Permanent Space Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Quality Assurance Leader - Aerospace Systems (5222C), Space Sciences Laboratory - #87732

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

The Quality Assurance Leader, Aerospace Systems provides technical leadership and independent oversight across the full lifecycle of advanced aerospace systems, from pioneering scientific instruments for interplanetary exploration to next-generation satellite, launch vehicle, and command-and-control architectures. This position ensures quality is engineered into every phase of development by driving rigorous verification, risk management, process discipline, and compliance with NASA Safety & Mission Assurance and aerospace industry standards. Working alongside engineering, manufacturing, integration, and supplier teams, the Quality Assurance Leader, Aerospace Systems helps transform breakthrough concepts into mission-ready hardware capable of performing flawlessly in the unforgiving environments of launch and deep space. Leadership spans design reviews, manufacturing surveillance, hardware inspections, supplier oversight, environmental and functional testing, anomaly resolution, and flight readiness verification, ensuring every system is built for reliability, safety, and mission success. At launch sites, this position provides critical quality oversight during spacecraft integration, fueling, encapsulation, and launch vehicle processing, safeguarding every milestone leading to flight. Through technical excellence, sound judgment, and uncompromising attention to detail, this position helps deliver spacecraft that enable humanity's exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The First Review Date for this job is: August 17, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

• Provides strategic leadership and subject-matter expertise in Aerospace Quality Assurance and NASA Safety & Mission Assurance, setting technical direction and quality standards that drive mission success and enterprise-wide risk mitigation.
• Provides expert technical oversight across design, fabrication, integration, and test of spaceflight hardware, evaluating compliance with NASA requirements and flagging quality risks early to protect mission reliability.
• Partners with engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to resolve complex technical issues, drive effective corrective actions, and build a culture of continuous quality improvement through direct, hands-on technical engagement.
• Verifies mission-critical hardware against aerospace quality and workmanship standards through detailed inspections, procedural compliance reviews, manufacturing surveillance, and witnessing of qualification and acceptance testing.
• Investigates quality issues, analyzes technical data, and produces clear, actionable reports and documentation that support sound decision-making, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across programs.

• Detailed knowledge of Aerospace Quality Assurance requirements
• Knowledge of NASA Safety and Mission Assurance requirements
• Infrequent travel to partners and subcontractors, possible longer travel associated with launches.
• U.S. Person - a natural person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). It also means any corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, or any other entity, organization or group that is incorporated to do business in the U.S. It also includes any governmental (federal, state or local), entity

• Aerospace systems knowledge or other engineering specialties supporting Aerospace Quality Assurance
• Skills in managing large volumes of information and creating professional documentation to present to customers

• Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Post-graduate level course work in related area (Preferred)

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $140,000.00 - $175,000.00. The full pay scale for this classification is $130,935.00 - $252,945.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

• This is an on-site position at the University of California, Berkeley - Space Sciences Lab.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for RP or SV.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.