Software PA​/QA Manager | Hybrid

About this position

Space and Aerospace plays a crucial role in the daily lives of everyone on Earth. Communication, navigation and observation satellites as well as their innovative information systems, terminals and high-tech instruments are becoming a unique part of our planet's infrastructure. TNO works on aerospace technology together with the Dutch government, companies, institutes and universities. TNO is an independent research organisation whose expertise and research make an important contribution to the competitiveness of companies and organisations, to the economy and to the quality of society as a whole.

With approximately 4,000 staff, we work for a range of clients: government agencies, SMEs, large companies, service providers and social organisations. Together we work on new knowledge, better products and clear advice on policy and processes. Everything we do is about having an impact. Our product and process innovations and our advice only make sense if they help the client improve their competitive position;

if they allow the government to make its policy more effective; and if they truly help people and organisations move forward.

The Space Systems Engineering expertise group develops and supplies opto-mechatronic instruments and systems for space, ground-based astronomy and conducts scientific research. The demands placed on these systems are generally on the limits of what is technically feasible. TNO works together with partners, subcontractors, suppliers and clients from the European industrial sector and with sister institutes at home and abroad. Projects have the character of a delivery obligation for a fixed price, and generally fall within the European space policy that is controlled by ESA, the European space agency.

The projects are multidisciplinary in nature, involving specialists from TNO in the fields of optics, mechanics, electronics, mechatronics and production. The project size varies from half a million to 5 million, with durations of several years. Due to the growth of projects in the Laser Satcom domain as well as the defence domain, TNO has started a development in supporting electronics and associated control software.

The project organization usually consists of a core team of Project Manager, System Engineer, Quality-Product Assurance manager and MAIT (Manufacturing-Assembly-Integration-Testing) manager, surrounded by a technical team.

See more about the TNO High Tech Industry Unit and the Space Systems Engineering group.

You will work in an environment where engineering depth, teamwork and practical judgement are valued. Projects are multidisciplinary, technically challenging and closely connected to real space missions, offering you the opportunity to make a visible contribution to mission success. As a Software Product Assurance / Quality Assurance (PA/QA) manager, you play a central role in ensuring that complex, software intensive systems are developed, delivered and maintained in a controlled, reliable and verifiable manner.

You are embedded in multidisciplinary project teams that design, implement, integrate and verify software intensive systems. These systems are developed under strict quality, reliability and compliance expectations, often involving multiple stakeholders, suppliers and development partners.

This is not a desk only role. While you are formally part of the Product Assurance team based in Delft, you will spend most of your time embedded in projects at our The Hague location. There, you act as the local authority and point of reference for Software PA/QA, providing guidance, independent oversight and decision support to project teams, management and customers.

As Software PA/QA authority, you are responsible for safeguarding software quality, integrity and compliance throughout the entire system lifecycle. Herewith you:

• Define, review and maintain software quality and product assurance plans, aligned with project objectives, contractual requirements and applicable standards.
• Ensure that software lifecycle processes (requirements management, design, implementation, integration, verification and validation) are clearly defined, followed and adequately evidenced.
• Assess the consistency and completeness of software requirements, architecture descriptions, verification plans and acceptance criteria.
• Verify that traceability is established and maintained between requirements, design elements, software items and verification evidence.
• Review and assess software verification and validation results, including test coverage, test results and problem reports, and judge readiness for release or acceptance.
• Monitor and guide configuration management, change management and release management for software and associated documentation.
• Take the lead in the classification of deviations or non-conformances, analysis and resolution, ensuring that risks are understood, mitigated and formally accepted where necessary.
• Work…