Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers influence engineering and project management decision making through the provision of QA advice. They plan, do, check and act on QA. They also set out contract QA requirements, select suppliers, monitor and report supplier quality performance and support project delivery as well as undertaking contract closure activities to enable lessons learnt. The incumbent will be part of small teams, interact personally with suppliers' QA teams, and brief senior engineers on QA solutions to project challenges and how to exploit opportunities.

The Air Support Operating Centre (AS OC) is responsible for the delivery of a dynamic and diverse portfolio of equipment and services. The position consists of multiple activities applied at all levels of Acquisition, to which the primary role is delivering technical assurance to DTs for the management of risk, both internally and across the contractual boundary. The AT is a deployable assignment providing quality assurance services within the DTs and is responsible for deploying the GQA Framework.

The incumbent will lead small teams, interacting personally with suppliers' QA teams and briefing more senior engineers on QA solutions to project challenges and opportunities. They must be a forward thinking individual, able to engage with people and confident managing people without escalation. Confident at working as part of a team but also in isolation. Must be a team player in a project environment and a motivated, self-starter. You should be a forward thinker who can engage at all levels; confident in managing people and working as part of a team; a team player in a project environment and a motivated, self-starter; and able to work autonomously.

Please note that whilst this role is based at Cambridge, there is a requirement to visit MOD Abbey Wood and aircraft Main Operating Bases, such as RAF Brize Norton and Northolt on a regular basis, as well as abroad when the occasion arises.

Key Responsibilities:

* Conduct GQA planning for acquisition activities to be conducted input to project risk identification and assessment process

* Ensure that the contract related risks are considered during the Contract Requisition process and that appropriate QA Standards and Requirements are included in the contract

* Accept or reject and manage Deliverable Quality Plans and co-ordinate and monitor all projects related activities, including the measurement of contract quality performance

* Consult with Government Quality Assurance Representatives (GQAR) to inform on acquisition risks including the identification that can be mitigated by tasking GQAR to conduct Government Quality Assurance Surveillance

* Planning, scheduling and in conjunction with the DT delivering audit and assurance activities within AT, to meet requirements of DE&S Policy, Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regulation and the AS OC Safety & Environmental Management System

* Acting as the point of contact for stakeholders on engineering assurance and quality matters and advice, in addition to providing support to the Mil CAMO on request

* Identifying aspects of good practice for adoption across AS OC, as part of the ongoing process of continuous improvement

To be found successful you must demonstrate the following essential criteria:

* To display the Leadership element of the CQI competence framework1 i.e. to be an advocate for Quality, to be a Thinker in terms of Systems and facts and to be a Quality person

* To be a competent Engineer with Quality Assurance experience as applied to complex engineering projects delivered through a supply chain

* To be experienced in Engineering with an understanding of Quality Assurance

* To have Qualified with a minimum of HNC/NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in an Engineering/Science related discipline OR previous relevant work experience, ideally within Quality Assurance

It would benefit your application should you be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

* Specific Quality Assurance experience, however relevant experience will also be considered. This includes experience in manufacturing processes, operating in a technical environment, internal quality management, auditing and working with NATO

If you are invited to an interview, you will be assessed against the following technical competencies:

* Technical Decision Making

* Acquisition Assurance

If you are invited to an interview, you will be assessed against the following behaviours:

* Communicating and influencing

* Changing and improving

Please note that this post closes on Sunday 16th August 2020

Matchtech Group Plc is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.