Product Introduction - Product Assurance Manager

Shape the quality of complex, high‑reliability systems from day one in this exciting role!

Salary:
Circa £65,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days per week on site due to workload classification

Security Clearance:
British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

• Company Bonus: up to 21% of base salary
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: we welcome applicants looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – enhancements available for paternity, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: subsidised meals, free car parking and more
• Healthcare Cash Plan: claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing
• Private Medical Insurance: standard enrolment into the company‑funded Private Medical Insurance benefit

We're looking for an experienced Quality professional to play a key role in assuring the successful introduction of new products into series production manufacturing. This is a high‑impact position where you will provide independent assurance, strategic quality leadership and risk mitigation across NPI programmes.

• Provide independent quality assurance and governance across NPI manufacturing programmes
• Act as a trusted advisor to Engineering and Manufacturing, influencing decisions to ensure quality, cost and delivery targets are achieved
• Lead risk identification and mitigation activities, embedding a proactive quality mindset early in the product life‑cycle
• Drive process effectiveness and continuous improvement, ensuring manufacturing methods are robust, repeatable and compliant
• Conduct and lead internal audits and independent assessments, reporting outcomes to senior stakeholders and ensuring timely resolution of findings
• Analyse non‑conformance and defect data, leading structured root‑cause investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions
• Facilitate and support PFMEA/DFMEA activities, ensuring risks are actively managed and reduced
• Support industrial validation and product introduction, ensuring readiness for manufacture at scale
• Champion the effective use of systems (e.g. SAP) for non‑conformance management and quality data insights
• Collaborate across functions and sites to share best practice and drive quality excellence

• High level of autonomy and influence across critical programmes
• Opportunity to shape how quality is embedded in NPI, not just audit it
• Exposure to complex, high‑reliability products in a cutting‑edge environment
• Direct visibility to senior stakeholders and real impact on business performance

• Proven experience in a senior quality or product assurance role within manufacturing or engineering
• Strong background in process‑based management systems and continuous improvement
• Demonstrable experience of risk management and structured problem‑solving (e.g. 8D, 5 Whys, PFMEA)
• Experience conducting audits and driving compliance within regulated environments
• Solid understanding of aerospace/defence quality standards such as AS9100 (or equivalent)
• Ability to influence, challenge and engage stakeholders at all levels
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into actionable improvements

• Knowledge of APQP/PPAP (AS9145) and First Article Inspection (AS9102)
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) in a complex manufacturing environment
• Experience in the application of Lean Six Sigma Approach