Aerospace Quality Assurance Specialist - Cambridge, United States - Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Verified Company

Cambridge, United States

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

Description:

OPENING DATE:
June 3, 2024

CLOSING DATE:
June 28, 2024

TYPE OF POSITION:
Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION:
Central Engineering

LOCATION:
Cambridge, MA

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian.

They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts.

Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status.

The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.

Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

Pass Preemployment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties:

_ INTRODUCTION_
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world.

Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education.

The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.

Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies.

In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

_SUMMARY_

The purpose of the position is to provide a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineering Technologist to support projects within SAO that have the complex, contractually mandated quality assurance requirements associated with NASA space-flight hardware fabrication and to provide guidance to CFA scientific investigators in defining, proposing, and conducting instrumentation projects with quality assurance requirements.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Help the QA Manager develops quality assurance requirements for SAO spaceborne hardware projects which will satisfy NASA quality assurance requirements for spaceflight hardware.
Work with the QA Manager to implement a Quality Assurance Plan for assigned projects which will serve as the primary control instrument for the duration of the project. The plan will be based upon consideration of the technical and manufacturing aspects of production and related engineering design and materials, will comply with the project's contractual requirements.
Implements and assures conformance with contractual quality assurance requirements by controlling all work operations and manufacturing processes including inspections and tests.
Supports the review of Non-Conforming Materials Reports (NMR's) for overall trends or conditions affecting project quality which may not be readily apparent from an evaluation of individual incidents.
Conducts onsite surveys of vendors and/or subcontractors, to assure that all components, materials and manufacturing processes satisfy project quality requirements. Establishes and monitors a vendor rating system.
Initiates and implements procedures to rapidly assess and correct assignable conditions affecting program quality. Corrective action will extend to the performance of all suppliers and vendors.
Maintains knowledge of state of the art in design techniques, materials, and fabrication processes. Evaluates conceptual designs from scientific investigators or senior engineering staff for acceptability under NASA quality requirements. Makes recommendations to scientific and senior engineering staff for design modifications necessary to achieve end item quality.
Represents SAO with the QA manager to NASA and other contracting and cooperating agencies and organizations in all activities associated with quality assurance. Serves on technical committees and age