Maher Rassas
Quality Manager
A Quality Manager and Subject Matter Expert with 40+ years of cross-industry quality leadership — from NASA Space Shuttle hardware development at GE through multimillion-dollar NASA programs at Honeywell to ASQ Senior Fellow recognition — Maher brings deep aerospace, automotive, and international consulting experience to NASA Commercial Aviation Services audits and SMQC's ISO 9001 quality management.
Key Credentials
Selected highlights from 40+ years across NASA, aerospace, automotive, and international consulting
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer, BSME
AS9100 Lead Auditor with international experience
NASA Mission Assurance Expertise (15+ years)
NASA Project Engineering hardware development for Space Shuttle and Space Station programs (20+ years)
NASA Mars Curiosity Mission Assurance instrument lead
Reliability, clean room, and ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) analysis and implementation
Career Details
Professional history and key responsibilities
2021 – Present
Show Me Quality Consulting
Quality Manager and Subject Matter Expert
Quality Manager (2022 – Present):
- Ensures SMQC's quality management system is compliant with ISO 9001:2015 standard
- Responsible for internal auditing, process improvements, conducting management reviews, updating QMS documents, and keeping corrective actions current
Subject Matter Expert (2021 – Present):
- Supports SMQC customers by performing assessments for NASA in Commercial Aviation Services (CAS) at selected company locations in the U.S. and internationally
- Conducts supplier audits in support of NASA programs
2020 – 2021
Millennium Engineering and Integration
Principal Mission Assurance Engineer
- NASA GSFC representative responsible for oversight of spacecraft and satellite design, testing, and integration activities at Northrop Grumman in Gilbert, Arizona
2008 – 2019
Arizona State University
Mission Assurance Manager
- Responsible for quality and continuous improvement at the School of Earth and Space Exploration for several NASA projects
2003 – 2007
ATSCO Products
Operations Director
Led waste elimination driving continuous improvement for a large automotive parts manufacturer with over 150 employees. Performed managerial and hands-on duties for production operations including:
- Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, and ISO TS 16949 quality management systems
- Supplier relations
- Purchasing, receiving, packaging, and shipping
- Development and implementation of lean projects using 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, and value stream concepts
2001 – 2003
AMSAFE Aviation
Quality Manager
- Management of quality operations and functions including eighteen direct reports
- Implemented effective lean, 5S, Six Sigma, and ISO 9000 programs internally and at suppliers to ensure the highest product quality
- Led certification to ISO 9001 and AS 9100, continuous improvement, internal audits, Six Sigma DMAIC problem solving method, supplier control and development, process improvement, statistical analysis, and lean manufacturing
1998 – 2000
Kaiser Aluminum
Technical Services Director
- Directed the quality, technical, and sales departments in an aerospace manufacturing facility, reporting to the general manager
- Developed, coordinated, and implemented strategic plan elements and business direction as related to quality, sales, and technical support
- Established lean manufacturing using 5S, Kaizen, and Kanban with other quality functions and built a strong quality team
- Developed and implemented an effective internal audit program and ISO 9000 upgrade preparation
- Analyzed market trends relating to product applications, technical requirements, and market share
1995 – 1998
Profile Consulting
Management Consultant
- Established the Middle East division for Profile Consulting, an international quality management firm based in the UK
- Offered training and consultation services in all aspects of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, ISO 9000, total quality management, process improvement, and project management
- Identified and selected local partners and support staff to provide consulting services
- Conducted and facilitated ISO 9000 and process improvement seminars for over 40 companies to enhance their quality capabilities and management systems
1984 – 1994
Honeywell
Project Manager
- Responsible for project management of several multimillion-dollar programs for NASA in space, defense, and commercial applications
- Managed quality, administrative, technical, and cost aspects of programs
- Formulated business development and strategic planning relative to the space and missiles department
1979 – 1984
General Electric — NASA Johnson Space Center
Project Engineer
- Management of engineering projects for NASA's Space Shuttle program — including budget and cost
- Directed the design, development, and qualification of space shuttle hardware and experiments
- Maintained detailed and extensive knowledge of NASA standards, requirements, operational methodology, and programmatic requirements
Education
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
BS, Mechanical Engineering
Professional Training & Certifications
ASQ Senior Fellow
Harvard Business Review Fellow
AS 9100 D Lead Auditor
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
ISO 9001 Internal Auditor
IRCA Certified QMS Auditor
Six Sigma DMAIC — Green Belt Certified
Lean Enterprise / 5S systems and implementation (Kaizen)
Total Quality Management / Leadership implementation and practices
Train the Trainer
Dynamic Change Leadership
Work With Our Team
Ready to bring mission-critical expertise to your organization? Connect with us today.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATIONContact Us For
Free Consultation Call
Your supply chain challenges require proven expertise. Connect with our team today and let us show you how decades of experience across aerospace, nuclear, healthcare, and manufacturing can solve your toughest problems.