Senior Quality Manager in Hastings

Company Description

General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems.

General Dynamics in St Leonards-on-Sea currently provide avionic mission computing systems for a wide range of military fast jets, helicopters, and UAVs. Recent success has resulted in General Dynamics developing the next generation of Advanced High Performance, Safety Critical Mission Computer Systems to meet the needs of latest platforms in development by several aircraft manufacturers. These Mission Computing Systems provide the functionality that integrates aircraft systems, sensor systems and stores management systems with the information and control systems required by the aircrew to meet the demanding operational needs of these aircraft.

Job Description

As Senior Quality Manager, you will hold overall accountability for the leadership and management of Quality Systems and certifications, Quality Engineering, and Manufacturing Quality Control across the business. You will be responsible for defining and executing the Quality Strategy, ensuring robust operational quality assurance across the business. This includes monitoring, analysing, and continually improving quality performance to drive business outcomes and operational excellence.

The role requires sound judgement and authoritative decision-making, with recommendations that have a direct and measurable impact on business performance. You will act as the key point of contact for operational quality matters, communicating clearly and effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. This is a senior leadership role suited to a credible and influential quality professional, capable of leading, motivating, and developing a high-performing quality team. You will also build strong, collaborative working relationships across the wider organisation to embed a culture of quality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• To be successful in this role you will demonstrate your knowledge and experience in Quality Management as well as:
• Experience in influencing and engaging across all levels of the organisation, with a proactive, self-motivated approach and the ability to operate autonomously.
• Proven capability to work within structured project management environments, delivering to agreed objectives and timescales.
• Possesses a strong understanding of continuous improvement principles and Lean methodologies, applying them to drive measurable performance improvements.
• Exhibits excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex matters clearly through written, verbal and presentation formats.
• Willing to travel to other GD locations within the UK and internationally as required, demonstrating flexibility in working hours to support overseas activities.
• Experience of leading high performing teams.
• Experience of working in a programme management and development environment using Agile methodology.

Preferred but not essential

• Chartered member of the Chartered Quality Institute (MCQI CQP).
• Experience working with or familiarity with AI/ML models is preferred.

Additional Information

This role has a salary of between £52,800 and £75,000 plus our flexible benefits package. We are open to this role being spent with time working from home and in the office (hybrid - typically 3 days working in office) on a weekly basis or fully in our offices.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits: A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off. A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company. A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits.

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team!

Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company. We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.

All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks. Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person—not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role.