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- Tasks: Lead quality assurance for new product introductions and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing.
- Company: Join a dynamic aerospace and defence company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, flexible working, and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Other info: High autonomy and visibility to senior stakeholders with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-reliability products in a cutting-edge environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality assurance within manufacturing and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Salary Circa £65,000 depending on experience. Dynamic (hybrid) working 3 days per week on-site due to workload classification.
Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
What we can offer you:
- Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave - enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...
- Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.
- Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.
The opportunity:
We're looking for an experienced Quality professional to play a key role in assuring the successful introduction of new products into series production manufacturing. This is a high-impact position where you will provide independent assurance, strategic quality leadership, and risk mitigation across NPI programmes. Working within a technically advanced environment—from electronic assemblies through to fully integrated systems—you will influence how products are built, ensuring that processes are robust, scalable, and right first time.
What you'll be doing:
- Provide independent quality assurance and governance across NPI manufacturing programmes
- Act as a trusted advisor to Engineering and Manufacturing, influencing decisions to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are achieved
- Lead risk identification and mitigation activities, embedding a proactive quality mindset early in the product lifecycle
- Drive process effectiveness and continuous improvement, ensuring manufacturing methods are robust, repeatable, and compliant
- Conduct and lead internal audits and independent assessments, reporting outcomes to senior stakeholders and ensuring timely resolution of findings
- Analyse non-conformance and defect data, leading structured root cause investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions
- Facilitate and support PFMEA/DFMEA activities, ensuring risks are actively managed and reduced
- Support industrial validation and product introduction, ensuring readiness for manufacture at scale
- Champion the effective use of systems (e.g. SAP) for non-conformance management and quality data insights
- Collaborate across functions and sites to share best practice and drive quality excellence
What makes this role different:
- High level of autonomy and influence across critical programmes
- Opportunity to shape how quality is embedded in NPI, not just audit it
- Exposure to complex, high-reliability products in a cutting-edge environment
- Direct visibility to senior stakeholders and real impact on business performance
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience in a senior quality or product assurance role within manufacturing or engineering
- Strong background in process-based management systems and continuous improvement
- Demonstrable experience of risk management and structured problem solving (e.g. 8D, 5 Whys, PFMEA)
- Experience conducting audits and driving compliance within regulated environments
- Solid understanding of aerospace/defence quality standards such as AS9100 (or equivalent)
- Ability to influence, challenge and engage stakeholders at all levels
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into actionable improvements
Desirable:
- Knowledge of APQP/PPAP (AS9145) and First Article Inspection (AS9102)
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) in a complex manufacturing environment
- Experience in the application of Lean Six Sigma Approach
New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager in Stevenage employer: MBDA Missile Systems
Contact Detail:
MBDA Missile Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, especially when discussing your experience in quality assurance and risk management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Product Assurance Manager. Highlight your experience in quality assurance and any relevant projects you've worked on that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills fit perfectly with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the ideal candidate. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of aerospace/defence quality standards, as that’s a big plus for us.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements rather than just duties. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like improvements in process effectiveness or successful audits. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA Missile Systems
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of quality assurance and product introduction processes. Familiarise yourself with relevant standards like AS9100 and methodologies such as PFMEA and DFMEA. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just a candidate, but a knowledgeable professional ready to make an impact.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led risk management or continuous improvement initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you demonstrate your ability to influence decisions and drive quality excellence effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves influencing various stakeholders, think about how you can showcase your communication skills during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you've engaged with engineering and manufacturing teams in the past, and be ready to share strategies for building trust and collaboration.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with questions that show your interest in the company and the role. Ask about their current NPI challenges or how they measure success in quality assurance. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also gives you valuable insights into the company's priorities.