with project requirements and quality standards.
• Support supplier quality activities, including source inspections, First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR), acceptance reviews, and vendor assessments.

Project Coordination & Collaboration:

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, suppliers, and project leadership to identify risks, resolve technical and quality issues, and support project objectives.
• Communicates with other engineering functions, including design, process, production, quality, and reliability.
• Handles the documentation of procedures and analyzes experimental data to prepare comprehensive reports that ensure transparency and traceability for management review.

Risk Management & Reliability:

• Monitors the safety of personnel and equipment to identify risks, implement mitigation plans, and support campus health, safety, and environmental compliance
• Participates in investigations of nonconformances and quality issues, including root-cause analyses and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities.
• Support risk and reliability assessments, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and assist with the development and tracking of mitigation plans.

Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Working knowledge of
  quality assurance methods, configuration management, engineering change
  control, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and
  risk assessment techniques, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and
  collaboration skills, with the ability to
  work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage multiple
  assignments.

Physical
Requirements and Environmental Demands:

• Noise levels may be sufficient to require shouting in order to be heard above surrounding noise.
• Work safely around moving machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, and energized systems.
• Perform
  work from ladders, scaffolding, elevated platforms, and other high
  locations as required.
• Safely
  handle and work around chemicals, oils, lubricants, and cutting fluids.
• Follow
  established safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics,
  Computer Science, or a related technical course of study.
• Minimum of three years of experience in systems
  engineering, quality engineering, product assurance, or a closely related
  technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• This position supports a federal contract which requires that the selected candidate be a U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens cannot be considered for this position).