Product Assurance Manager (Space Hardware/Mechanics)
Location: Eching / Munich Area (On-site with ad-hoc home-office flexibility)
Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Experience Level: Minimum 10 years
Language: English (C1 required); German is a plus
About the Opportunity
We are collaborating with an innovative and fast-growing player in the European space industry dedicated to providing decisive technological capabilities and furthering strategic space independence for Europe. Offering a dynamic, flat-hierarchy environment working at the forefront of space hardware and mechanics, they bring together a multicultural team of discipline experts.
They are seeking a seasoned Product Assurance Manager to lead and shape quality and product assurance across critical space missions. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring mission success, compliance, and continuous improvement across all projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Compliance: Design, implement, and update Product Assurance (PA) and Quality Assurance (QA) processes, plans, and procedures in strict compliance with ECSS frameworks and relevant ISO standards.
- Team Leadership: Lead and manage the Project PA/QA team, setting clear objectives, defining roles, and driving high performance.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate seamlessly with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and Work-Package Managers to embed quality management throughout the entire project lifecycle.
- KPIs & Reporting: Establish, monitor, and analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), non-conformities, trend analyses, audit statuses, and cost-of-quality metrics. Present monthly status reports directly to the CEO.
- Documentation & Governance: Ensure comprehensive, up-to-date documentation is organized and readily accessible to all relevant stakeholders.
Requirements & Qualifications
Must-Haves
- Education: Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
- Core Experience: Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience working directly with ECSS standards to ensure full compliance as a Product Assurance Manager. (Note: Mastery of ECSS and full compliance capability takes precedence over direct space sector background).
- Standards Pre-Condition: Deep, proven expertise in relevant ISO standards (ISO 9001 required; ISO 9100 highly desirable) as a mandatory pre-condition for success in this role.
- Execution: Proven track record of delivering work-packages successfully within strict time and budget constraints.
- Toolbox: Mastery of quality management tools and techniques (e.g., FMEA, 8D, root-cause analysis, KPI dashboards).
- Language: Professional fluency in English (C1 level, written and spoken).
Nice-to-Haves
- Practical knowledge of German language skills.
- Specialized expertise in ISO 9100.
- Prior leadership experience managing PA/QA teams within hardware manufacturing or high-reliability engineering environments.
Personal Attributes
- Highly detail-oriented with a proactive, forward-thinking mindset capable of anticipating and resolving potential PA/QA issues before they arise.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Resilient under pressure, capable of handling tight timeframes and managing multiple concurrent projects.
- Self-motivated team player with a passion for continuous learning.
Work Environment & Benefits
- Location & Infrastructure: Modern office space located in Eching (~6 minutes walking distance to the U-Bahn, with great local amenities including shops, restaurants, and a gym).
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours with core times and ad-hoc home-office days by agreement (predominantly on-site role; no travel required).
- Culture: Flat hierarchies, casual dress code, a relaxed multicultural atmosphere, and a strong culture of knowledge-sharing and individual growth.
Are you ready to take a front-row seat in cutting-edge European space missions? Apply today with your CV and details.
