At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure quality compliance and drive operational excellence in aerospace defence projects.
- Company: Join ALTEN, a leading engineering consultancy making waves across 30 countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, private medical insurance, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the aerospace sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in quality roles with knowledge of ISO standards required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
This role could be located anywhere between Bristol, London or Derby but 2 days/week in Derby are mandatory.
Who we are: ALTEN is an engineering and technology consultancy services company. We are a leading Engineering and IT consultancy operating across 30 countries, making waves in all sectors: Aeronautics, Space, Defence, Security and naval, Automotive, Rail and mobility, Energy and environment, Life Sciences and health, Industrial Equipment and electronics, Telecoms, Banking, Finance & Insurance, Retail, Services & Medias, Public Services & Government. With a team of passionate, diligent, and agile engineers, we are united by a common purpose: building tomorrow’s world today. Day by day, we support our customers' development strategies as well as their technological and sustainability transformation.
1. Role Overview The Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) ensures that result-committed projects comply with the ALTEN Delivery Framework (ADF) and meet client expectations. This role focuses on quality KPIs, continuous improvement, audit preparation, and client relationship management to drive operational excellence and client satisfaction.
2. Key Responsibilities
- A. Compliance
- Pre-sales Phase: Anticipate contract renewals or tenders to support project acquisition. Contribute to drafting the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) and ensure compliance alignment. Attend internal project kick-off meetings.
- Project Management Phase: Understand the contractual framework and ensure the QAP is updated. Conduct regular follow-ups to assess ADF compliance and provide objective evaluations. Train and coach Cluster Leaders (CL), Project Managers (PM), Project Directors (PD), and Technical Directors (TD) on compliance requirements. Highlight compliance and escalate deviations from standards.
- B. Client Relations
- Managing Client Requirements: Ensure client quality requirements are documented and integrated into project plans. Monitor changes to maintain continuous compliance. Address client complaints using root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective actions.
- Communication and Reporting: Serve as the primary liaison for quality-related issues between clients and ALTEN teams. Participate in client/ALTEN meetings (PRM/CRM) and contribute with presentations. Organize quality reviews and provide performance reports as required.
- C. KPIs and Performance
- Quality Dashboards: Update dashboards with accurate and relevant data. Analyze KPIs (RFT, OTD, customer satisfaction) and prepare reports for stakeholders. Ensure data reliability and monitor performance to identify improvement areas.
- Gap Analysis: Communicate with ACQP Direction and Technical Direction on quality control. Identify trends and propose action plans to enhance performance.
- D. Continuous Improvement
- Capitalizing on Best Practices: Propose process, method, and tool adaptations for project monitoring. Share updates with QAMs and use structured methods (8D, 5M, FMEA, 5S, Six Sigma, 5WHY’s, Ishikawa). Facilitate lessons-learned sessions and document best practices.
- Project Management: Lead corrective/preventative action plans and engage stakeholders. Track non-compliances, conduct RCAs, and monitor actions.
- E. External Audit
- Preparation and Monitoring: Coordinate preparation for client/certification audits (ISO 9001, EN 9100, etc.). Support teams in audit preparation and follow up on corrective actions.
- Auditor Relations: Act as the interface between external auditors and project teams.
- F. Additional Potential Missions
- Sector Referent: Lead a network for sharing best practices and audit learnings. Harmonize ADF standards and maximize certification audit impact. Monitor regulatory changes and provide expert coaching.
- Backup for QAM Team Leader: Allocate workload, facilitate team meetings, and report to the Head of Quality Assurance.
3. Required Skills
- A. Technical and Professional Skills
- Standards & Audits: Knowledge of ISO 9001/EN 9100/ISO 27001/ISO 19443/ISO 61513.
- Tools: SM, Office 365, SharePoint, JIRA.
- Language: Fluent English (minimum B2 level).
- Experience: 4+ years in result-committed projects, operational management, or quality roles. Past Experience in the aerospace, space, defense or Nuclear sector is a plus.
- B. Behavioral Skills
- Technical Assertiveness: Enforce quality requirements without hierarchical authority.
- Critical Thinking: Detect inconsistencies in data and demand evidence.
- Transversal Leadership: Align stakeholders around quality goals.
- Operational Resilience: Manage ambiguity and propose pragmatic solutions.
- Adaptive Communication: Tailor communication for evaluations, auditors, and coaching.
- Proactivity: Anticipate risks and act preemptively.
C. Benefits
- 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday, with a 60-minute unpaid break.
- Hybrid - Standard (3 days from office and 2 days from home).
- Social in London office – Breakfast Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and Pizza on the last Thursday of each month as well as commitment to charitable causes.
- Private Medical Insurance – 100% paid by ALTEN (taxable benefit), including access to dental and optical cover and can add your dependents on the insurance (additional benefits available).
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support available 24/7, including up to six face-to-face counselling sessions and a dedicated bereavement service.
- Life Insurance – 3 times your base salary.
- Travel Insurance - Covers work travel only.
- Pension Scheme – Company contribution up to 5% or 6% (matching the employee contribution). Automatic enrolment after three months of service (subject to eligibility), with the option to opt out if you choose.
- Cycle to Work Scheme – Save 25%–39% on bikes and accessories through tax-efficient salary deductions (available after probation).
- Tech Scheme – Save 25%–39% on technology purchases via Currys, also through tax-efficient salary deductions (available after probation).
- 24 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (calculated on a pro rata basis according to your start within the year).
- Maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave with pay in line with statutory entitlements in place from time to time.
- Up to 5 days of company sick fully paid per calendar year (pro rata), followed by statutory sick pay if required.
Any doubts? Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we are looking for. As an equal-opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.
Quality Assurance Manager Aerospace Defense in City of London employer: ALTEN
ALTEN is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration across various sectors, including Aerospace and Defence. With a strong commitment to employee growth, ALTEN provides comprehensive benefits such as private medical insurance, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for continuous professional development. The hybrid working model allows flexibility while maintaining a vibrant social atmosphere in the London office, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
