R&D Quality Assurance Engineer, Steward Observatory

This R&D Quality Assurance Engineer, Steward Observatory position is with University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. 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.