At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality improvement initiatives and mentor teams to ensure product excellence.
- Company: Join a leading defence and aerospace company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonuses, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid working environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-visibility role shaping product integrity.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in regulated environments with strong leadership and engineering skills.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 63000 £ per year.
Reporting directly to our UK Head of Excellence, you’ll act as a strategic architect for product integrity across our engineering and manufacturing functions. This is a high‑visibility role for a mentor who can bridge the gap between design intent and world‑class production, ensuring mission‑critical technology is "designed for excellence" long before it reaches the shop floor.
Salary: circa £60,000, 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 or limitations relating to nationality or rights to work may apply. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
Benefits:
- Company bonus: up to 21% of base salary.
- Pension: maximum combined employer and employee contribution up to 14%.
- Flexible working: flexible arrangements welcomed.
- Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave; enhancements available for paternity, neonatal leave, and fertility treatments.
- Site facilities: subsidised meals, free car parking, and more.
- Healthcare cash plan: cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health, and wellbeing.
- Private medical insurance: standard enrolment in the company funded benefit.
Opportunity: Operating within the Quality Excellence function, you will lead the shift toward a proactive, "right‑first‑time" culture. We are looking for a coach and facilitator to tackle sophisticated challenges using FMEA and DMAIC methodologies to empower teams and ensure zero‑defect excellence across our entire product portfolio.
Responsibilities:
- Day‑to‑day focus:
- Risk mitigation: support quality and engineering through APQP toolsets, facilitate workshops and coach teams on DFMEA and PFMEA best practices, ensuring risks are identified and designed out early.
- Design to production link: guide transfer of "Special Characteristics" and severity ratings from design intent into practical control plans; partner with manufacturing to ensure risks identified in FMEAs are managed with realistic measurement methods and robust control plans.
- Process stability & coaching: mentor teams through DMAIC cycles to stabilise production and improve yields; support use of data to monitor performance and reduce variation from launch through product lifecycle.
- Problem solving & lessons learned: lead and coach root cause analysis when quality issues arise; ensure findings feed back into FMEAs and control plans, maintaining them as living documents.
- Standards & audit support: serve as subject‑matter expert for risk‑related audits, ensuring risk management meets EN9100 / ISO 9001; utilise action priority logic to prioritise engineering changes and validation testing for high‑risk items.
Qualifications:
- Professional experience: 5+ years in a mission‑critical, regulated environment (defence, aerospace, or automotive); leadership and mentoring experience on quality principles essential.
- Technical background: engineering background (HNC/HND or higher) with expertise in electronics, manufacturing, and design.
- Standards: excellent knowledge of EN9100 / ISO 9001; competent in AIAG & VDA FMEA Handbook or SAE J1739.
- Product risk: proven track record in managing product risk through DFMEA, DFx, PFMEA, and developing robust control plans.
- Problem‑solving & tools: proficient in root cause analysis (8D, 5‑Why); experience using FMEA software (e.g., APISIQ‑FMEA, Relyence).
- Lean Six Sigma, certified Black Belt: proactive risk mitigation; DMAIC cycle experience preferred.
- Influencing & facilitation: strong facilitator, bridging design and shop‑floor teams to drive a "quality first" culture.
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
Quality Improvement & Capability Manager in Stevenage employer: Mbda Uk
At MBDA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid working environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities and mentorship in quality improvement methodologies, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous company bonus and enhanced parental leave. Our commitment to a proactive 'right-first-time' culture ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering mission-critical technology, making this an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Improvement & Capability 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 practising common questions and scenarios related to quality improvement and capability management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work, especially those that highlight your experience with FMEA and DMAIC methodologies. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can truly add value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Improvement & Capability Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Quality Improvement & Capability Manager. Highlight your experience in risk management and quality principles, and don’t forget to mention any relevant methodologies like FMEA and DMAIC that you’ve used.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about quality excellence and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to connect your experiences with our mission of 'designed for excellence'.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in previous roles. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills, especially when it comes to root cause analysis and improving production processes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mbda Uk
✨Know Your Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on FMEA and DMAIC methodologies before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show your practical experience and understanding of quality improvement processes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Quality Improvement & Capability Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your mentoring abilities. Prepare examples of how you've coached teams in the past, particularly in risk management and problem-solving, to highlight your leadership style.
✨Understand the Company’s Standards
Familiarise yourself with EN9100 and ISO 9001 standards, as well as any specific quality frameworks relevant to the company. Being able to discuss these standards confidently will show that you're serious about quality excellence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to solve a hypothetical quality issue. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, focusing on how you would apply root cause analysis and develop control plans to ensure zero-defect excellence.
