Quality and Product Assurance Manager

Rocket Lab; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Cosmos is seeking a Quality and Product Assurance Manager to enhance processes for high-quality space hardware and software. This role involves collaboration with stakeholders, advocating for customer needs, and driving continuous improvement in production and supply chain aspects. The successful candidate will work on-site with some remote flexibility, contributing to the industrialization of next-generation satellites.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems applied to the space sector.
• Ability to identify and take quantified risks in a fast-changing environment.
• Proactive approach and ability to operate autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Drive creation and continuous improvement of processes for high-performance space hardware.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to establish cross-departmental processes.
• Advocate for customer needs in product design and delivery.

Skills

Quality management systems

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Risk management

Team management

Job description

Working for Open Cosmos

Aim high, go beyond! At Open Cosmos, we are solving the world's biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments, and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before. Ready for the challenge? Then read on...

Working in the Quality and Product Assurance Team

At Open Cosmos, our Quality and Product Assurance (QPA) team plays a key role in driving continuous improvement across all our operations and facilities. As the QPA Manager, you'll be at the forefront of shaping how we work—bringing industry best practices to life and proactively identifying ways to boost efficiency, reliability, and quality in everything we do.

This role is also central to representing our customers' voices within the company. You'll ensure their needs and expectations are clearly understood and thoughtfully integrated into the design, development, and delivery of our products and services. By advocating for the customer every step of the way, you'll help ensure the success of our missions and build strong, lasting relationships based on trust and satisfaction. Your work will be instrumental in making sure every product we deliver not only meets expectations but aims to exceed them.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking a passionate and pragmatic Quality and Product Assurance Manager to drive the creation and continuous improvement of processes for developing and producing high-performance, high-quality space hardware and software.

This hands-on, technical role will significantly impact production and supply chain aspects, supporting the industrialization of our next-generation satellites.

The successful candidate will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to establish cross-departmental processes and synergies. The role requires a strong commitment to continuous improvement and pushing technological boundaries, aligned with our company values and vision.

What you need to be successful

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems applied to the space sector.
• Knowledge of how to apply ECSS standards and ISO9001 practically.
• Able to identify and take quantified risks and make decisions in a fast-changing environment so we can satisfy the customer needs.
• Strong communication skills and capability in managing other people, ensuring high motivation levels of the team and leveraging their performance to deliver.
• A proactive approach to work with the ability to operate autonomously, self-directed, and self-motivated.
• Able to use a combination of logic, analysis, and past experiences to solve problems effectively.

Working conditions/arrangements

This is an on-site position that occasionally will allow the successful candidate to work remotely from home. However, the following conditions need to be met:

• Due to the nature of this role, you will be required in the office/lab at least 2-3 days per week, fluctuating based on business needs.
• During qualification test campaigns, you will be required in the office/lab for longer stints (e.g., 2 weeks consecutively).
• While working from home, if an emergency arises, you may be required to come to the office/lab on short notice.

Department Operations Role Product Assurance Manager Locations Harwell, UK