Supplier Product Assurance Engineer

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

To help us in this exciting journey, we are looking for a Supplier Product Assurance Engineer with a strong hardware background to ensure that all products meet the highest quality standards and lead key quality initiatives across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

As the Supplier Product Assurance Engineer, you will take on a leadership role within the project team, overseeing subcontractors to ensure their hardware quality processes are defined, implemented, and maintained throughout all stages of product development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing. You will also play a pivotal role in supporting the TEC Management System for supplier quality-related activities. You will work closely with the Project Quality team and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Product Assurance: Act as the Product Assurance Engineer for assigned projects, managing subcontractors’ product assurance activities, including requirements management, oversight, and ensuring compliance. This includes flowdown of requirements, tailoring by subcontractors, monitoring compliance, verifying their plans, and ensuring proper implementation.

• Verification Control Boards (VCBs): Contribute to subcontractor VCBs to make sure all the flown down requirements are met and their compliance assessed.

• Subcontractor Oversight: Control the progress of subcontractors’ activities through regular progress meetings and gate reviews.

• Non-Conformance & Risk Management: Manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), Requests for Deviation (RFDs), and Requests for Waiver (RFWs) issued by and to subcontractors and suppliers. Manage subcontractor alerts to mitigate risks.

• Change Management: Support the change management process between TEC and subcontractors.

• Data Pack Verification: Contribute to the verification of subcontractor Data Packs.

• Quality Reviews: Lead and participate in key reviews such as Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), Manufacturing Inspection Points (MIPs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Test Review Boards (TRBs), and Delivery Review Boards (DRBs) with subcontractors.

• Counterfeit Prevention: Oversee and ensure the integrity of counterfeit prevention processes in TEC.

• Critical Item Control: Ensure subcontractors identify their critical items and implement appropriate risk mitigation actions.

• Equipment Qualification Status Reviews (EQSRs): Contribute to EQSRs and monitor qualification activities related to subcontractors.

• Qualification & Evaluation: Oversee the subcontractor and supplier qualification and evaluation processes, including the execution of qualification audits.

• Supplier Performance Monitoring: Contribute to the monitoring of supplier KPIs and drive continuous improvement.

• Documentation Management: Ensure the accurate and timely transfer of subcontractors' inputs into TEC documents.

What We Would Love to See from You

• Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace) or a related field.

• Minimum of four years of experience in a quality role, with a strong focus on hardware product assurance.

• Proven experience with quality management systems and standards such as EN 9100, ISO 9001, and ECSS.

• Strong background in quality processes related to Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, and Testing of hardware.

• Experience in supplier quality audits

• ISO 9001/EN 9100 internal auditor

• Exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a high-tech environment.

• In-depth experience with inspection techniques, process controls, and managing non-conformance issues.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a capacity to influence stakeholders and champion quality initiatives.

• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

• Fluency in English is essential, German or French is a plus.

Additional Assets

• Knowledge of ECSS and NASA standards, particularly in hardware product assurance and space-grade hardware development.

• Experience with advanced root cause analysis methodologies and quality control software tools.

• Strong project management skills with a focus on continuous improvement initiatives.

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:  

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind 

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them  

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?  

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. 
 
The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.