Group Lead - Product Quality and Test

Scientific Systems Company Inc. (SSCI) is seeking an experienced Product Quality and Test Group Lead to build and lead a high‑performance quality organization for SSCI’s autonomy software and integrated mission‑system products. As our software is deployed across multiple OEM unmanned aircraft platforms, this role ensures reliability, consistency, and readiness at scale.

You will oversee quality engineering, test operations, field validation, release readiness, and compliance with SSCI’s ISO‑aligned Quality Management System This leader establishes SSCI’s long‑term product quality strategy and owns execution across the Solutions Division.

You will define and lead the quality foundation for SSCI’s next-generation autonomy offerings across multiple OEM platforms — directly impacting mission success, reliability, and customer trust. As SSCI expands its licensed software model, this role is central to ensuring our products meet the highest industry and operational standards.

Essential Functions:

Leadership and Strategy

• Establish and execute SSCI’s enterprise product quality strategy for autonomy and mission‑system products.

• Build, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary quality organization (QA/Test, Build & Release, Field Service Engineers).
• Develop quality metrics, dashboards, and continuous improvement programs aligned with SSCI’s QMS, including audits, corrective actions, and management reviews.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a United States DOD Security Clearance.

Quality Management and Compliance

• Own adherence to ISO‑aligned quality processes
• Ensure design verification, acceptance criteria, and release readiness are consistently defined, documented, and enforced.
• Oversee comprehensive verification and validation programs, including functional, regression, performance, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), sensor integration, and flight testing.
• Ensure readiness of simulation environments, test equipment, and multi‑platform test infrastructure.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with engineering, program management, field operations, and OEM partners to align quality expectations across diverse aircraft systems.

• Ensure field test results, customer feedback, and OEM integration challenges feed into continuous quality improvement loops.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify operational risks, technical unknowns, and maturity gaps.

• Drive standardization, scalability, and automation across all quality and test workflows.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 9+ years of experience in product quality, test engineering, systems verification, or related technical roles.
• 5+ years leading technical teams (QA/Test, release, integration, or similar).
• Experience establishing or scaling quality programs for complex SW/HW systems such as autonomy, aerospace, robotics, or mission‑critical platforms.
• Experience working with structured testing methodologies, validation planning, and multi‑platform compatibility testing.
• Experience working with ISO 9001 processes and QMS-related documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with flight‑critical or aviation autonomy systems.
• Experience supporting government or defense programs.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, DevSecOps, simulation tools, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Excellent communication and organizational leadership skills.

• Salary: $133,400 - $183,900 (Depends on Experience)
• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Free Food & Snacks
• Wellness Resources
• Summer 9/80 work schedule