Entry Level Qa Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!

We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Quality Assurance Specialist – Mission Assurance Office to join our team with the Mission Assurance Office Division.

Amentum is seeking a highly motivated cleanroom quality assurancespecialist to support precision cleaning, controlled environmental hardware processing, and quality assurance activities under the NASA JETS II Contract. This role ensures mission‑critical hardware is processed, inspected, and released in full compliance with NASA, JETS, and Amentum quality requirements.

It is anticipated that this individual will dedicate approximately 40 to 50 hours per week to supporting cleanroom operations for extended periods. When cleanroom activities are not underway, the individual will continue to perform the full range of responsibilities associated with a Quality Assurance Specialist.

Key ResponsibilitiesCleanroom & Hardware Quality

• Perform quality inspections on hardware undergoing precision cleaning and contamination control processes.

Support Operations & Testing within Cleanroom environment

• Verify compliance with NASA standards (e.g., NASA‑STD‑8739.x, JPR 5322.X requirements, controlled storage, calibrated tooling).

• Validate cleanroom process documentation, ensuring accuracy in hardware traceability, Q‑codes, material certification, and process steps.

• Support Operations & Testing within Cleanroom environment

• Coordinate with cleanroom technicians and managers regarding priority hardware, escalation paths, and throughput expectations.

• Support precision cleaning activities through review of cleaning records, acceptance data, and documentation release.

• Participate in or lead root‑cause analysis efforts (fishbone, 5‑Whys) for identified cleanroom‑related nonconformances.

• Assist in CAPA development and verification for PENs opened against cleanroom processes, hardware residues, or inspection findings.

• Utilize COSMIC/EDS systems for documentation control, TPS/NCR processing, and quality‑related workflow.

• Review and validate procedure usage in a cleanroom environment, ensuring compliance with current JETS and NASA requirements.

• Contribute to process improvement, including transitioning teams toward electronic documentation where applicable.

The Quality Assurance Specialist:

• Use JETS Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions for Quality Assurance inspection acceptance and rejection.

• Approve or reject raw materials, piece part components, sub-assemblies and top-level deliverable products into inventory based on required vs. provided documentation.

• Coordinate closely with other JETS QA Inspectors regarding acceptance and rejection criteria and processes.

• Interface with Supplier's Quality Representatives, Engineers and personnel.

• Provide weekly status reports to the Quality and Compliance Manager as requested.

• Apply and maintain quality standards for in process and final inspection.

• Perform receiving inspection on flight and non-flight aerospace products and support equipment in the approved configurations.

• Perform documentation review and verification of certifications, specifications, and conformance to design requirements.

• Communicate with internal customers, procurement, quality assurance and suppliers to resolve inspection discrepancies.

• Use in-house system to receive parts into inventory and provide accurate routing to next demanded location

• Perform dimensional and physical inspection with standard measuring equipment.

• Witness Mandatory Inspection Points

• Apply and maintain quality standards for in-process and final inspection.

• As needed, the individual will also perform source inspection of space flight government furnished Equipment (GFE) at a supplier's place of business.

• Perform other duties as required

Requisition Qualifications:

• Typically requires minimum of 2 years of experience in process control and laboratory operations.

• Minimum of HS diploma

• Demonstrate leadership ability, and good communication are required

• Current NASA IPC workmanship standards certifications

• Precisoncleanroom experience (technician or quality)

Requisition Preferences:

• Ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)

• Previous manufacturing inspection experience at NASA Johnson Space Center is highly desired

• Previous experience working on Amentum's aerospace contracts at NASA Johnson Space Center is preferred

• Prior experience as a quality inspector in receiving inspection

• Familiarity with electrostatic discharge (ESD) control processes

• Familiarity with precision cleaning requirements and inspection

• Familiarity with FOD programs and spaceflight cleanliness requirements

• Ability to understand basic engineering terminology

• Knowledge of AS9100 and other relevant aerospace industry standards

Why Join Our Team?

In addition to exciting career opportunities, we also have:

• Excellent personal and professional career growth

• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable

• Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch)

• Much, much more!

For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), please visit www.wehavespaceforyou.com

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position.

• Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

• Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.

Essential FunctionsWork Environment

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.

Physical Requirements

Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).

Equipment and Machines

Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.).

Attendance

Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Other Essential Functions

Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

#JETS #JETSII

Compensation Details

QA1-QA2

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good‑faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting

09/01/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters