Chief Quality Architect for Defence Hardware

Hypersonica GmbH; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

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Autonomy

No micromanagement

Impactful defence project

Job summary

Hypersonica is seeking a senior quality leader to build and lead the UK quality function across design, supply chain, manufacturing, assembly, test and production. You will design a lean QMS aligned to AS9100 and drive the certification pathway with audits, documentation, and management reviews.

You’ll embed quality into engineering and operations from day one, define controls for prototype through production, manage nonconformance and CAPA, and collaborate with suppliers, customers, and

Qualifications

• Senior quality leader with aerospace/defence experience.
• Proven ability to build or reshape an AS9100–based QMS.
• Experience across full product lifecycle from design to production.
• Deep familiarity with AS9100, configuration control, CAPA, FAI and supplier quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK quality function across design, supply chain, manufacturing, assembly, test and production.
• Design and implement a lean QMS aligned to AS9100.
• Own the pathway to AS9100 certification, including audits, documentation, and management reviews.
• Define minimum credible quality controls for prototype to production hardware.
• Embed quality into engineering and operations from day one.
• Own nonconformance, MRB, concessions, deviations, CAPA and root‑cause processes.
• Build the supplier quality operating model with audits, first article inspection and supplier qualification.
• Establish product and process quality controls across manufacturing and assembly.
• Lead quality readiness gates across design reviews and production readiness.
• Act as senior quality authority in high‑consequence decisions.
• Build audit‑ready systems to ensure evidence exists for delivery.
• Engage with customers, certification bodies, auditors, suppliers and defence stakeholders.
• Create concise quality metrics used by leadership.
• Build and lead future UK quality team.
• Cultivate a culture where quality is owned by everyone.

Skills

Quality leadership

Aerospace/defence

AS9100 knowledge

QMS implementation

Supplier quality

Tools

AS9100

Job description

Hypersonica is seeking a senior quality leader to build and lead the UK quality function across design, supply chain, manufacturing, assembly, test and production. You will design a lean QMS aligned to AS9100 and drive the certification pathway with audits, documentation, and management reviews.

You’ll embed quality into engineering and operations from day one, define controls for prototype through production, manage nonconformance and CAPA, and collaborate with suppliers, customers, and