At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the quality of high-reliability systems and lead risk management in new product introductions.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation committed to supporting the Armed Forces.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company bonus, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid working environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical programmes and influence quality from day one.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in quality assurance and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Shape the quality of complex, high-reliability systems from day one in this exciting role.
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. After offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo BPSS checks (HM Government Basic Personnel Security Standard), 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 seeking flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: Up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave—with enhancements available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility treatments
- Facilities: Site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and more
- Healthcare Cash Plan: Reimburses everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing
- Private Medical Insurance: Enrolment into company-funded Private Medical Insurance
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 in 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 audited
- 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
Our company:
Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given. MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee-led networks, including Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more. 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.
New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager in Walkern employer: Mbda Uk
MBDA UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stevenage where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive training opportunities and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Additionally, employees enjoy competitive salaries, a generous benefits package including bonuses and pension contributions, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in systems architecture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager in Walkern
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Mbda Uk for a New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace New Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager in Walkern
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Mbda Uk, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Mbda Uk, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mbda Uk
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Mbda Uk.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Mbda Uk. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Mbda Uk love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
