At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage QMS documentation and ensure compliance with aerospace standards.
- Company: Join AALTO, a leader in stratospheric technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; engage with us to learn more!
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team shaping the future of aerospace.
- Qualifications: Experience in aerospace documentation control and regulatory compliance.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Welcome to AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.
Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record is over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct-to-device connectivity and high-resolution Earth observation.
AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high-altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.
Join us as we create a new domain of aerospace: Stratospace. You’ll be part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO. Together, we can Unlock Stratospace.
Job Purpose:
We are looking for a meticulous and regulatory-focused QMS & Documentation Control Specialist to join our Quality Management System (QMS) and Audit team. Operating within a highly regulated aerospace environment, you will take full ownership of the end-to-end lifecycle of our QMS documentation under the AALTO Business Management System.
Your mission will be to ensure strict compliance with international aerospace standards and civil aviation authority requirements, maintaining flawless traceability from design through to production and release.
Key Responsibilities
- QMS Documentation & Configuration Control: Manage the creation, review, approval, distribution, revision, and archiving of QMS documentation (including policies, procedures, work instructions, quality manuals, templates, and records). Ensure only the latest, approved document versions are available and utilised across the business. Maintain strict document version control and status tracking, ensuring legacy systems and obsolete documents are controlled to prevent unintended use. Ensure absolute alignment between documented processes, approved configurations, and day-to-day operational practices.
- Regulatory Compliance & Audit Support: Ensure all QMS documentation complies with EN 9100 / AQAP requirements, UK CAA / EASA / FAA Part 21 (DOA/POA) obligations, and internal company policies. Support the maintenance of mandatory documented information required for certification and authority oversight. Serve as a key point of contact during internal, customer, and regulatory authority audits—providing controlled documentation, demonstrating traceability, and ensuring document-related findings are closed out. Support compliance with Export Control classification ratings and technical data restrictions.
- Records Management & Traceability: Oversee quality records to guarantee integrity, legibility, secure retention, and strict compliance with regulatory and contractual timelines. Support end-to-end traceability across the engineering lifecycle: from Design & Certification through to Production, Inspection, and Acceptance/Release.
- Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Act as the central point of contact for documentation governance within the programme, interfacing closely with QMS, Engineering, Industrial Quality, Supply Chain, and Conformity/Release teams. Contribute to digitalisation initiatives, driving the harmonisation, standardisation, and accessibility of documents within our digital Management Systems (BMS).
About You (Experience & Qualifications)
Essential Criteria:
- Proven experience within the aeronautical/aerospace industry.
- Deep working knowledge of UK CAA / EASA Part 21 (DOA/POA) or Part 145 regulatory frameworks.
- Strong background in Document Control, Quality Assurance, or QMS maintenance within aerospace or defence.
- Meticulous attention to detail with excellent organisational and tracking skills.
- Right to work in the UK (and ability to obtain UK Security Clearance if required).
Desirable Criteria (Nice to Have):
- Experience working with digital Document Management Systems (DMS) or Business Management Systems (BMS).
In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:
- Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
- Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
- Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
- Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
- Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
- Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
- We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
- Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at AALTO, you can register your details here:
Documentation Control Officer in Orpington employer: AALTO HAPS
AALTO is an exceptional employer located in Farnborough, offering a dynamic work environment at the forefront of aerospace innovation. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive employee assistance programme. Our commitment to professional growth and continuous improvement ensures that you will thrive in your role as a Documentation Control Officer while contributing to groundbreaking projects in Stratospace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Documentation Control Officer in Orpington
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
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We think you need these skills to ace Documentation Control Officer in Orpington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at AALTO HAPS, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At AALTO HAPS, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at AALTO HAPS
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with AALTO HAPS.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
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Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with AALTO HAPS. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like AALTO HAPS love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
