About the role
Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability At Hypersonica , we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast. By joining Hypersonica , you’re not stepping into a predefined role. You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously. We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence. \n
What you'll do Build and lead Hypersonica’s UK quality function across design, supply chain, manufacturing, assembly, test, and production. Design and implement a lean, scalable Quality Management System from zero, aligned to AS9100 and relevant defence quality
requirements. Own the pathway to AS9100 certification, including gap assessment, process architecture, documentation, internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions, and certification readiness. Define the minimum credible quality controls required for prototype, development, qualification, and production hardware, increasing rigour as the programme matures. Embed quality into engineering and operations from the outset, ensuring
requirements, design decisions, change control, verification evidence, and build records remain clear and traceable. Own nonconformance, MRB, concessions, deviations, CAPA, and root-cause processes, ensuring issues are contained quickly and permanently resolved. Build the supplier quality operating model, including supplier selection, qualification, quality agreements, audits, first article inspection, incoming inspection, performance management, and corrective action. Establish product and process quality controls across manufacturing and assembly, including inspection plans, critical characteristics, special processes, calibration, measurement systems, and configuration traceability. Define and lead quality readiness gates across design reviews, production readiness reviews, first article inspection, test readiness, and flight readiness. Act as the senior quality authority during high-consequence decisions, balancing programme speed with evidence, traceability, and product integrity. Build audit-ready systems by default, ensuring evidence exists because it supports delivery rather than because someone may ask for it later. Lead engagement with customers, certification bodies, auditors, suppliers, and defence stakeholders on quality matters. Create concise quality metrics that leadership actually uses, including NCR cycle time, escape rate, supplier quality, first-pass yield, audit findings, CAPA closure, and recurring defect trends. Build and lead the future UK quality team, defining the required capabilities across design quality, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, and quality systems. Establish a culture where quality is owned by everyone and the quality function enables engineering rather than policing it.
