Principal Product Assurance Manager

Holt Executive Ltd; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Product Assurance Manager to lead assurance across flagship space missions in Oxford. The successful candidate will have over 5 years' experience in Product and Quality Assurance, particularly within the aerospace sector. Responsibilities include leading assurance activities, reviewing technical materials, and mentoring junior staff. The position offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements along with comprehensive benefits, including generous holiday and healthcare.

Benefits

Flexible working around core hours

Optional 9/75 working pattern

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private healthcare

Relocation allowance

Life insurance and long-term sick pay

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Product Assurance and/or Quality Assurance, ideally within space or aerospace.
• Ability to lead teams and ensure compliance with assurance requirements.
• Strong technical understanding of high-reliability systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Product and Quality Assurance within project teams.
• Provide PA/QA support across multiple programmes.
• Review materials, parts, and processes against PA requirements.

Skills

Product Assurance

Quality Assurance

Technical understanding of high-reliability systems

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has opened for an experienced Product Assurance Manager to take a leading role across one or more flagship space missions. This position offers the chance to contribute to both flight hardware and software, as well as ground systems, within a cutting‑edge In‑Orbit Service, Assembly, and Manufacturing programme.

This role is available at Senior or Principal level depending on experience.

You will be responsible for driving Product and Quality Assurance across complex engineering projects, working closely with project managers, engineering teams, suppliers, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Product and Quality Assurance activities within project teams
• Provide PA / QA support across multiple programmes
• Coordinate with customer PA / QA representatives when required
• Support supplier and subcontractor assurance activities, including audits and process assessments
• Review materials, parts, and processes against PA and technical requirements
• Produce assurance documentation and lead implementation of project assurance plans
• Witness manufacturing and testing activities, including work conducted at third‑party facilities
• Maintain quality control records and related data
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the organisation’s Quality Management System
• Support proposal preparation with assurance inputs
• Review work produced by other PA Managers and provide constructive feedback
• Mentor junior team members and delegate tasks as Project PA Lead
• Ensure project work progresses efficiently and in line with programme requirements

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5+ years in Product Assurance and / or Quality Assurance, ideally within the space or aerospace sectors
• Ability to lead functional groups and ensure compliance with assurance requirements
• Strong technical understanding of high‑reliability systems
• Logical, practical approach to problem‑solving
• Comfortable working independently as well as within multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent organisational and schedule management abilitiesAdaptability to shifting priorities and project changes
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating across teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in technical English

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with national space agencies
• QMS Internal Auditor certification or third‑party reviewer experience
• Experience in ground segment product assurance
• Experience in software product assurance

Benefits

• Work alongside a highly skilled, diverse, and international team developing innovative space technologies
• Flexible working around core hours
• Optional 9 / 75 working pattern
• Hybrid working
• 25 days’ holiday (rising annually to a max of 28) + 8 bank holidays
• Life insurance and long‑term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance
• Modern office and cleanroom facilities
• Regular team and social events