At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team ensuring quality in groundbreaking space and astronomy projects.
- Company: Join the Science and Technology Facilities Council, a leader in scientific exploration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible hours, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Great opportunities for learning and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on world-changing projects with top experts by your side.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience and a passion for quality in engineering are essential.
The predicted salary is between 67409 - 67409 £ per year.
Salary: Band F (S1) £67,409 per annum
Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Open-Ended
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh.
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
About the Role
To support our growing astronomy programme capabilities, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh is seeking an inspirational and technically capable Quality Assurance & Product Assurance Group Leader to lead and help shape the future of how we deliver exceptional engineering.
Our organisation develops and delivers highly specialised hardware for European spaceflight missions and some of the world's leading ground-based astronomical telescopes. Our work sits at the intersection of engineering, science and exploration, creating products that operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.
As Quality Assurance & Product Assurance Group Leader, you will provide leadership, direction and technical oversight to a specialist team responsible for assuring the quality and integrity of our products throughout their lifecycle. You will also be supported and mentored by an experienced Product Assurance Group Leader from within STFC, providing an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge of product assurance within the space and scientific instrumentation sectors while developing your leadership capability.
You will work closely with engineering, project management, manufacturing, procurement, customers and suppliers. Your role will be to ensure that quality and assurance are embedded from the earliest stages of a project, providing both independent oversight and constructive technical challenges.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, develop and inspire the Quality Assurance and Product Assurance team.
- Set the group's strategy, objectives and priorities in alignment with Organisational and programme goals.
- Provide quality and product assurance leadership across spaceflight and astronomical instrumentation programmes and implement Project Quality and Product Assurance Plans and managing their application as required.
- Champion a culture where quality is designed into products and processes from the outset.
- Provide independent assurance, technical challenge and expert advice to project and engineering teams.
- Ensure effective application of quality and product assurance processes throughout the product lifecycle and manage product and process risks.
- Support engineering reviews, qualification, verification, validation and acceptance activities.
- Oversee non-conformance management, corrective and preventive actions, root-cause analysis and lessons learned.
- Ensure appropriate quality and product assurance requirements are flowed down to suppliers and manufacturing partners.
- Support and participate in audits, investigations and programme reviews.
- Develop strong relationships with customers and external stakeholders on quality and assurance matters.
- Provide clear, objective and evidence-based assurance reporting to senior leadership.
- Identify opportunities to improve our processes, tools and ways of working.
- Develop the capability, confidence and expertise of the Quality and Product Assurance team.
- Become the link with the wider assurance community in STFC.
Person Specification
(Please note the criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)
- Experience leading others including staff development and recruitment (S&I).
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentational skills, with attention to detail (S&I).
- Knowledge of relevant technical standards commonly applicable to space projects such as ECSS, ESCC, NASA, MIL or standards commonly used in European Astronomy, or equivalent transferrable experience (I).
- Experience working within a formal Quality Management System meeting the requirements of ECSS, or other similarly highly regulated industry; and experience of developing and maintaining a formal Quality Management System (S&I).
- Experience of leading, reviewing and approving technical work and/or project or product conformance documentation; and participation in project gate reviews, engineering change control, managing non-conformance, product data management, safety and reliability, documenting and maintaining evidence of compliance (S&I).
- Understands some of the main engineering aspects (e.g. mechanical, optical, electronics, software), and the key physical and engineering challenges of building complex equipment for large scale astronomy or space flight; or in an analogous industry (I).
You don't need to be an expert in every aspect of product assurance from day one. What matters is that you have strong engineering judgement, a genuine passion for quality, intellectual curiosity and the ability to learn and lead. With the support of an experienced Product Assurance Group Leader, you will have the opportunity to build your expertise while making an immediate contribution as a leader.
Employee Benefits:
We are offering an open-ended contract with a whole host of benefits including:
- 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
- Flexible working hours
- An excellent average salary pension scheme
- Employee shopping/travel discounts
- Learning and development opportunities
Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what is possible!
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.
For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
Assurance Group Leader in Edinburgh employer: UKRI
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in cutting-edge research. With a strong commitment to employee development, the LMB provides opportunities for training and professional growth, while its inclusive culture encourages open communication and teamwork. Located in a world-renowned research facility, employees benefit from access to state-of-the-art resources and the chance to contribute to impactful scientific advancements in health care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assurance Group Leader in Edinburgh
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
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✨Engage with Online Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Assurance Group Leader in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Assurance Group Leader, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at UKRI a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to UKRI specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with UKRI, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like UKRI want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
