Quality Assurance Management Lead in England

This is a fixed‑term contract lasting until the end of March 2027, with potential extension thereafter. We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Management Lead to provide SATCOM programme‑level Quality Assurance leadership across a complex defence programme. The role will ensure that quality is planned, assured, and governed in line with Government Quality Assurance (GQA) principles, JSP 940 (MOD Policy for Quality), relevant ISO standards, and Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP). The position requires a current SC clearance.

Main Responsibilities

• Programme Quality Management
  • Provide programme‑level Quality Assurance Management in line with GQA, JSP 940, ISO, and AQAP requirements.
  • Act as the focal point for quality assurance policy, governance and assurance activity across the programme.
  • Promote a consistent and risk‑based approach to quality across projects and suppliers.
  • Produce regular assessment reports on supplier and project quality performance.
  • Provide clear, evidence‑based insights to programme leadership to support informed decision making.
• Quality Surveillance & Planning
  • Develop and maintain a GQA Strategy and Implementation Plan aligned to programme objectives and risk profile.
  • Define appropriate levels of quality surveillance across projects and suppliers, proportionate to risk and criticality.
  • Ensure quality planning is embedded early in the lifecycle of projects and contracts.
• Verification & Auditing
  • Support and coordinate project audits, quality reviews and process evaluations to assess compliance with MOD and/or Supplier Quality Management Systems (QMS).
  • Provide expert advice on audit findings, compliance gaps and improvement actions.
  • Support assurance activity across suppliers delivering systems, equipment, services or software.
• Defect Management
  • Ensure non‑conformances are identified, recorded and managed appropriately.
  • Oversee the use of effective Root Cause Analysis techniques to understand underlying causes of defects and systemic issues.
  • Ensure corrective and preventive actions are defined, implemented and tracked to closure.
• Certification
  • Support the Certification of Conformity (CoC) process where required, providing assurance that delivered outputs meet contractual and regulatory requirements.
  • Advise on certification evidence, assurance activities and quality records.

Benefits

• Competitive day rate (PAYE)
• Holiday Pay
• 4% pension contributions
• Travel expenses paid
• Hotel accommodation paid
• Evening meal allowance

Essential Qualifications

• Proven experience in Quality Assurance Management within large, complex programmes, ideally in the defence, aerospace and/or communication sectors.
• Strong working knowledge of Government Quality Assurance, JSP 940, ISO standards and AQAP.
• Capable of holding a GQAR license from DD Quality Assurance.
• Experience of quality surveillance, audits, defect management and corrective action processes.
• Ability to identify and communicate quality risks clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to provide clear, evidence‑based assessments.
• Proactive, anticipates needs, suggests actions and drives progress rather than waiting for direction.
• Resilient, comfortable pushing for outcomes and maintaining focus where priorities shift.
• Objective, provides independent, evidence‑based assurance and challenge when required.
• Credible, able to challenge senior stakeholders constructively and with confidence.
• Collaborative, works effectively across organisational boundaries, leaders and diverse teams.
• Must hold current SC clearance.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working within MOD, Defence Digital or similar government delivery environments.
• Knowledge of ways of working in MOD including KiD and GEAR.
• Experience of working with, or alongside, DQA‑FF or equivalent assurance bodies.
• Experience of providing assurance across complex supply chains delivering hardware, software and services.
• Knowledge of Satellite Communication Systems.

Qualified candidates should contact Aeropeople for further details.