Job Details

Job Specification: Product Assurance Manager (Space)

An experienced Product Assurance Manager is required to lead product and quality assurance activities across the full lifecycle of space programmes, from concept and design through manufacture, integration, and test. The role is responsible for ensuring that products, processes and deliverables meet customer, regulatory and internal requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Product Assurance activities across one or more space projects, ensuring compliance with programme, customer and regulatory requirements.

Develop, maintain and implement Product Assurance Plans in line with applicable standards and project needs.

Act as the primary assurance interface between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, customers and external partners.

Ensure compliance with applicable ECSS, ESA, Mil-Std, NASA, AS9100 and internal quality management requirements where relevant.

Lead non-conformance management, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and support review boards such as MRB and NRB.

Oversee supplier and subcontractor assurance activities, including audits, quality reviews, surveillance and approval of assurance documentation.

Support design, manufacturing, integration and test reviews, including readiness and milestone reviews such as PDR, CDR, TRR and qualification reviews.

Monitor configuration control, traceability, documentation quality and records to ensure full product integrity.

Review and materials, parts, processes and workmanship standards in collaboration with technical teams.

Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned, quality metrics, audit findings and process enhancements.

Support customer reporting and contribute assurance input to bids, proposals and programme planning where required.

Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Physics, Manufacturing, Quality or a related technical discipline.

Significant experience in Product Assurance within the space, aerospace or other high-reliability engineering sector.

Strong working knowledge of ECSS product and quality assurance requirements and their practical application.

Demonstrable experience of managing assurance activities across the product lifecycle in complex, multidisciplinary programmes.

Proven experience in non-conformance control, root cause analysis and corrective action management.

Experience of supplier quality assurance, audit activities and subcontractor oversight.

Strong understanding of configuration management, traceability, documentation control and change management.

Ability to interpret technical requirements and apply assurance principles pragmatically in a regulated environment.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence working directly with customers and senior stakeholders.

Desirable Experience

Experience working on ESA, UK Space Agency or commercial spaceflight programmes.

Knowledge of dependability, reliability or safety methods such as FMEA, FMECA, fault tree analysis or risk assessment.

Familiarity with cleanroom, ESD, contamination control and high-reliability manufacturing environments.

Experience supporting environmental test campaigns, qualification and acceptance activities.

Internal auditor qualification or experience conducting QMS audits.

Awareness of software assurance and ground segment assurance in space systems.

Key Skills and Behaviours

Strong leadership and ownership, with the ability to influence across functional boundaries.

Methodical, analytical and detail-oriented approach with sound engineering judgement.

Pragmatic problem-solving skills and the ability to balance compliance with delivery needs.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Confident facilitator of reviews, audits and technical discussions.

Collaborative approach with the credibility to challenge constructively when standards are at risk.

Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.