Project Quality Assurance Engineer

Ultra; Taplow; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Scheme

Private Medical Cover

25 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays)

Pension Contribution

4 x Life Assurance Cover

Flexible working hours with 1pm Friday

Flexible benefits: cycle to work, will

Security Clearance Allowance

Job summary

Ultra in Maidenhead is seeking a Project Quality Engineer to develop and implement project quality plans, ensuring contractual and customer requirements are met. You will drive audits (AS9101) and manage non-conformances, CAPAs, and continual improvement with cross-functional teams.

The role requires degree qualification or equivalent, aerospace/defence quality experience, and ability to obtain DV/SC clearance. Hybrid working is available and security considerations are part of the role.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified or equivalent experience in quality, software, or mechanical engineering.
• Quality engineering experience within aerospace/defence or similarly regulated sectors.
• AS9100 internal auditing experience; IRCA Lead Auditor preferred.
• Experience in business improvement and recognised frameworks.
• Eligibility to obtain UK security clearance; British citizens resident 5 years for SC clearance, 10 years for DV.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement project quality plans meeting business, customer and contractual requirements.
• Assure quality across assigned projects under the Director of Security, Quality & Compliance.
• Plan and conduct project, product and process audits per applicable standards (AS9101).
• Manage non-conformance, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with project, production and process teams to improve quality and efficiency.
• Maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders to promote a quality culture.

Skills

Quality engineering

Root cause analysis

Auditing

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

AS9100

IRCA Lead Auditor

Job description

This role will be based at our Cyber Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead. Hybrid working is available. Candidates must be willing and able to obtain & maintain DV Security Clearance. Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide. As Project Quality Engineer, you are responsible for developing and implementing project quality plans that meet business, customer and contractual requirements. Working under the delegated authority of the Director of Security, Quality & Compliance, the role assures quality across assigned projects and supports the mandatory quality elements of the Business Management System, and helps ensure agreed quality objectives and deliverables are consistently achieved. Develop, implement and maintain project and product quality plans to ensure customer flow-down requirements, contractual obligations and applicable quality standards are met. Define, communicate and manage project quality assurance activities through approved quality plans and effective quality controls. Plan and conduct project, product and process audits in line with applicable standards, including AS9101, to confirm compliance with customer, statutory, regulatory and business management system requirements. Carry out in-process, final and first article inspections to verify that defined processes consistently deliver products that meet specification. Manage non-conformance reporting, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions to support continual improvement and prevent recurrence. Work with project, production and process teams to improve operating processes, product yields and overall quality performance. Review, improve and, where appropriate, implement quality processes within Cyber to ensure products and services meet customer needs efficiently and cost-effectively. Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support effective quality outcomes. Promote a quality-focused culture across the business.

• Degree-qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent verifiable experience, ideally in a business, quality, software engineering or mechanical engineering discipline.
• Proven quality engineering experience within the aerospace, defence or similarly regulated sector.
• Qualified internal auditor with experience of AS9100; IRCA-approved Lead Auditor qualification is preferred.
• Experience working in a business improvement environment, with knowledge of recognised improvement frameworks.
• Experience in the use of root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies., Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.
  At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible.
  Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:
• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Cover
• 25 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days
• Pension Contribution
• 4 x Life Assurance Cover
• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more
• Security Clearance Allowance where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance