Quality Control Engineer

Open Cosmos; Harwell; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Cosmos seeks a hands-on QC Engineer in Harwell to manage quality oversight during build, integration, and test. You will ensure hardware and software meet ECSS and ISO9001 standards, raise non-conformances, and support MRBs and supplier quality activities.

You'll work closely with Engineering, AIT, and Supply Chain, maintaining full traceability and quality records across the lifecycle, and participate in PRR/QR reviews while adapting to a rotating 24/7 shift in a high-stakes production

Qualifications

• Hands-on QC in a regulated engineering/manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of ECSS and ISO9001 space standards.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and procedures.
• Experience with non-conformance reporting and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections of mechanical, electrical, and electronic hardware per ECSS, ISO9001 and internal quality requirements.
• Verify compliance against engineering drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide QC oversight during AIT activities including integration, testing, and environmental campaigns.
• Raise, document, and track non-conformances, deviations, and waivers with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Participate in MRBs and support dispositions.
• Ensure configuration management and traceability across design, build, test, and delivery phases.
• Review manufacturing, inspection, and test documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Support supplier quality activities including source inspections and follow-up on non-conformances.
• Contribute to formal reviews with inspection status and quality evidence.
• Maintain quality records in ERP/PLM and digital QMS tools.
• Identify recurring issues and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Support audits with clear quality evidence.

Skills

Quality Control

ECSS knowledge

ISO9001 knowledge

Inspection testing

Tools

ERP/PLM systems

Digital QMS tools

Job description

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…

Our COO Teams are the engine that powers Open Cosmos’ operations. This division brings together mission management, supply chain, and quality & product assurance to make sure every mission is delivered smoothly, reliably, and to the highest standards. They turn plans into action, keeping us efficient and mission-ready at all times.

Working in the QPA Team

At Open Cosmos, our Quality and Product Assurance (QPA) team is central to ensuring that everything we deliver meets the highest standards of performance, reliability, and safety. The team is dedicated to embedding quality into every stage of our work — from design and development through to production, testing, and launch — ensuring that our satellites and systems are ready to perform their mission with confidence.

What will you be doing?

As a Quality Control (QC) Engineer, you’ll be a hands‑on presence providing quality oversight during build, integration, and test activities. You’ll work closely with Engineering, AIT, Supply Chain, and suppliers to ensure only fully compliant hardware and software progress through the production lifecycle.

You’ll:

• Perform incoming, in‑process, and final inspections of mechanical, electrical, and electronic hardware in line with ECSS, ISO9001, and internal quality requirements
• Verify compliance against engineering drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria
• Provide quality oversight during AIT activities, including integration, testing, and environmental campaigns
• Raise, document, and track non‑conformances, deviations, and waivers, supporting root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Participate in Material Review Boards (MRBs) and support implementation of agreed dispositions
• Ensure configuration management and full traceability across design, build, test, and delivery phases
• Review manufacturing, inspection, and test documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance
• Support supplier quality activities, including source inspections, incoming acceptance, and follow‑up on supplier non‑conformances
• Contribute to formal reviews (PRR, TRR, QR, FRR) by providing inspection status, quality metrics, and evidence of compliance
• Maintain accurate quality records in ERP/PLM systems and digital QMS tools
• Identify recurring issues and trends, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives
• Support internal and external audits with clear, well‑structured quality evidence

What You’ll bring

You’ll have a practical, detail‑driven mindset and enjoy working close to the hardware, ensuring quality is applied, verified, and documented at every stage and bring:

• Hands‑on application of Quality Control activities within a regulated engineering or manufacturing environment
• Working knowledge of ECSS, ISO9001, and relevant space or aerospace quality standards
• Capability to perform inspections, testing, non‑conformance reporting, and support root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test procedures
• Understanding of configuration management, document control, and traceability requirements across the product lifecycle
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross‑functional internal teams
• Comfort using ERP/PLM systems and digital QMS tools to maintain accurate quality records

This role is based onsite in Harwell, Oxfordshire.

If successful you’ll work a rotating 24/7 shift pattern, supporting continuous assembly operations and satellite production while helping ensure key manufacturing milestones are delivered and coverage is maintained at all times.

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Why Open Cosmos?

• Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe
• A mission‑driven company making space accessible to help solve real‑world challenges
• A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team

Equal opportunity employer

At Open Cosmos, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace built on respect, dignity, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively challenge bias to ensure every candidate and employee feels truly welcome. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.