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- Tasks: Ensure quality in satellite production through inspections and compliance checks.
- Company: Join Open Cosmos, a leader in space technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Work in a dynamic environment with a supportive team and global impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team solving real-world challenges from space.
- Qualifications: Hands-on quality control experience and knowledge of aerospace standards.
- Other info: Onsite role in Harwell, Oxfordshire with rotating 24/7 shifts.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Aim high, go beyond. At Open Cosmos we are solving the world's biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before.
Our COO Teams are the engine that powers Open Cosmos' operations. This division brings together mission management, supply chain, and quality & product assurance to make sure every mission is delivered smoothly, reliably, and to the highest standards.
Working in the QPA Team, our Quality and Product Assurance (QPA) team is central to ensuring that everything we deliver meets the highest standards of performance, reliability, and safety. The team is dedicated to embedding quality into every stage of our work — from design and development through to production, testing, and launch — ensuring that our satellites and systems are ready to perform their mission with confidence.
As a Quality Control (QC) Engineer, you will be a hands-on presence providing quality oversight during build, integration, and test activities. You will work closely with Engineering, AIT, Supply Chain, and suppliers to ensure only fully compliant hardware and software progress through the production lifecycle.
You will:
- Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections of mechanical, electrical, and electronic hardware in line with ECSS, ISO9001, and internal quality requirements.
- Verify compliance against engineering drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
- Provide quality oversight during AIT activities, including integration, testing, and environmental campaigns.
- Raise, document, and track non-conformances, deviations, and waivers, supporting root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Participate in Material Review Boards (MRBs) and support implementation of agreed dispositions.
- Ensure configuration management and full traceability across design, build, test, and delivery phases.
- Review manufacturing, inspection, and test documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
- Support supplier quality activities, including source inspections, incoming acceptance, and follow-up on supplier non-conformances.
- Contribute to formal reviews (PRR, TRR, QR, FRR) by providing inspection status, quality metrics, and evidence of compliance.
- Maintain accurate quality records in ERP/PLM systems and digital QMS tools.
- Identify recurring issues and trends, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support internal and external audits with clear, well-structured quality evidence.
You will have a practical, detail-driven mindset and enjoy working close to the hardware, ensuring quality is applied, verified, and documented at every stage and bring:
- Hands-on application of Quality Control activities within a regulated engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Working knowledge of ECSS, ISO9001, and relevant space or aerospace quality standards.
- Capability to perform inspections, testing, non-conformance reporting, and support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test procedures.
- Understanding of configuration management, document control, and traceability requirements across the product lifecycle.
- Ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams.
- Comfort using ERP/PLM systems and digital QMS tools to maintain accurate quality records.
This role is based onsite in Harwell, Oxfordshire. If successful you will work a rotating 24/7 shift pattern, supporting continuous assembly operations and satellite production while helping ensure key manufacturing milestones are delivered and coverage is maintained at all times.
To apply, you must have the legal right to work in the UK. When applying, please submit your CV in English.
Why Open Cosmos?
- Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.
- A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.
- A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.
Quality Control in Didcot employer: Open Cosmos
Contact Detail:
Open Cosmos Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Control in Didcot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Open Cosmos. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to quality control and space technology. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Bring examples of past projects where you ensured quality compliance. This will demonstrate your practical skills and attention to detail, which are crucial for the QC role.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Control in Didcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Quality Control role. Highlight your hands-on experience with quality assurance and any relevant standards like ECSS or ISO9001. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: In a role like this, attention to detail is key! Use specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you've ensured quality in past projects. This will help us see your practical mindset in action.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Open Cosmos
✨Know Your Standards
Familiarise yourself with ECSS, ISO9001, and other relevant quality standards before the interview. Being able to discuss how these standards apply to your work will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but that you understand the importance of quality in the space industry.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you performed inspections or managed non-conformance reporting. Highlight specific situations where your attention to detail made a difference, as this will demonstrate your practical, detail-driven mindset that Open Cosmos values.
✨Understand the Role of Collaboration
Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Since the QC Engineer role involves close collaboration with Engineering, AIT, and suppliers, showing that you can effectively communicate and work with others will be key to impressing the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your knowledge of engineering drawings, specifications, and quality metrics. Brush up on your technical skills and be prepared to explain how you would approach quality oversight during build and testing phases, as this will showcase your readiness for the role.
