QA-PA Manager Space Systems Engineering

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a QA-PA Manager Space Systems Engineering 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 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, 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?

As a Quality and Product Assurance (QA-PA) Manager in the Space Systems Engineering department, you play a central role in delivering flightworthy space instruments and systems. You are embedded in multidisciplinary project teams that design, build, integrate and test real space hardware systems that must survive launch and perform flawlessly in orbit.

Although we collaborate closely with universities, our work is firmly industry-driven; we bridge research and practice, turning academic advances into robust, manufacturable solutions together with industrial partners.

This is not a desk only role. You work closely with system engineers, electronics designers, MAIT engineers and suppliers, translating Product Assurance principles into practical, engineering focused decisions that directly support mission success.

• As QA-PA Manager, you are responsible for safeguarding reliability, safety and quality throughout the full project lifecycle. Herewith you ensure that space instruments and systems meet their mission objectives in a safe and reliable manner, from early design through integration, testing and delivery.
• Actively contribute to making supporting electronics and associated control software compatible with the space environment.
• Monitor and support the correct use of procedures, materials and processes, both within TNO and at subcontractors and suppliers.
• Personally review hardware, witness inspections and tests, and challenge documentation until it is technically sound, complete and unambiguous.
• Take the lead when non conformances occur, initiating reporting, chairing technical discussions with customers and suppliers, and driving decisions that balance risk, cost and schedule.
• Anticipate potential failure mechanisms early, perform and support risk based analyses, and implement preventive actions in a cost effective way.
• Act as an independent, reliable sparring partner for customers, able to explain QA-PA considerations clearly and credibly in a technical context.
• Understand that in space projects there are no second chances—and that this fundamentally shapes how engineering and assurance decisions are made.
• 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.

What we expect from you

We invite candidates who recognise themselves in the following profile:

• A higher professional education (B.E./HBO) or university degree (M.Sc./WO) in a technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in Product Assurance or Quality Assurance within space, aerospace, defense, or similarly high reliability, low volume development environments.
• Proven experience working directly with hardware (e.g. electronics, mechanisms, opto mechanical systems or comparable high tech products).
• Experience in development projects, including participation in design reviews, test readiness reviews and non conformance processes.
• Solid understanding of PA and QA principles, including risk management and compliance with applicable standards.
• Familiarity with space systems (large or small satellites) or comparable complex, high reliability systems.
• Technical knowledge of materials and processes for demanding environments such as vacuum, radiation and thermal extremes.
• Experience in collaborating with suppliers and subcontractors in complex project ecosystems.
• Ability to use standards (e.g. ECSS) as a tool to support engineering decisions, including tailoring where appropriate.
• Strong communication and organisational skills; able to challenge engineers constructively and act as a trusted technical counterpart to customers.
• Bonus: knowledge of software and firmware for precision control systems or electronics for space applications.
• 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.

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.
• 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.