Product Assurance Specialist

UK Research and Innovation; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organisation in Edinburgh is looking for a Product Assurance Specialist to join the Quality team. In this role, you will manage product assurance activities for key space projects. You will ensure compliance with quality standards, review project specifications, and provide expertise in product data management. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in a STEM subject and experience in regulated industries, particularly in space technology. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and comprehensive employee benefits.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Excellent pension scheme

Employee discounts

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in formal quality management systems like ECSS or ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with space industry technical standards (ECSS, NASA).
• Understanding mechanical, optical, electronics, and software engineering aspects.

Responsibilities

• Provide PA expertise during product design phase.
• Contribute to safety analysis and system specifications.
• Ensure compliance with Product Assurance Plans.

Skills

Experience in a lead Product Assurance role

Good people and organisational skills

Clear communication in English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM subject

Job description

Job Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £58,346 per annum

Hours: Full‑Time (We understand the importance of work‑life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Contract Type: Open‑Ended

Location: UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world‑leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About the Role

We are currently seeking a Product Assurance Specialist (PA) to join the UKATC Quality team. The role will carry out product assurance activities across the UKATC project portfolio, which includes the development and delivery of a key subsystem for the world’s first space‑based gravitational wave observatory and equipment for the ESO Extremely Large Telescope. Working with other team members you will hold key responsibilities for product assurance activities on this equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing PA expertise throughout the product design and development phase to ensure compliance to quality standards and defined product assurance requirements.
• Contributing to and approval of system requirements specification and verification including safety, system failure, hazard and reliability engineering and analysis.
• Providing PA expertise, review and participation in project gateway reviews, including preparation and follow‑up activity.
• Maintaining Product Assurance Plans and managing their application.
• Interacting with consortium partners, suppliers and the customer on Product Assurance matters including providing appropriate support and auditing.
• Ensuring robust Product Data Management (PDM) and Configuration Item Data List (CIDL) management.
• Contributing to the Engineering Change Request process and chairing of the change review and control board.
• Implementing contamination control and cleanroom quality processes, critical for space hardware assembly and optical systems.

Shortlisting Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a STEM subject, or equivalent professional development.
• Responsibility and competence to the requirements of Professional Registration e.g. CQP or suitable equivalent.
• Experience in a lead Product Assurance role within a formal quality management system meeting the requirements of European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS), ISO 9001, or other similarly highly regulated industry.
• Experience of relevant space industry technical and quality standards and product assurance principles (such as ECSS, ESCC, NASA, MIL) or demonstration of equivalent transferrable knowledge and experience from another highly regulated industry.
• Experience of leading and reviewing technical work and/or project or product conformance documentation; and participation in project gateway reviews, engineering change control, non‑conformance management and processes, product data management, safety and reliability, documenting and maintaining evidence of compliance.
• Understands some of the main engineering aspects (e.g. mechanical, optical, electronics, software) and the key physical and engineering challenges of building equipment for space flight. Including environmental qualification (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock).
• Evidence of good people and organisational skills including effective time management, organising and prioritisation, review responsibility for the work of others, attention to detail and teamwork.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication in English.

Employee Benefits

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
• Flexible working hours
• An excellent average salary pension scheme
• Employee shopping/travel discounts
• Learning and development opportunities

About Us

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world‑leading position in research and innovation.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re‑run security clearance as required during the course of employment.