Product Assurance Specialist

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £58,346 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: 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.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

We have a friendly and flexible work environment, on a beautiful site combining the historic Royal Observatory Edinburgh architecture with a high-tech engineering facility including modern laboratories and clean rooms.

We are currently seeking a Product Assurance Specialist (PA) to join the UKATC Quality team. The role will carry out product assurance activities across the UKATC project portfolio, which includes the development and delivery of a key subsystem for the world’s first space based gravitational wave observatory and equipment for the ESO Extremely Large Telescope. Working with other team members you will hold key responsibilities for product assurance activities on this equipment.

• Providing PA expertise throughout the product design and development phase to ensure compliance to quality standards and defined product assurance requirements.
• Contributing to and approval of system requirements specification and verification including safety, system failure, hazard and reliability engineering and analysis.
• Providing PA expertise, review and participation in project gateway reviews, including preparation and follow-up activity.
• Maintaining Product Assurance Plans and managing their application.
• Interacting with consortium partners, suppliers and the customer on Product Assurance matters including providing appropriate support and auditing.
• Ensuring robust Product Data Management (PDM) and Configuration Item Data List (CIDL) management.
• Contributing to the Engineering Change Request process and chairing of the change review and control board.
• Implementing contamination control and cleanroom quality processes, critical for space hardware assembly and optical systems.

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a STEM subject, or equivalent professional development.
• Responsibility and competence to the requirements of Professional Registration e.g. CQP or suitable equivalent.
• Experience in a lead Product Assurance role within a formal quality management system meeting the requirements of European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS), ISO 9001, or other similarly highly regulated industry.
• Experience of relevant space industry technical and quality standards and product assurance principles (such as ECSS, ESCC, NASA, MIL) or demonstration of equivalent transferrable knowledge and experience from another highly regulated industry.
• Experience of leading and reviewing technical work and/or project or product conformance documentation; and participation in project gateway reviews, engineering change control, non-conformance management and processes, product data management, safety and reliability, documenting and maintaining evidence of compliance.
• Understands some of the main engineering aspects (e.g. mechanical, optical, electronics, software) and the key physical and engineering challenges of building equipment for space flight. Including environmental qualification (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock).
• Evidence of good people and organisational skills including effective time management, organising and prioritisation, review responsibility for the work of others, attention to detail and teamwork.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication in English.

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