Airbus UpNext - Quality Manager (m/f) (H/F)

AIRBUS UPNEXT SAS; La Teste-de-Buch; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus UpNext SAS in France is seeking a Quality Operational Manager to lead quality plans and audits for the High Aspect Ratio Wing Demonstrator. The role requires extensive aircraft knowledge and proven QA leadership in flight test campaigns, with emphasis on safety and cross‑functional collaboration.

Based in Cazaux near Bordeaux, the position is a CDI-C, limited to the demo deliverable with an estimated end date of July 2029, starting ASAP. Travel to Toulouse monthly is anticipated.

Qualifications

• Aircraft knowledge and previous experience as Quality Operational Manager in conversion & flight test campaigns.
• Lean, PPS or similar quality methodologies are a plus.
• FTI, GTR process knowledge is a plus.
• Pragmatic with a strong commitment to safety.
• Willing to adapt and work across functions.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the Quality Plan and Configuration Management Plan.
• Lead Quality Audit Plan and audits across the organization.
• Support permits to fly and liaise with authorities on aircraft status.
• Ensure quality processes are applied during ground and flight tests.
• Be the Quality representative at Final Assembly Line in Cazaux.
• Close quality points in ALB tool under Airbus responsibility.
• Support Hand-over to Flight Test Organization and TLB acceptance.
• Manage deviations/concessions and track resolutions.
• Assist Aircraft Manager in daily activities and participate in reviews.
• Ensure safety training plans and Plan de Prevention adherence.

Skills

Aircraft knowledge

Quality operations

Autonomy

Team-player

French language

English (intermediate)

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

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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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail] .

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.