EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, operating a fleet of satellites delivering weather and climate-related satellite data and images to our users worldwide; helping protect lives, property and industries. Further satellites are in preparation for launch.

The Quality Assurance Competence Area (QA CA) provides quality assurance services and support to all Departments, Programmes and Projects. The successful candidate will functionally manage the quality assurance engineers working in matrix arrangement as integrated functional support directly in the teams they work for. The holder of this post has the responsibility for the management and delivery of the Quality Assurance support in line with quality assurance standards, the needs of the organisation and best practices.

Reporting to the Head of Process Assurance and Management Support Division (PRS), the successful candidate will get the unique opportunity to contribute with her/his expertise, leadership skills and strategic mind-set to all quality assurance activities across EUMETSAT.

Duties

The responsibilities of the holder of this post are as follows:

• Manage the Quality Assurance Competence Area (QA-CA), including securing the continued availability of Quality Assurance expertise and know-how;

• Manage the delivery of quality assurance support to all Departments, including management processes, products and services, that provide reasonable assurance that programmes/projects and routine activities will meet their assigned targets;

• In line with the EUMETSAT Management System, implement, maintain and continually improve Quality Assurance Framework, promoting the use of a cross-departmental, coherent and harmonised suite of Quality Assurance working practices in line with specific programme/project needs, and establish/maintain related metrics;

• Support the implementation of QA processes at all levels in the organisation, such as risk management, lesson learned, anomalies management;

• Ensure implementation of QA requirements in relevant contracts, identifying issues, risks, non-conformities and associated implications;

• Organise and perform Quality Audits on Contractors in line with established contractual requirements and procurement needs. Perform and/or support EUMETSAT internal quality audits, in coordination with the Quality Management unit.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in Quality Assurance, particularly regarding the design, development, IV&V and operations and maintenance of complex, software-intensive systems/products. Experience gained in the field of space programmes would be a distinct advantage;

• Demonstrated experience leading large Quality Assurance teams, developing people, managing performance and ensuring long-term continuity of critical skills;

• Proven experience defining and implementing Quality Assurance policies, objectives, working practices, and procedures;

• Solid knowledge and practice of the following standards: ISO 9000 series; ECSS/EN standards series;

• Sound problem solving/analysis and monitoring skills;

• Certification as a Quality Auditor will be considered as advantage;

• Proactive attitude, strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to apply these to working within and across teams, as well as a customer-oriented approach.