Senior Product Assurance Manager

Astroscale UK & Europe are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the PA team of a growing global company focussed on space sustainability through innovative methods of spacecraft servicing and debris removal. As part of the PA team you will lead assurance aspects of the spacecraft, from suppliers and subsystems to spacecraft integration and ground segment assurance.  

Responsibilities 

• Lead and deliver Product and Quality Assurance activities within project teams 
• Provide Product and Quality Assurance related support to multiple Astroscale projects 
• Implement all relevant quality and product assurance related principles and practices 
• Liaise with Customers’ PA and QA representatives as required 
• Support Supplier and Subcontractor related PA and QA activities, including assessment of supplier approaches, policies and processes, lead audits, and support ongoing supplier management activities in areas of PA and QA 
• Review materials, parts and processes against PA and technical requirements 
• Generate Product Assurance documentation for projects, and implement assurance plans as required in cooperation with the Project Managers and Project Teams 
• Witness manufacturing and testing activities and provide input as required, including at 3rd party facilities. 
• Check and maintain quality control data and records collected during PA/QA management activities. 
• Management of Nonconformance on assigned projects 
• Support the development of the Astroscale QMS 
• Support the Business Development team in preparing assurance aspects of proposals. 
• Review other PA Manager’s work and provide feedback 
• Mentor more junior PA Managers. 
• Set tasks for Graduate/Junior PA Managers.  Instructions and objectives need to be clear and understandable.  Monitor the execution of the tasks and provide guidance where necessary. 
• Support the Project PA lead in their responsibility "Planning the technical work for the team members". 
• Proactively drive project work forward in accordance with project needs 
• Management of Corrective Action Reports (CAR’s)
   

Essential Skills 

• Demonstrate a comprehensive and broad understanding of PA with a minimum of 5 years of experience in Product Assurance and /or Quality Assurance, preferably in Space or Aerospace Sectors 
• Ability to lead functional groups with respect to associated assurance requirements 
• Management and technical skills of high quality and reliability system products. 
• Able to influence how other functions operate for the purpose of mitigating risk and assuring mission success 
• A pragmatic and logical approach to problem solving 
• Capable of performing root cause analysis using techniques such as 5why, Ishikawa, fault tree analysis and 8D 
• Support of external audits (Customer/ISO)# 
• performing formal inspections (MIP/KIP) 
• Ability to guide sub system development decisions 
• Provide support to test camapaigns 
• Effective at working within a team as well as independently 
• Organizational and schedule management skills. 
• Flexibility to adapt with changes in plans and schedules 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Excellent technical English written/verbal communication and presentation skills 

Desirable skills 

• QMS Internal Auditor or experience as a third-party reviewer. 
• Experience with Ground segment product assurance 
• Experience with Software Product assurance 

Benefits 

• Competitive base salary 
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology 
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment  
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements) 
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday 
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay 
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit) 
• Relocation allowance considered
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered 
• New state of the art office and cleanroom facility 
• Regular social events  

Location 

Astroscale UK (Harwell), with potential for some travel to Astroscale Japan (Tokyo)  

About Astroscale 

We aim to deliver cutting edge technologies that will become part of routine commercial space operations by 2030. 

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company dedicated to in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, we are developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of in-orbit servicing missions, including End of Life services, Active Debris Removal, In-situ Space Situational Awareness and Life Extension Services, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate against the hazardous build-up of debris in space. 

Astroscale is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Our Values 

Mission & People Focused 

Innovative and Pioneering 

Diverse 

Transparent 

Customer Focused 

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.