Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure top-notch quality in defence and space manufacturing through inspections and proactive culture.
- Company: Join a leading defence and space client at their Stevenage site.
- Benefits: Competitive pay of £32 per hour, with potential for extension and flexible shifts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in high-value hardware programmes and drive quality standards.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in aerospace or defence, with strong quality assurance skills.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 64000 £ per year.
MERITUS are recruiting for an Operations Quality Assurance Engineer to join our Defence and Space client at their Stevenage site.
An opportunity has arisen for an Operational Quality Assurance Engineer to join a highly specialised defence and space manufacturing environment in the UK. The Quality function plays a critical role in ensuring that customer and regulatory requirements are met across the full spacecraft production lifecycle, including manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test. This position sits directly within the production environment and is responsible for driving quality standards, preventing defects, and ensuring compliance in complex, high-value hardware programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of quality assurance activities within a designated production area
- Conduct critical inspections and witness key manufacturing and integration operations
- Drive a proactive quality culture, influencing production teams to prevent non-conformances
- Lead the management and reduction of non-conformance and cost of poor quality (CoPQ)
- Maintain oversight of build reconciliations, open points, and outstanding work orders
- Perform ongoing quality surveillance to ensure adherence to product and programme requirements
- Track and manage actions arising from inspections across all production phases
- Support root cause analysis and internal review boards (e.g. NCR, MRB/IRB activities)
- Review and improve quality documentation, procedures, and production processes
- Initiate and conduct process audits where required
- Review manufacturing instructions and engineering drawings for technical and quality compliance, supporting correction of issues where identified
- Act as a quality authority within the production environment, ensuring standards are upheld and challenged where necessary
Required Experience & Skills
- Engineering apprenticeship and/or relevant technical qualification
- Minimum 3+ years experience within aerospace, defence, or space manufacturing environments
- Strong understanding of quality assurance / product assurance in regulated industries
- Proven experience in hardware inspection within complex assemblies
- Ability to influence stakeholders on the shop floor and drive behavioural change around quality
- Strong communication skills - able to clearly articulate findings and challenge where required
- Experience working within structured production or cleanroom environments
- Flexibility to support shift patterns, on-call, or site-based requirements
Desirable Experience
- Knowledge of space or ECSS quality standards
- Exposure to continuous improvement / Lean methodologies
- Experience working with 3D engineering drawings / digital manufacturing tools (Catia, 3DX)
- Familiarity with composite or advanced materials
- Previous involvement in ESA or equivalent regulated programmes
Operations Quality Assurance Engineer in Stevenage employer: Meritus Talent
Contact Detail:
Meritus Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Quality Assurance Engineer in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working in defence and space. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and quality assurance principles. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled quality issues in past roles – real examples will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! Communication is key in this role, so be prepared to demonstrate how you can influence and drive change on the shop floor. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Quality Assurance Engineer in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Quality Assurance Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in aerospace, defence, or space manufacturing environments, and don’t forget to showcase your strong understanding of quality assurance in regulated industries.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive quality standards and influence production teams.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; show us how you’ve used them in real situations. Whether it’s conducting critical inspections or leading root cause analysis, give examples that illustrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Meritus Talent
✨Know Your Quality Standards
Make sure you brush up on the specific quality standards relevant to the aerospace and defence sectors. Familiarise yourself with ECSS quality standards and any other regulations that might come up during the interview. This shows you’re not just qualified, but genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Inspection Experience
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience with hardware inspection and complex assemblies. Have examples ready that highlight how you've driven quality assurance in previous roles. This will help demonstrate your practical knowledge and ability to influence production teams.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing technical findings or challenging issues. You want to convey confidence and clarity, so consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your delivery.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage non-conformances. Think of past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges in quality assurance and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.