Software PA/QA Manager | DELFT

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Software PA/QA Manager at TNO in Delft!

About this position

Space and Aerospace plays a crucial role in the daily lives of everyone on Earth. Communication, navigation and observation satellites as well as their innovative information systems, terminals and high-tech instruments are becoming a unique part of our planet's infrastructure. TNO works on aerospace technology together with the Dutch government, companies, institutes and universities.

The Space Systems Engineering expertise group develops and supplies opto-mechatronic instruments and systems for space, ground-based astronomy and conducts scientific research. The demands placed on these systems are generally on the limits of what is technically feasible.

TNO works together with partners, subcontractors, suppliers and clients from the European industrial sector and with sister institutes at home and abroad. Projects have the character of a delivery obligation for a fixed price, and generally fall within the European space policy that is controlled by ESA, the European space agency.

The projects are multidisciplinary in nature, involving specialists from TNO in the fields of optics, mechanics, electronics, mechatronics and production. The project size varies from half a million to 5 million, with durations of several years. Due to the growth of projects in the LaserSatcom domain as well as the defence domain, TNO has started a development in supporting electronics and associated control software. The project organization usually consists of a core team of Project Manager, System Engineer, Quality-Product Assurance manager and MAIT (Manufacturing-Assembly-Integration-Testing) manager, surrounded by a technical team.

What will be your role?

You will work in an environment where engineering depth, teamwork and practical judgement are valued. Projects are multidisciplinary, technically challenging and closely connected to real space missions, offering you the opportunity to make a visible contribution to mission success.

As a Software Product Assurance / Quality Assurance (PA/QA) manager, you play a central role in ensuring that complex, software intensive systems are developed, delivered and maintained in a controlled, reliable and verifiable manner.

You are embedded in multidisciplinary project teams that design, implement, integrate and verify software intensive systems. These systems are developed under strict quality, reliability and compliance expectations, often involving multiple stakeholders, suppliers and development partners.

This is not a desk only role. While you are formally part of the Product Assurance team based in Delft, you will spend most of your time embedded in projects at our The Hague location. There, you act as the local authority and point of reference for Software PA/QA, providing guidance, independent oversight and decision support to project teams, management and customers.

Your role and responsibilities

As Software PA/QA authority, you are responsible for safeguarding software quality, integrity and compliance throughout the entire system lifecycle. Herewith you:

• Define, review and maintain software quality and product assurance plans, aligned with project objectives, contractual requirements and applicable standards.
• Ensure that software lifecycle processes (requirements management, design, implementation, integration, verification and validation) are clearly defined, followed and adequately evidenced.
• Assess the consistency and completeness of software requirements, architecture descriptions, verification plans and acceptance criteria.
• Verify that traceability is established and maintained between requirements, design elements, software items and verification evidence.
• Review and assess software verification and validation results, including test coverage, test results and problem reports, and judge readiness for release or acceptance.
• Monitor and guide configuration management, change management and release management for software and associated documentation.
• Take the lead in the classification when deviations or non-conformances occur, analysis and resolution, ensuring that risks are understood, mitigated and formally accepted where necessary.
• Work closely with suppliers and subcontractors to evaluate their software development and quality practices and to assess delivered software artefacts and evidence.
• Act as an independent sparring partner and authority within projects, able to challenge decisions constructively and to explain quality and assurance considerations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What we expect from you

We are looking for a senior Software PA/QA professional who combines technical understanding with authority, pragmatism and a strong sense of responsibility:

• A higher professional education (B.E./HBO) or university degree (M.Sc./WO) in software engineering, systems engineering, computer science or a closely related technical discipline.
• Extensive experience (3 to 10 years) in software product assurance, software quality assurance or systems assurance in complex, software intensive projects.
• Proven experience working with structured software development lifecycles, including requirements management, verification and configuration control.
• Strong understanding of software quality principles, risk based assurance and lifecycle governance.
• Experience reviewing and accepting software deliverables and evidence, including plans, specifications, test reports and release documentation.
• Ability to operate as an independent authority within projects, while remaining a constructive and trusted member of the team.
• Strong communication skills, capable of interfacing with developers, system engineers, project management, suppliers and customers.
• Comfortable working across locations, with Delft as home base and The Hague as primary project location.
• Comfortable working in the space and defence domain.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

Perhaps you would like to grow your career in the direction of commerce or consultancy? Or would you like to become a project manager? Immerse yourself in sustainable innovations? Or carve out a career as a technical expert?

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• Extensive relocation package for international candidates.
• A good pension scheme.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.