Quality Assurance Lead (Special Process)

Safran Group; Cwmbran; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days holiday

Pension with salary sacrifice

Private medical cover

Cycle to work

Life assurance 4x

Benefits platform

Enhanced family leave

Share save schemes

Training and mobility

CSR activities

Job summary

Safran Seats UK in Wales (Cwmbran) seeks a Quality Assurance Lead (Special Process) to define and drive all aspects of Special Processes QA in development and sustaining phases. You will liaise with SST and cross-BU teams to harmonise processes, leading on-site, MRO and external supply chain QA activities.

You will own audits, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, and monitor KPIs while ensuring safety, quality and regulatory compliance across the UK business.

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent in Engineering/Manufacturing.
• Lean / Six Sigma knowledge.
• Mechanical or electrical engineering knowledge.
• AS9100 Lead Assessor / EASA Part 21/145 / NADCAP preferred.
• Knowledge of internal/external quality standards and non-conformity handling.
• 8D analysis, problem solving and reporting skills.
• Proven management experience in a similar role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain the Special Processes management framework across the company scope.
• Deliver audit plans for internal and external suppliers.
• Apply hygiene, safety and environmental instructions with focus on Special Processes.
• Perform qualification audits and coordinate with SQA/M&P for surveillance.
• Capture and manage auditor qualifications in ETQ.
• Coordinate stakeholders and ensure defined approach compliance.
• Approve and monitor Special Processes audit activities.
• Organize Special Processes reviews with Subject Matter Experts.
• Monitor and support Special Process quality KPIs.

Skills

Lean / 6 Sigma

Mechanical / electrical engineering

AS9100 Lead Assessor

EASA Part 21/145

NADCAP

Quality standards & non-conformity

8D problem solving

Management experience

Education

Engineering / Manufacturing degree or equivalent

Job description

Vacancy details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions.

Reference

2026-176989

Position description

Domain

Performance and Support

Job field / Job profile

Quality - Quality management

Job title

Quality Assurance Lead (Special Process)

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

Quality Assurance Lead (Special Process)

Cwmbran

Safran – Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey – and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

At Safran Seats, we are unique within aerospace, as we interface with both the world's biggest airlines and airframers alike, with the largest seats portfolio of all seats suppliers.

One day you could be liaising with one of the world's largest airframers, and the next, some of the biggest airline brands around the world!

In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran and Newport, Wales and Brackley, England.

Your role:

The purpose of this role is to define and lead the implementation of all aspects of Special Processes Quality Assurance in development and sustaining phases of programs at Seats GB for both the internal and external Supply Chain. You'll act as a liaison with SST and cross-BU on all aspects of Special Processes to ensure harmonisation and compliance.

As Quality Assurance Lead, you'll own and manage all Special Processes Quality Assurance operations (on-site / MRO / external supply chain).

It's a unique opportunity where you'll interact with Customers, Suppliers and Regulatory Bodies on all matters associated with Special Processes, acting as the primary focal point and lead for the UK business.

Key Responsibilities:

• In liaison with SST, other BUs and internal Functions as required, develop and sustain the SGB Special Processes management framework across the company scope
• Deliver Special Process Quality Assurance audit plan for both internal and external suppliers
• Be familiar with and apply hygiene, safety, and environmental instructions with specific focus on (but not only to) Special Processes
• Perform qualification audits (or surveillance actions), and coordinate other audit actors, e.g. SQA or M&P, to implement the qualification surveillance plan
• Ensure requirements for auditor qualifications are understood, and captured using ETQ to manage certification requirements
• Coordinate stakeholders from different functions and ensure compliance with the defined approach, e.g. SQA, M&P, IND
• Approve and monitor internal and supplier Special Processes undertaking audit activity
• Coordinate all stakeholders from the different sectors and ensure compliance with the defined approach
• Organize and lead Special Processes reviews with Subject Matter Experts
• Manage and monitor Special Process quality KPIs (DPU's, SNCRs, etc) and support

But what else? (benefits, specificities, etc.)

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:

• Competitive salary
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%.
• Private medical cover with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members.
• Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work
• 4 x Life Assurance
• Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection.
• Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee assistance programme
• Annual share save schemes.
• We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. Benefit from support through Safran University and our internal Training and Development Schools
• Get involved in our corporate social responsibility activities from sustainability initiatives, charity and fundraising, volunteering days, or supporting STEM activities at local schools and colleges nurturing the next generation of talent.

Candidate skills & requirements

What you'll bring:

• Degree level or equivalent in an Engineering / Manufacturing related discipline.
• Lean / 6 Sigma knowledge and general improvement tools
• Mechanical / Electrical Engineering knowledge
• Preferred AS9100 Lead Assessor, EASA Part 21/145, NADCAP
• Quality Rules: experience of internal/external quality standards and ability to identify non-conformity
• Knowledge of Special Process Health and Safety rules applicable to the scope 8D analysis, problem solving skills and report writing (inc analysis and decision making)
• Proven experience within a similar role / environment at a management level

We know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert. We encourage anybody to apply if you candemonstratea variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role.

Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the hiring process thatmay betterfacilitateyour participation.

We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.

Get involved:

We also have a number of groups and forums across our sites that you can get involved with, including Women at Safran, Diversity at Safran, Sports Clubs, STEM ambassadors, Employee Forum, Charity Partnerships and Wellbeing Programs.

Position location

Job location

Europe, UK, Wales

City (-ies)

Cwmbran