Airbus UpNext - Quality Manager (m/f)

Airbus; Cazaux; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus UpNext in France seeks a Quality Operational Manager for conversion and flight test campaigns, based in Cazaux near Bordeaux. You will own the Quality Plan, lead audits, and ensure safety and compliance across the test program.

The role requires deep expertise in aerospace quality processes, hands-on problem solving, and collaboration with Aircraft Manager, MAP, and flight test teams. Expect occasional travel to Toulouse.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years as Quality Operational Manager in aircraft conversion and flight test campaigns.
• Knowledge of Lean, PPS, or similar quality methodologies.
• FTI and GTR process knowledge is a plus.
• French language mandatory; English at intermediate level.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for the Quality Plan and Configuration Management Plan.
• Responsible for the Quality Audit Plan and running audits across the organization.
• Support audit for Permit to Fly and liaise with authorities to present aircraft status.
• Ensure quality processes are applied during ground tests and flight test campaigns.
• Be the Quality representative at Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Cazaux.
• Close quality points in ALB tool when Airbus responsibility applies.

Skills

Aircraft knowledge

Quality assurance

Lean PPS

FTI/GTR

Safety compliance

Job description

Job Description: With the development of future Airbus programs accelerating, Airbus UpNext is launching the High Aspect Ratio Wing Demonstrator. This high-stakes R&T flight platform has a dual mission: deliver flight-proven breakthroughs directly to future Airbus programs, and inject game-changing ideas to reshape how Airbus Commercial builds aircraft for the next 30 years. Operating as a \"startup within the giant\", this program flies a heavily instrumented subsonic demonstrator platform to pioneer advanced flight physics technologies, aiming for a significant block fuel reduction. In parallel, we leverage an exclusive partnership with Mistral AI, deploying advanced AI capabilities to radically accelerate our development cycle. Based in Cazaux (close to Bordeaux) within a flat, fast-paced project organization, this role requires close collaboration with the leadership team, industrial & MAP team, Aircraft Manager, Systems team. This position comes with a limited contract (CDI-C) linked to the deliverable of the demo (estimated end date - end of July 2029), starting ASAP.

The Mission

You will work within the Programme team, with the main responsibilities as below:

• Be accountable for the Quality Plan and Configuration Management Plan
• Responsible of the Quality Audit Plan and running the audit through the organization & teams
• Support audit for Permit to Fly and liaise with different authorities to present the aircraft status together with Programme Management
• Ensure quality processes are applied during the working parties, ground tests & flight test campaign
• Be the Quality representative at Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Cazaux
• Responsible for closure of quality point in ALB tool when under Airbus Responsibility (GTP, Software loading)
• Support A/C to Flight test Organization for Hand-over and TLB acceptance
• Ensure deviation/concessions are treated on-time and tracked appropriately
• Support the aircraft manager in his/her daily work
• Participate to the daily operational review
• Ensure troubleshooting process in place and followed by the different teams: Autonomy, System, Test & Indus
• During the ground & flight test phase, key role to ensure all processes are respected and stamped any activities
• Act as safety ambassador and ensure HSE rules are applied, supporting Plan de Prevention being written, applied & signed
• Lead training plan for employees being in Cazaux and ensure adherence with Plan de Prevention

You will work very closely with the Aircraft Manager, MAP, Engineering & flight test teams, and cross-functionally with the Airbus Teams, as well as external stakeholders. The tasks may evolve during the course of the project, so being flexible is important. Travels to Toulouse , once a month to be anticipated.

Your Boarding Pass

• Aircraft knowledge and previous experience on being Quality Operational Manager in conversion & flight test campaign (minimum 10 years)
• Knowledge on quality methodology: Lean, PPS or other is a plus
• FTI, GTR process knowledge and previous experience is definitely a plus
• Your super power is to be pragmatic while no compromise on safety
• Ready to step out of your comfort zone
• Autonomy, Adaptability, Availability, Accountability
• Team-Player mindset
• Hands-on and solution oriented attitude
• Values of transparency, courage, humility, empathy
• French is mandatory, English : intermediate level mandatory

Feel the fire in your belly when you read this?

About us

Founded in 2017, Airbus UpNext is actively shaping the future of aerospace by using demonstrators to evaluate, mature and validate new products and services.

Our purpose is to pioneer game-changing technologies with Airbus.

In this role, you will embody the core Airbus UpNext values:

• Care for Each Other: Ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Be Simple: Finding the most efficient path to success.
• Be Audacious: Challenging the status quo to make the unthinkable real.
• Be Open: Collaborative solution-finding across diverse teams.
• Speed of Execution: Moving at the speed of a startup.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company: Airbus UpNext SAS Employment Type: Fixed term ------- Experience Level: Professional Job Family: Quality Assurance

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