Quality Assurance

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 cleanrooms.

We are currently seeking a Quality Engineer (QA) to support the development and delivery of a key subsystem for the world’s first space based gravitational wave observatory.  Core to the role is ensuring that the project deliverable items, which include space flight hardware and associated documentation, conform to the agreed quality standards. There will also be scope to engage with other projects at the UKATC.

• Implement quality control processes and procedures, with particular focus on Assembly, Integration and Test of flight hardware.
• Conduct thorough quality inspections on both incoming and outgoing hardware.
• Ensure adherence of built products to processes and applicable standards including European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) requirements.
• Document creation and formatting, proper archive usage including accurate Metadata entry, application of the Configuration Management process.
• Change Request processes, Configuration Item Data List (CIDL) management, Review document submissions, drawing management.
• Non-conformance management.
• Ensure process adherence in line with in-house and project quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support process improvements.

Shortlisting Criteria

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

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a STEM subject, or a strong record of equivalent professional development (S).
• An understanding of manufacturing drawings, specifications, and instructions, with a working knowledge of engineering standards (ideally ECSS or ISO) (S&I).
• Knowledge and experience of quality management, quality control methods and tools, gained within a formal quality management system meeting the requirements of ECSS, ISO or industry equivalent (S&I).
• Knowledge and experience of configuration management and/or change management within a structured engineering system (S&I).
• Good people skills including organising own work and overseeing the work of others (S&I).
• Experience of creating technical work and reviewing the work produced by other people to defined requirements and/or the review of Project or Product conformance documentation (S&I).
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication in English (S&I).

We are offering an open-ended contract with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
• Flexible working hours
• An excellent average salary pension scheme
• Employee shopping/travel discounts
• Learning and development opportunities

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what is possible!

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.