Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

MBDA Missile Systems; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation is seeking an experienced Principal Quality Assurance Engineer based in Stevenage. The role involves overseeing project quality planning, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and supporting technology transfer across European teams. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills and experience with quality assurance methodologies. This opportunity combines robust professional growth with engaging challenges on international projects.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Maximum pension contribution of up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days

Enhanced parental leave provisions

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Qualifications

• Experience with QA problem solving and improvement methods (8D, RCA, DMAIC).
• Ability to inspire change and work in a matrix organisation.
• Strong organisation, communication, and social skills.

Responsibilities

• Review and maintain Project Quality Planning documentation.
• Ensure compliance to Business Management System procedures.
• Lead product non-conformance investigation and reporting.

Skills

Quality Assurance problem solving

Analytical skills

Proactive communication

Self-motivation

Education

HNC/HND in Engineering or Quality Assurance

Tools

Excel

SAP QM system

Job description

Overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Quality Assurance professional to join an established Quality team within the Force Protection Sector. This role offers the successful candidate excellent prospects and a diverse range of responsibilities covering the complete product lifecycle. You will play a pivotal role within the Quality team with the aim of ensuring all core Quality Assurance activities are met, as well as the potential to work with domestic and international colleagues on projects involving transfer of technology.

This is an outstanding opportunity to network with and see a large variety of MBDA's functions and activities across all sites. The role will involve working on a multi-national project, as well as with an established Quality network preventing/minimising product non-conformance, supporting smooth equipment delivery, assuring reliable products in Production and continually growing the happiness of our customers.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave - enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more

The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Quality professional to join MBDA during a period of sustained growth. The Project you will be joining is a multi-national collaboration at the forefront of MBDA's portfolio. The role of Principal Quality Assurance Engineer is pivotal in the delivery of the product through the later phase of development and into series production, with additional challenges around the transfer of technology to our European sister company.

Role responsibilities

• Review, give and maintain Project Quality Planning documentation.
• Ensure compliance to Business Management System (BMS) procedures is maintained.
• Act as delegate of the Project Product Assurance Manager (PAM).
• Act as External Customer for Product/ Hardware Quality issues/ concerns and internal acceptance activities.
• Provide support to on and off site Customer Product Acceptance activities.
• Represent Quality at the Project Non-Conformance Review Panels.
• Act as the Key point of contact for the Project PAM.
• Report on any escapes to our External Customers.
• Support product life cycle reviews are planned, carried out and actions handled in accordance with the MBDA BMS processes.
• Lead product non-conformance and facilitate implementation of non-conformance process.
• Support/facilitate design and manufacturing Quality Investigations.
• Provide non-conformance data analysis and summary reports into senior management reviews.
• Proactively identify, communicate and mitigate Quality risks and issues to reduce risk and increase customer happiness.
• Participate in process improvement and facilitate local flash audits, providing compliance and process improvement ideas.
• Plan and facilitate quality focused micro training to increase quality process awareness, efficiencies and proficiencies within the Project teams.
• Provide support to the transfer of technology process.
• Drive Quality Culture awareness through the Project team.

What we're looking for from you

• Ideally HNC/HND in Engineering or Quality Assurance is desirable, or equivalent work experience.
• Ideally a practitioner of current QA problem solving and improvement methods (8D, RCA, DMAIC, etc.)
• A high degree of self-motivation, autonomy and ability to work proactively, with excellent organisation, communication & social skills.
• An ability to inspire change, a respectful great teammate, comfortable working in a matrix organisation.
• Strong analytical skills; ability to run reports in Excel, use SAP QM system, and document management tools.
• Continuous improvement awareness and initiative to deliver improvements.
• Ability to understand and respect cultural differences.

Our company

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more...

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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