Aerospace Design QA Lead: Airworthiness & Quality

Safran UK; Pitstone; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran UK is seeking a Lead Design Quality Assurance Engineer at our Pitstone site. You will oversee design assurance to meet EASA/CAA Part 21J, DOH, and customer requirements, driving defect prevention and continuous improvement across the lifecycle.

Responsibilities include leading design reviews, audits, and KPI development, with coaching of QA engineers and collaboration with Engineering, Operations and Supply Chain to ensure compliant, safe, producible designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, science or engineering.
• 5–10 years in aerospace engineering, design & development, or quality roles.
• Proficiency with ISO 9001 and AS9100 QMS deployment.
• Experience with EASA/CAA Part 21J.
• Auditing experience; lead auditor training preferred.
• APQP specialist with PPAP, FMEA, and MSA knowledge.
• Problem-solving: 8D, RCCA, FRACA; DMAIC Black Belt desired.
• Configuration and data management experience.
• Ability to interpret drawings, CAD models and specs.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure designs meet safety, regulatory and customer requirements before production.
• Plan and deliver design assurance per Part 21J and DOH to achieve airworthiness.
• Define defect prevention and RCA strategy across the product lifecycle.
• Lead QA activities per EASA/CAA Part 21J and DOH.
• Develop and implement quality strategies, KPIs and performance measures.
• Act as the primary quality escalation point for customers and regulators.
• Lead design reviews (PDR/CDR) and milestone adherence for programs.
• Drive defect prevention and corrective actions (RCCA/FRACA/Six Sigma).
• Review and validate documentation to support certification and requirements.
• Lead audits, manage non-conformances and close corrective actions.
• Define QA support for NPI with cross-functional teams.
• Coach and mentor Design Quality Assurance Engineers.
• Influence leadership to deploy QA best practices across production.
• Represent the business in customer/regulatory meetings.

Skills

APQP

FMEA

PPAP

Root Cause Analysis

AS9100

EASA Part 21J

Auditing

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, science, or engineering

Tools

ISO 9001

AS9100

EASA Part 21J

Auditing Techniques

Lead Auditor

Job description

Safran UK is seeking a Lead Design Quality Assurance Engineer at our Pitstone site. You will oversee design assurance to meet EASA/CAA Part 21J, DOH, and customer requirements, driving defect prevention and continuous improvement across the lifecycle.

Responsibilities include leading design reviews, audits, and KPI development, with coaching of QA engineers and collaboration with Engineering, Operations and Supply Chain to ensure compliant, safe, producible designs.