Group Senior Quality Engineer – Defence in Milton Keynes

Manage Cyber and QA accreditations across the defence sector

Job Title: Group Senior Quality Engineer: Defence

Reporting to: Quality Compliance Manager

Location: Thatcham-UK or Milton Keynes-UK or Jois-Austria (Hybrid)

Xtrac is the world’s leading design and manufacture of specialist transmissions. Our customers include the top motorsports racing series including Formula One, Le Mans, IndyCar and NASCAR and we also supply transmissions for the most exclusive high-performance cars in the world. We are at the forefront of a once-in-a-generation opportunity as the automotive industry transitions from internal combustion to electric and hybrid and our experienced and dedicated teams are using the latest cutting-edge technology to achieve this transition.

Xtrac also has a new partnership with Zoerkler, a specialist in gear manufacture and precision engineering. This strategic venture marks a significant step forward in our ambitious growth plans and reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class transmission components and systems to our customers.

The Role

The Group Senior Quality Engineer – Defence is accountable for qualifying our Portfolio Company (Xtrac+Helix+New Eagle+Zoerkler) as a supplier to UK MoD, NATO and US DoD programmes, so that no defence opportunity is lost for want of a certification. Reporting to the Group Quality Compliance Manager, the role begins with gap analysis against AQAP 2110 and JSP 940 across the sites to establish the true cost, timescale and options for positioning the business, and then champions those certification programmes through to approval across the applicable sites who are accountable for their delivery.

The role works alongside the site quality managers rather than a direct team and holds the group relationship with DE&S, DECA and the relevant national quality assurance authorities, works alongside the IT and Information Security Lead on the cyber accreditations that UK MoD and US DoD now treat as entry conditions, and supports Engineering on defence functional safety requirements. It works through the Group Central Quality Organisation and is the authority Commercial relies on before answering a quality clause in an MoD, US DoD or NATO tender.

Day to Day

• Commission and manage AQAP 2110/ JSP 940 gap assessments across the sites, then advise and facilitate the certification programme through to approval — quality plans, deliverable evidence, risk management, government quality assurance interface and audit readiness.
• Produce a costed, resourced and prioritised view of what defence accreditation requires of the group, so that the business can decide where and when to invest and which opportunities it can credibly pursue.
• Own the working relationship with DE&S, DECA, NATO national quality assurance authorities and any Government Quality Assurance Representative.
• Maintain defence accreditation on a strictly site and geography-specific basis, ensuring no group-level consolidation mixes customer or national security data across the UK, US and Austrian entities.
• Support Facility Security Clearance and personnel vetting requirements with the Industrial Operations Director and advise the quality system and record-keeping side of export control.
• Support Engineering on related defence functional safety requirements, ensuring safety evidence on defence programmes is captured, authorised and retained.
• Act as the authority on MoD, DoD and NATO quality clauses in RFQ’s and contracts: what the group can commit to today, what it cannot, and what it takes to close the difference.
• Support customer audits and supplier qualification submissions.
• Support the sites in closing identified gaps by standardising defence-related processes, procedures and policies across the group.
• Responsible for preparing and facilitating external defence audits.
• Build internal auditor competence at the sites against the defence standards.
• Report defence accreditation status, gaps and contract-readiness flags monthly into the Quality Performance Pack and to the Quality & Accreditation Council, escalating slippage early rather than absorbing it.

Perform other duties as assigned.

About You

Required Qualifications/ Experience

• Demonstrable experience implementing, maintaining or being assessed against AQAP 2110 in a global defence supply chain.
• Working knowledge of JSP 940 and the UK MoD contractor assurance model, with direct dealings with DE&S, DECA or an appointed Government Quality Assurance Representative.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct structured gap analysis against a standard and translate the findings into a costed, resourced and credible closure plan.
• Experience operating across jurisdictions, and the judgement to keep defence evidence and data properly segregated between entities.
• Evidence of delivering change across multiple sites or legal entities without direct line authority, and of holding certification bodies and internal stakeholders to a committed date.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to author clear procedures, determinations and audit reports that will stand up to external assessment.
• Right to work in the UK or the EU, and willingness to travel routinely between the UK, Austria and the USA.

Preferred Qualifications/ Experience

• Wider AQAP familiarity, US supply chain, defence software and functional safety experience.
• AS9100 or EN 9100 experience alongside the defence standards.
• Current SC or DV clearance; membership of a recognised quality institute.
• Formal root cause and problem-solving qualification such as Six Sigma.
• Working level German, for the Jois site.

About Xtrac

Here at Xtrac, we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of Motorsport and High-Performance Automotive Transmission Solutions. Our products are used internationally across the most prestigious motorsport events so naturally we have a passion for winning and continuously improving, whether that be our products, our people, or our business. Our vision is to transform into a world class high performance automotive supplier whilst retaining our position as a world leader in motorsport, so now is the time to join our journey, make an impact and contribute to the success of our future.

What makes us who we are is our people. We share behaviours and values to ensure Xtrac remain world class and have a culture that delivers!

We are…

Accountable

Externally Focused

Yearn to Learn

If you’re looking for an exciting new opportunity, you could be just what Xtrac are looking for.

DEI Statement

Xtrac believe that diversity is not only a fundamental value but also a key driver of innovation, growth and success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

We celebrate diversity in all its forms, including to but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion disability and veteran status. We recognise that diverse teams are more creative, collaborative and effective in solving complex problems and driving positive change.

Xtrac are dedicated to creating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. We actively promote diversity and inclusion through recruitment, training and development, and advancement opportunities for all employees. By embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity, we not only strengthen our organisation but also enrich the experience of our employees and the communities we serve.

Join us at Xtrac and be part of a diverse and inclusive team that values and celebrates the unique contributions of every individual. Together we will drive innovation, excellence and success.

Company benefits include

• Pension Contribution
• Life Assurance
• Private Health Care
• Eye Care Assistance
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company Events
• On-site Parking
• Reward & Recognition Incentives
• Flexible Working for Some Roles
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Car Scheme
• Free Safety Workwear