Lead – Safety Quality Engineer

We are Ultra Precision Control Systems

Ultra PCS is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.

We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.

We also offer innovative products optimised to support the unique challenges of the dismounted soldier. We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Flexible Working

Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment. It's the 'innovating' and 'empowering' values that we ASPIRE to be. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

Ultra Precision Control Systems (PCS) are looking for a Lead Safety Quality Engineer to join the Quality Function on a Fixed Term Basis to cover Maternity Leave.

The Ultra Assurance function is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and fulfilment of Ultra's Quality Policy, which is to comply fully in the conduct of the Company's business with all applicable regulatory and customer required specifications, and to maintain an effective Quality Management System, working in partnership with the Operations and Engineering teams to ensure that products and processes conform to applicable standards and specifications, and the incidence and costs of quality non-conformances are constantly monitored and improved, while maintaining the highest practicable standards of manufacturing productivity and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Safety Manager with the running of the Safety department and lead the QEs in all tasks Safety related.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements such as:
  • Lead with facilitating hazard identification, risk assessment and management;
  • Monitor the implementation of actions taken to mitigate risks, as listed in the MOEs & POE, unless action follow-up is addressed by the compliance monitoring function;
  • Lead with the provision of periodic reports on safety performance to the Safety Action Group (SAG) and Safety Review Board (SRB);
  • Ensure the maintenance of safety management documentation;
  • Ensure that required safety training is conducted and meets acceptable standards;
  • Support with the provision of advice on safety matters;
  • Ensure the initiation and follow-up of internal occurrence investigations.
• Lead the Safety Management function by engaging in multi-function, multi-site groups that develop company directives, policies, processes, procedures and metrics to assure program, contract, customer, regulatory requirements, international standards and working agreements are deployed.
• Support stakeholders in analysis of safety related process data, metrics, models and flows to identify root cause of complex problems and development and implementation of preventative or corrective actions.
• Conduct research, compile and analyse performance reports and process control statistics to continuously improve safety process capability.
• Support safety elements for quality source selection via approved processes and process capability assessments of suppliers' ability to meet program quality requirements and support business decisions.
• Support the development of the Safety audit scope, schedule, and plans to determine compliance with regulator/customer safety management system expectations, configuration assurance, related business, regulatory and customer requirements, and report results to management
• Support any investigations arising from Quality issues through to their documented conclusion, with supporting root cause analysis and solutions to prevent re-occurrence
• Ensuring Quality measures with associated targets are maintained for QA Compliance
• Support of external Quality audits, assessments and visits by customers and authorities
• Support in the coordination and facilitation of timely responses and resolution of quality issues identified
• Assist with the generation of Quality Plans and proposals
• Participate in Engineering Design Project reviews and auditing these projects to ensure compliance to internal QMS requirements
• Support Operators Approval Processes, including issuing of Stamps and Scopes of Approval
• Ensure the departmental objectives are achieved in line with the job holder’s individual objectives
• Perform duties in accordance with company policies, procedures and processes
• Develop and support of a business improvement culture and associated activities e.g. process mapping, lean, continuous improvements etc.
• Assist with the maintenance of company approvals e.g. EASA/CAA, FAR, ISO, AS etc. to maintain airworthiness
• There may be additional activities to perform from time to time in order to maximise the contribution to Ultra goals and objectives

Required Skills & Experience:

Essential

• Clear understanding of the processes involved in identifying, categorising and managing hazards and risks associated with aerospace products.
• Has a proven range of Quality/Business Improvement experience
• Proven experience working within a quality management system
• Experience with auditing, both internal and supporting external audits Knowledge of manufacturing environment and working with a supply chain
• Experience of liaising with internal and external customers
• Good communication skills demonstrated both verbally and in writing in the form of presentations and recommendations for improvement
• Works effectively with others
• Demonstrated experience in building good working relationships and gaining trust and respect with internal and external customers
• Plans work and delivers on time
• Demonstrates a “Can do” positive attitude
• Use own initiative within the scope of the role
• Makes timely decisions within the scope of the role
• Proactively able to manage own work to in order to achieve objectives
• Good application of Microsoft packages and relevant software for the role (Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Has worked in an Aerospace Organisation
• Experience in:

o Aerospace quality standards (e.g.  AS9100, CAA Part 21, CAA & EASA Part 145 etc.)

o Other aerospace topics e.g. FOD, counterfeit avoidance etc.

o First Article / Parts Approval reporting methods (E.g. AS9102, PPAP etc.)

o Process Measurement techniques (e.g. SPC, KPIs, etc .)

o Quality Management System and Process Mapping Software

• Certified Quality Auditor training
• Education linked to Engineering Qualifications
• Educated to at least A level at grade C or above (or equivalent)
• Ideally educated to degree level

Benefits:

Every employee is critical to our success and as such we offer a range of flexible employee benefits along with career development opportunities.

• Flexible working within core working hours

• 25 days holiday (185 hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37 hrs) plus bank holidays

• 4 times your annual salary in life assurance

• Flexible benefits package

• Pension Scheme - Less than 5 years' service up to 5.5% employer contributions, 5 years' service + up to 7.5% employer contributions. 

• Sports and Social club

• Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events

You couldn’t be joining the team and Ultra at a more exciting time. Therefore if this sounds of interest, please follow the application process

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.