Looking for more than just a job? Step into a role where your work truly matters and be part of cutting-edge defence projects shaping the future, supporting and protecting the UKs interests. The F-35 programme is the worlds largest single defence programme, led by the US with seven partner nations. The UK has played a major role from the outset resulting in significant contracts and jobs for UK industry, and the Lightning Delivery Team is a combined effort of both civilian and military staff across a multitude of professions and locations. As the F-35 Programme Quality Assurance Manager you will provide confidence to internal and external stakeholders the F-35 UK project is being delivered in accordance with stated and regulatory processes. The Lightning Delivery Team is responsible for the procurement and support of the United Kingdoms F-35 Lightning aircraft, working in collaboration with the Joint Programme Office, and the Quality Assurance Manager role is essential in ensuring the F-35 Joint Program is being progressed in an effective and compliant manner. Working within the Joint Programme Office you will act as the UK point of contact for developing and managing the Quality Management System. Your role will be to coordinate targeted assurance that reduces risk exposure at key stages of the projects life-cycle, or within key business processes; and provide specialist advice and guidance in relation to Quality matters. Key to the role in this highly regulated environment will be the development of relationships with partner nations and stakeholders. Along with other assurance and compliance leads, you will develop and implement assurance for project and product that is proportionate, building collaborative networks that are aligned for project success. You will continue to develop and manage the Joint Programme Office Quality Management System and liaise with the central DE&S Fixed Wing Quality Team to maintain and develop the management of Quality within the Joint Programme Office F-35 environment. Actively engaging with the US Governments Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) you will ensure that the Quality Assurance interface with UK industry is best managed. The F-35 program is the worlds largest single defence programme with the US and seven other partner nations and you will be expected to travel regularly between F-35 programme sites within the USA and internationally, dependent on quality failings or necessary assurance requirements. As this is an overseas assignment the role is full time only and tour length of 3 years, with the successful applicant working out of the F-35 Joint Program Office headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, USA. Prior to moving overseas the successful applicant will initially take up the post in the UK, spending time in Bristol and at RAF Marham to prepare for the role and to gain a baseline understanding of the F-35 international program and UK Lightning Delivery Team processes. For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A sole UK national refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. Please ensure that you can travel to the required UK location prior to application. Relocation support will not be provided for the UK based training. Questions regarding the UK training requirement should be directed to the recruiting line manager using the contact information at the bottom of this advert. Before submitting your application, it is recommended that you review the Selection Process Details and guidance on CV writing. The Lightning Delivery Team operates under the Production, Sustainment, & Follow-on Development (PSFD) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Annex C of the MoU defines theneed for Cooperative Program Participants (CPP) resourced from Partner Nations, to workwithin the Joint Program Office under the US Government. Those in Cooperative ProgramParticipants roles work for the US Government, whilst maintaining UK MOD responsibilities andUK CPPs remain employees of the UK MOD under UK T&Cs. Living in the Northern Virginia area. Arlington, Virginia borders Washington DC and is home to museums such as the Smithsonianinstitutions, the National art galleries, and the National Mall, which contains the Lincoln,Washington, and Jefferson memorials. Outside of work, living in this area provides greatopportunities with many theatres and concert venues, a global food scene and throughout theyear, DC hosts multiple festivals and parades, including Independence Day, Memorial Day, andthe Latino festival. Public transport is good, with the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia) having an extensive busand subway system (Metro) reaching out into the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland with aMetrorail station directly servicing Crystal City. New York is 3 hours by train and the regionsthree airports provide an extensive choice of domestic and international flights. The overall standard of living in the area is excellent and assistance is provided through a costof living allowance (COLA) paid with salary. The amount of COLA allotted is dependent onfamily circumstances/size and accommodation and most utilities are provided at no cost to thepost holder. What youll be doing Conduct Government Quality Assurance planning, appropriate for the acquisition activities to be conducted input to the project risk identification and assessment process. Ensure that contract related risks are considered during the Contract Requisition process and that appropriate QA Standards and Requirements are included in the contracts. Accept or reject and manage Deliverable Quality Plans and co-ordinate and monitor all projects related quality assurance activities, including measurement of contract quality performance. Consult with DCMA and UK Government Quality Assurance Representatives (GQAR) to inform on acquisition risks including the identification of risks that can be mitigated by tasking GQAR to conduct Government Quality Assurance Surveillance. Discuss the requirements for Counterfeit Avoidance with the Project Manager and relevant Subject Matter Experts and the inclusion of Def Stan 05-135: Avoidance of Counterfeit Materiel in the contract, as necessary. Ensure adherence to a controlled process to manage supplier concession applications and ensure that corrective and preventive actions are completed in a timely manner. Deploy the Government Quality Assurance framework within a major project or service producing the QA Plan and specifying the requirements within the Through Life Management Plan. Responsible for managing and integrating multi-function QA delivery teams; directing QA resources to deliver packages of work / services, including complex upgrades, utilising new and existing technologies and interfacing with multiple stakeholders. Interpret QA and wider engineering policy and management information to provide relevant business insights to the senior leadership team to help shape Portfolio QA Strategy and Policy. You will be responsible to manage UK MOD requirements and liaise with both Fixed Wing QA Lead and UK TAA/Deputy Chief Engineer. If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com Person specification To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria : Applied knowledge of Quality Assurance within the acquisition environment supported by expertise in multiple QA specialist areas including Configuration Management Breadth of industry/manufacturing and QA experience gained from involvement with multiple projects and domains including supply chain engagement Be registered with the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) as Practitioner grade (PCQI) or higher Hold an Engineering qualification at RQF Level 6 or Engineering qualification at RQF Level 4 and be registered with the Engineering Council as Engineering Technician (EngTech) Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview: Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions (CSBC3) Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing (CSBC3) Technical Competence 1: ECF 5.1 Quality Policy and Principles Practitioner Technical Competence 2: ECF 5.3 Quality Issues and Risk Practitioner Memberships Registration with the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) as Practitioner grade (PCQI) or higher Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: ECF 5.1 Quality Policy and Principles Practitioner ECF 5.3 Quality Issues and Risk Practitioner Benefits Alongside your salary of 46,400, Ministry of Defence contributes 13,442 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 25 days annual leave 1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the Kings birthday Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97% Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards Access to specialist training and funded qualifications Support for progression Huge range of discounts Volunteering days Enhanced parental leave schemes Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether youre looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here youll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know. Further Information Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles - Civil Service Commission Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions Civil Service Code: The Code - Civil Service Commission Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here. Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process. Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/ This post offers full relocation allowances subject to availability. Cost of Living Overseas Allowances is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Your application will go through the following stages of assessment: Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below: 1st: Core Behaviour 1 2nd: Core Behaviour 2 3rd: Technical Competencies 4th: CV Review In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission 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 withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Stephanie Marsh Email : DESHR-NonSTDResourcing@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam1@mod.gov.uk Further information Please see Further Information document attached. Attachments DE&S Engineering Competency Framework (ECF) Opens in new window (pdf, 9MB) 20241009 - Further Information - External (1) Opens in new window (docx, 34kB) Unmarried Partners Guidance - USA only Opens in new window (docx, 63kB)