Quality Assurance / Product Assurance Manager

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

A Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators), therefore have Space to Connect, Secure & Defend, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Ready to own the quality of complex space hardware that actually flies?

Thales Alenia Space in the UK is looking for a Product & Quality Assurance Manager to lead end‑to‑end quality across satellite units, subsystems and systems – from design and manufacture through to delivery and launch‑critical reviews.

Why this role matters

• Play a key role in mission success by ensuring products and services meet demanding customer, space‑agency and internal standards for hardware and documentation. ​

• Act as the recognised quality authority on projects, with the duty and power to raise alerts and exercise veto when safety, compliance or performance are at risk.

What you will do

• Own Product & Quality Assurance for assigned UK projects, ensuring compliance with requirements, space standards, the TAS UK Quality Management System (Chorus 2), and project Quality Plans. ​

• Plan and manage quality activities in line with project schedules, budgets and specifications, working closely with Project Management, Engineering and AIT teams. ​

• Lead and coordinate key project reviews (KO AIT, MRR, TRR, TRB, DRB), making sure documentation is consistent, coherent and decision‑ready. ​

• Coordinate specialist quality disciplines (RAMS, M&P, EEE Parts, Reliability, FMECA, etc.) to provide an integrated quality view across the full product lifecycle.

• Support inspection and test activities (MIPs) to verify that products are built and accepted to the required standards. ​

Assurance, non‑conformance and suppliers

• Chair and supervise Non‑Conformance Review Boards (NRBs), driving robust root‑cause analysis, corrective actions and lessons learned.

• Prepare Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and compile/review EIDP documentation, certifying that delivered products meet contractual and applicable space quality standards.

• Ensure subcontractor and supplier quality requirements are clearly flowed down, controlled and fully aligned with project and customer expectations.

Partnering and wider impact

• Provide a visible point of contact for customers’ quality representatives and internal quality authorities on assigned projects.

• Support bid teams by reviewing PA/QA requirements, proposing quality strategies, and estimating quality effort for new business opportunities.

• Contribute to Quality APU activities, audits and continuous‑improvement initiatives, helping to strengthen TAS UK’s quality culture and performance.

What you bring

• Background in engineering or quality, with experience in product and/or quality assurance for complex hardware (space, aerospace, defence or similar regulated industries).

• Understanding of RAMS, materials and processes, EEE parts and reliability methods, with the confidence to challenge and influence multi‑disciplinary teams.

• Strong communication, stakeholder management and documentation skills, with the ability to lead without direct line authority in a fast‑paced project environment.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions.  This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.  Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

#LI-DB1

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!