Astronomy jobs

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: Band D (S1)£46,444 per annum

Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Contract Type: Open-Ended

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh.

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About the Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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).

Employee Benefits:

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.

Work Location: In person