Laboratory Quality Lead

About the job

Henlow

The Laboratory Quality Lead role for our Mechanical and Climatic Test Laboratory is an exciting opportunity to drive quality in our test activities as UKAS quality manager for the laboratory.

Salary: Circa £55,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The opportunity:

The Laboratory Quality Lead acts as UKAS Quality Manager for all Mechanical and Climatic test activities to ensure conformance with ISO 17025 prescribed by UKAS, for all tests for which the MBDA Mechanical and Climatic Laboratory holds UKAS accreditation. In this role you will also work closely with the company quality assurance team and local management to ensure adherence to all company / local processes for the conduct of Mechanical and Climatic Tests.  

The Laboratory Quality Lead role forms a key part of the local management team for the laboratory, reporting directly to the Head of Mechanical and Climatic Test. This role will work closely with the Test Team Leads and Test Engineers, conducting regular audits, managing local quality control issues in the delivery of testing and maintaining the laboratories UKAS accreditation.

The Laboratory Quality Lead is responsible for quality standards applicable to all test activities and internal calibration activities conducted by the Mechanical and Climatic Test Department. They are also responsible and accountable for maintaining UKAS accreditation to the requirements of ISO 17025. 

The Mechanical and Climatic Test Department deliver a wider range of complex trials for all applicable environments, testing all MBDA UK products at equipment and weapon level. The department has a friendly and collaborative culture and provides opportunities for further development and involvement in a diverse range of activities.

What we're looking for from you:

• Experience of Quality Assurance / Quality Management
• Familiar with Environmental Testing and / or Calibration
• Practical experience of quality processes, especially non-conformance management
• Competent in writing and reviewing technical documentation and processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desirable:

• Experience working with UKAS
• Experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
• Familiar with DEF STAN 00-035 and / or other environmental engineering standards

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation.  We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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