Lead Design Quality Assurance Engineer – Full Time – Pitstone

Catering; Pitstone; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Electrical & Power in Buckinghamshire is seeking a Lead Design Quality Assurance Engineer to guarantee airworthiness and regulatory compliance across the design lifecycle. You will drive PPAP, FMEA, RCCA and DOH-aligned QA activities, lead audits, and coach engineers while collaborating with Production, Supply Chain and Programme teams to secure 100% conformance to EASA/CAA Part 21J requirements.

You will influence leaders, coordinate design reviews (PDR/CDR), and implement quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, science, or engineering desirable.
• 5–10 years’ experience in aerospace or equivalent in engineering, design & development, or quality.
• Proficiency in ISO9001, AS9100 QMS deployment and implementation.
• Previous experience with EASA/ CAA part 21J.
• Auditing experience; lead auditor training preferred.
• APQP Specialist with PPAP, FMEA, and MSA proficiency.
• Problem solving using 8D, RCCA, FRACA; Six Sigma DMAIC Black Belt desired.
• Config & data management experience; ability to read engineering drawings and CAD models.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA activities to ensure design safety, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Plan and deliver design assurance oversight per Part 21J DOH requirements.
• Drive defect prevention, RCCA, and continuous improvement across development lifecycle.
• Review design documentation, changes and compliance evidence for certification.

Skills

APQP

FMEA

PPAP

Root Cause Analysis

Auditing

AS9100

EASA Part 21J

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, science, or engineering

Job description

Lead Design Quality Assurance Engineer
Pitstone

Skills: APQP, FMEA, PPAP, Root Cause Analysis, AS9100, EASA / CAA Part 21J, Auditing

Safran – Here, we craft excellence together.

We are looking for passionate individuals to join our team as a Lead Design Quality Assurance Engineer at our Pitstone site.

Safran Electrical & Power is one of the world’s leaders in aircraft electrical systems. It is a key player in the equipment electrification & in the electric and hybrid propulsion sector. Mastering the on-board energy system, the company designs and provides modular, innovative and optimized architectures and solutions.

Safran – Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey – and we’d love you to be a part of it. As a global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future.

The Lead Design QA Engineer ensures engineering designs meet safety, regulatory (EASA, CAA) and customer requirements before production commences focusing on risk mitigation and process compliance and engages effectively with all involved regulatory bodies.
Lead engineer is responsible for planning and delivery of design assurance oversight in line with Part 21J airworthiness requirements and Design Organization Handbook (DOH) requirements applicable to the customer products, responsible for achieving 100% compliance with airworthiness.
Lead engineer will engage with heads of production, engineering, configuration and support functions defining strategy for defect prevention, root cause analysis and continuous improvement across the full product development lifecycle.
Lead Design Quality Assurance activities in accordance with EASA/CAA Part 21J airworthiness requirements and the Design Organisation Handbook (DOH).
Develop and implement quality strategies, performance measures, and KPIs to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and business requirements.
Act as the primary quality escalation point for customers, project teams, and regulatory authorities, maintaining continued airworthiness and product compliance.
Lead design reviews, including PDR, CDR, and development programme milestones, ensuring quality, safety, reliability, and producibility are embedded throughout the design lifecycle.
Drive defect prevention, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement activities through RCCA, FRACA, and corrective action programmes.
Review and validate technical documentation, design changes, and compliance evidence to support certification and customer requirements.
Lead technical and process audits, oversee non-conformance management, and approve corrective action closure activities.
Define quality support requirements for NPI programmes and work closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Supplier Quality, and Programme teams to achieve programme objectives.
Coach, mentor, and develop Design Quality Assurance Engineers while identifying training needs and opportunities for process improvement.
Influence operational leaders to ensure quality assurance processes and best practices are effectively deployed across production environments.
Represent the business in customer and regulatory meetings, providing quality leadership, performance reporting, and compliance updates.

Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, we understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective, and as an organisation, we are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone and are proudly a Disability Confident Employer.

We also know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don’t meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert, however, we encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role.

We will consider all applicants who meet the minimum essential requirements regardless of their identity or background.

Please let us know in your cover letter if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation. We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible – including guaranteed interviews under the Disability Confident Scheme for those that qualify.

Get involved:

We also have a number of groups and forums onsite that you can get involved with, including Women at Safran, STEM ambassadors, Employee Forum, Charity Partnerships and Wellbeing Programs.

Our Wellbeing Program in Pitstone aims to place employee wellbeing at the heart of our business, and we integrate it within all that we do. The program is made up of four wellbeing committees; Healthy Minds, Physical, Social & Financial. Our enhanced family friendly policies re-enforce our commitment to providing a workplace that is both diverse and inclusive.

What You’ll Bring

Education & Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, science, or engineering highly desirable.
• 5 – 10 years’ experience in aerospace industry or equivalent at engineering, design & development, or quality positions.
• Proficiency in ISO9001, AS9100 QMS standards deployment and implementation.
• Previous experience working with EASA/ CAA part 21J.
• Experience in internal and external audit and auditing techniques, lead auditor trained preferred.
• APQP Specialist with demonstrated proficiency in PPAP, FMEA and MSA.
• Problem solving proficient.8D, RCCA, FRACA with Six Sigma DMAIC Black Belt being desired.
• Configuration and data management experience.
• Ability to interpret and explain engineering drawings, CAD models and technical specifications.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate technical, complex issues effectively.
• Ability to solve complex problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Experience with working in a new production environment.
• Demonstrated coaching and development skills

Salary:

Job Type: Permanent

Location: Buckinghamshire