Senior Defence Quality Engineer – AQAP/NATO Expert

Xtrac; Thatcham, Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Contribution

Life Assurance

Private Health Care

Eye Care Assistance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Company Events

On-site Parking

Reward & Recognition Incentives

Flexible Working for Some Roles

Salary Sacrifice Electric Car Scheme

Free Safety Workwear

Job summary

Xtrac is seeking a Group Senior Quality Engineer – Defence to lead accreditation efforts across its UK, US and Austrian entities. You will manage AQAP 2110 and JSP 940 gap assessments, coordinate certification programs, and liaise with DE&S, DECA, NATO QA bodies and security authorities.

The role requires handling complex evidence, ensuring data integrity, and supporting audits. The position emphasizes strategic costed views of defence accreditation, cross-site collaboration, and compliance with

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience implementing, maintaining or being assessed against AQAP 2110 in a global defence supply chain.
• Working knowledge of JSP 940 and the UK MoD contractor assurance model, with direct dealings with DE&S, DECA or an appointed Government Quality Assurance Representative.
• Ability to conduct structured gap analysis against a standard and translate findings into a credible closure plan.
• Experience operating across jurisdictions while maintaining defence evidence and data segregation between entities.
• Proven ability to drive change across multiple sites or legal entities without direct line authority.
• Strong written communication skills suitable for authoring procedures, determinations and audit reports.

Responsibilities

• Commission and manage AQAP 2110/ JSP 940 gap assessments across sites and guide certification through to approval with quality plans and audit readiness.
• Produce a costed, resourced view of defence accreditation requirements to inform investment decisions.
• Maintain liaison with DE&S, DECA, NATO QA authorities and Government QA representatives.
• Ensure defence accreditation data remains correctly segregated between UK, US and Austrian entities.
• Support security clearance and export control requirements with leadership.
• Assist Engineering on defence functional safety evidence and compliance.
• Advise on MoD, DoD and NATO quality clauses in RFQs and contracts and assess what commitments are feasible.
• Support customer audits and supplier qualification submissions.
• Standardise defence-related processes across the group and close identified gaps.
• Prepare and facilitate external defence audits and develop internal auditor competence.
• Report status and gaps monthly to the Quality Performance Pack and Accreditation Council.

Skills

AQAP 2110 experience

JSP 940 knowledge

Gap analysis

Multi-jurisdiction work

Change management

Technical writing

Job description

Xtrac is seeking a Group Senior Quality Engineer – Defence to lead accreditation efforts across its UK, US and Austrian entities. You will manage AQAP 2110 and JSP 940 gap assessments, coordinate certification programs, and liaise with DE&S, DECA, NATO QA bodies and security authorities.

The role requires handling complex evidence, ensuring data integrity, and supporting audits. The position emphasizes strategic costed views of defence accreditation, cross-site collaboration, and compliance with