Quality Assurance Manager Aerospace Defense

ALTEN; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Pension Plan

Cycle to Work

Hybrid work model

Annual leave 24 days

Job summary

ALTEN is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to drive compliance with the ALTEN Delivery Framework across projects in Bristol, London, or Derby, with 2 days per week in Derby mandatory. You will lead QA activities, audits, and client relations to improve KPIs such as RFT and OTD, mentoring CL, PM, PD, and TD teams.

The role combines hands-on quality leadership with strategic process improvements, requiring 4+ years in quality or project management, preferably in aerospace, defense, or nuclear

Qualifications

• Knowledge of ISO 9001/EN 9100/ISO 27001/ISO 19443/ISO 61513.
• Experience in quality management and audits.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional quality initiatives.
• Experience in aerospace/space/defense or Nuclear sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with ALTEN Delivery Framework (ADF) and client expectations.
• Prepare and monitor Quality Assurance Plans (QAP) and audit readiness.
• Lead training for Cluster Leaders, Project Managers and Directors on compliance.

Skills

ISO Standards

4+ years experience

QA Management

JIRA

Tools

SM

Office 365

SharePoint

JIRA

Job description

Note : This role could be located anywhere between Bristol, London or Derby but 2 days/week in Derby are mandatory.

Who we are:

ALTEN is an engineering and technology consultancy services company. We are a leading Engineering and IT consultancy operating across 30 countries, making waves in all sectors: Aeronautics, Space, Defence, Security and naval, Automotive, Rail and mobility, Energy and environment, Life Sciences and health, Industrial Equipment and electronics, Telecoms, Banking, Finance & Insurance, Retail, Services & Medias, Public Services & Government. With a team of passionate, diligent, and agile engineers, we are united by a common purpose: building tomorrow’s world today. Day by day, we support our customers' development strategies as well as their technological and sustainability transformation.

1. Role Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) ensures that result-committed projects comply with the ALTEN Delivery Framework (ADF) and meet client expectations. This role focuses on quality KPIs, continuous improvement, audit preparation, and client relationship management to drive operational excellence and client satisfaction.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Compliance

• Anticipate contract renewals or tenders to support project acquisition.
• Contribute to drafting the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) and ensure compliance alignment.
• Attend internal project kick-off meetings.

Project Management Phase

• Understand the contractual framework and ensure the QAP is updated.
• Conduct regular follow-ups to assess ADF compliance and provide objective evaluations.
• Train and coach Cluster Leaders (CL), Project Managers (PM), Project Directors (PD), and Technical Directors (TD) on compliance requirements.
• Highlight compliance and elevate deviations from standards.

B. Client Relations

Managing Client Requirements

• Ensure client quality requirements are documented and integrated into project plans.
• Monitor changes to maintain continuous compliance.
• Address client complaints using root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective actions.

Communication and Reporting

• Serve as the primary liaison for quality-related issues between clients and ALTEN teams.
• Participate in client/ALTEN meetings (PRM/CRM) and contribute with presentations.
• Organize quality reviews and provide performance reports as required.

C. KPIs and Performance

Quality Dashboards

• Update dashboards with accurate and relevant data.
• Analyze KPIs (RFT, OTD, customer satisfaction) and prepare reports for stakeholders.
• Ensure data reliability and monitor performance to identify improvement areas.

Gap Analysis

• Communicate with ACQP Direction and Technical Direction on quality control.
• Identify trends and propose action plans to enhance performance.

Capitalizing on Best Practices

• Propose process, method, and tool adaptations for project monitoring.
• Share updates with QAMs and use structured methods (8D, 5M, FMEA, 5S, Six Sigma, 5WHY’s, Ishikawa).
• Facilitate lessons-learned sessions and document best practices.

Project Management

• Lead corrective/preventative action plans and engage stakeholders.
• Track non-compliances, conduct RCAs, and monitor actions.

E. External Audit

Preparation and Monitoring

• Support teams in audit preparation and follow up on corrective actions.

Auditor Relations

• Act as the interface between external auditors and project teams.

F. Additional Potential Missions

Sector Referent

• Lead a network for sharing best practices and audit learnings.
• Harmonize ADF standards and maximize certification audit impact.
• Monitor regulatory changes and provide expert coaching.

Backup for QAM Team Leader

• Allocate workload, facilitate team meetings, and report to the Head of Quality Assurance.

3. Required Skills

A. Technical and Professional Skills

• Standards & Audits: Knowledge of ISO 9001/EN 9100/ISO 27001/ISO 19443/ISO 61513.
• Tools: SM, Office 365, SharePoint, JIRA.
• Experience: 4+ years in result-committed projects, operational management, or quality roles.
• Past Experience in the aerospace, space, defense or Nuclear sector is a plus.

B. Behavioral Skills

• Technical Assertiveness: Enforce quality requirements without hierarchical authority.
• Critical Thinking: Detect inconsistencies in data and demand evidence.
• Transversal Leadership: Align stakeholders around quality goals.
• Operational Resilience: Manage ambiguity and propose pragmatic solutions.
• Adaptive Communication: Tailor communication for evaluations, auditors, and coaching.
• Proactivity: Anticipate risks and act preemptively.
• 9.00 am. to 6.00 pm. Monday to Friday, with a 60-minute unpaid break.
• Hybrid- Standard (3days from office and 2 days from home)
• Social in London office – Breakfast Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and Pizza on the last Thursday of each month as well as commitment to charitable causes
• Private Medical Insurance – 100% paid by ALTEN (taxable benefit), including access to dental and optical cover and can add your dependents on the insurance. (additional benefits available).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support available 24/7, including up to six face-to-face counselling sessions and a dedicated bereavement service.
• Travel Insurance- Covers work travel only.
• Pension Scheme– Company contribution up to 5% or 6% (matching the employee contribution). Automatic enrolment after three months of service (subject to eligibility), with the option to opt out if you choose.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – Save 25%–39% on bikes and accessories through tax-efficient salary deductions (available after probation).
• Tech Scheme – Save 25%–39% on technology purchases via Currys, also through tax-efficient salary deductions (available after probation).
• 24 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (calculated on a pro rata basis according to your start within the year).
• Maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave with pay in line with statutory entitlements in place from time to time.
• Up to 5 days of company sick fully paid pay per calendar year (pro rata), followed by statutory sick pay if required.

Any doubts?

Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we are looking for. As an equal-opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.