Senior Reliability Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

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.

We are seeking a Reliability Engineer to ensure the reliability, safety,

and mission assurance of our next-generation spacecraft and supporting systems. In this role, you will perform reliability analyses, influence system architecture and hardware design, support environmental testing and failure investigations, and help establish the processes that ensure mission success throughout the product lifecycle. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about building next-generation space systems that support mission success.

• Perform functional and interface Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMEA/FMECA) at the part, assembly, and system levels, and maintain the Critical Items List (CIL).
• Develop Fault Tree Analyses (FTA), Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD), and reliability predictions including MTBF and MTTF to support design trades, redundancy decisions, and sparing strategies.
• Apply physics-of-failure methodologies, Weibull analysis, accelerated life testing, and probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) to evaluate mission-critical hardware.
• Support EEE parts reliability through component selection and derating, parts stress analysis, worst-case analysis, and radiation effects screening in accordance with EEE-INST-002.
• Monitor GIDEP alerts and supplier advisories, tracking limited-life and limited-shelf-life components throughout the production lifecycle.
• Partner with design and systems engineering teams to integrate reliability requirements into spacecraft architecture, supplier selection, and manufacturing processes early in development.
• Provide actionable reliability analyses that influence redundancy, design margins, and component selection while maintaining documentation for technical reviews and audits.
• Support environmental qualification, life testing, and verification activities by reviewing test plans, evaluating results, and assessing reliability impacts.
• Tailor reliability activities to mission risk classifications while maintaining rigorous standards for safety-critical and range safety systems.
• Help develop and continuously improve Quantum Space's reliability engineering processes, procedures, analysis templates, and requirements within our AS9100 Rev D Quality Management System.

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 5+ years of reliability, mission assurance, or closely related engineering experience supporting flight hardware or similarly high-reliability systems; senior candidates typically possess 8–10+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience developing FMEA/FMECA, FTA, Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD), and reliability predictions.
• Working knowledge of reliability and mission assurance standards including NASA-STD-8729.1, MIL-STD-882, and EEE-INST-002.
• Experience applying reliability engineering principles to complex aerospace or high-reliability systems.
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills with the ability to assess risk and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced development environment.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR/EAR regulations.

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline or ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) certification.
• Direct spacecraft, satellite, or flight hardware development experience.
• Familiarity with NASA reliability, workmanship, and mission assurance standards.
• Experience with PLM/PDM tools such as Creo and Windchill.
• Familiarity with propulsion systems, pressure systems, batteries, ordnance, or other safety-critical spacecraft subsystems.
• Experience supporting rideshare launch programs or range safety requirements.

• Ownership – Own reliability analyses and mission assurance activities that directly influence spacecraft design, qualification, and mission success.
• Innovation – Apply advanced reliability engineering techniques to improve the performance, safety, and resilience of next-generation spacecraft systems.
• Impact – Partner across engineering disciplines to identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring reliable spacecraft performance from development through launch.
• Growth – Collaborate with experienced aerospace engineers while helping mature Quantum Space's reliability engineering and mission assurance capabilities.
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location: Rockville, MD

Base Salary: $120,000 – $180,000

The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and 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.

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.