At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and equipment management in a fast-paced defence tech environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic, fast-growing defence-tech company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced culture with a mission-first mentality and strong team support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building compliance infrastructure that drives success.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in compliance or quality within UK defence or aerospace.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
You make Xtend UK provably compliant, audit-ready, and trusted by primes and MOD - without slowing the company down. This is not a bureaucratic compliance role; it is a pragmatic builder role. You design and operate the export control, quality, and equipment infrastructure that unlocks the next tier of contracts. The standard is real compliance, delivered at the pace the business requires.
Core Responsibilities
- Own export control end‑to‑end: SPIRE / ECJU licensing, ITAR awareness, dual‑use, record‑keeping. Build it lean, make it audit‑proof.
- Drive ISO 9001 implementation and the roadmap to AS9100 / ISO 27001. Practical, evidence‑based, and operationally useful – not shelfware.
- Own MOD audit and assurance readiness – DSPF, JSP 440 awareness, supplier assurance questionnaires.
- Run equipment configuration control, serialisation, calibration, and traceability for all UK‑held assets.
- Maintain the UK quality manual, supplier approved list, and non‑conformance register – all live and operationally useful.
- Act as the compliance lead inside bids – convert ‘how do we prove it’ into a credible evidence pack on deadline.
- Build the trust signal customers and primes need to see before they commit to larger contracts.
Requirements
- 4+ years compliance, quality, or export‑control experience in UK defence, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing – ideally with end‑to‑end ownership of the regime.
- Working command of ECJU / SPIRE and the UK strategic export control regime.
- Hands‑on ISO 9001 (AS9100 a plus) and direct experience of MOD supplier assurance.
- Pragmatic, not bureaucratic. You know when sufficient and delivered beats perfect and stalled.
- Detail‑oriented under pressure; comfortable owning an audit and the evidence behind it.
- Fluent English; right to work in the UK.
- Strong advantage: prior experience inside a UK defence prime, MOD, or cleared SME; familiarity with UAV / unmanned systems regulation (CAA, Article 16).
Environment and Expectations
Xtend UK is a fast‑growing defence‑tech company. Pace is high, structure is being built, and ownership is real. You will be expected to contribute beyond the formal scope of your role. Team members support each other to execute the mission successfully. Mission‑first mentality. We are building capability that ends up in the hands of operators – that comes before process and hierarchy. This role lives at the balance point between compliance rigour and startup agility. The candidate who thrives here understands when to apply full process and when to streamline. Compliance infrastructure here is being built, not inherited. You will set the standards and the artefacts that the rest of the business operates against. Engagement with bids, customers, and primes is constant – compliance is a commercial enabler, not a back‑office function. Execution speed matters. We operate with urgency, high ownership, and a strong bias toward action.
Compliance & Equipment Specialist in Swindon employer: Xtend
At Xtend UK, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer in the defence-tech sector, located in Swindon. Our work culture fosters collaboration and a mission-first mentality, where every team member is empowered to contribute beyond their formal role. With a strong focus on employee growth and the opportunity to shape compliance infrastructure in a fast-paced environment, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and agile workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Compliance & Equipment Specialist in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence and compliance sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in real-time! Consider volunteering for projects or internships that allow you to demonstrate your compliance expertise. This hands-on experience can make you stand out and give you some solid examples to discuss in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews by knowing the company inside out. Research Xtend UK’s mission, values, and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around compliance and operational agility.
✨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 being part of the team at Xtend UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Compliance & Equipment Specialist in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compliance Know-How:Make sure to highlight your experience in compliance, especially in the UK defence or aerospace sectors. We want to see how you've owned compliance processes from start to finish, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Pragmatic, Not Bureaucratic:In your application, emphasise your ability to balance compliance with operational needs. We’re looking for someone who knows when to streamline processes and when to apply full rigour, so share examples that showcase this skill.
Tailor Your Evidence Pack:When discussing your past roles, focus on how you’ve built trust with customers and primes through credible evidence packs. We love practical examples, so make sure to include specifics about your contributions to audit readiness and compliance infrastructure.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Xtend
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of export control, ISO standards, and MOD regulations. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in real-world scenarios, as this role is all about practical compliance rather than just theory.
✨Show Your Pragmatic Side
This isn't a bureaucratic role, so highlight your ability to streamline processes and deliver results under pressure. Share examples where you've made compliance work for the business without slowing things down.
✨Prepare for Evidence-Based Questions
Expect questions that require you to provide evidence of your past compliance work. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your end-to-end ownership of compliance regimes and how you've built trust with customers and primes.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves constant engagement with bids and customers, be prepared to discuss how you've worked with teams to achieve compliance goals. Show that you understand the importance of collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
