Senior Quality Engineer

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. What you'll do • Stand up and run a lean, effective Quality Management System suitable for a fast-iterating hypersonic hardware programme, aligned to an AS9100 pathway without adding bureaucracy. • Own the nonconformance process end to end: containment, root cause, corrective actions, and prevention (NCR, MRB, concessions) with tight turnaround times. • Build the quality backbone for prototype to flight hardware, including inspection planning, traceability, and documentation discipline that supports test and readiness reviews. • Drive supplier quality for critical components: onboarding criteria, audits (as needed), incoming inspection standards, supplier performance tracking, and rapid resolution of escapes. • Partner with engineering and manufacturing to embed DFM/DFA + quality by design early, so we don’t “inspect quality in” later. • Define and maintain pragmatic measurement and calibration controls (as appropriate) and ensure controlled processes for special processes where relevant. • Create simple quality dashboards that leadership actually uses: escape rate, NCR cycle time, top defect drivers, supplier OTD/quality trends. • Be hands-on in the build. When something is off, you are on the floor with the team finding the truth and driving the fix. Who you are • Quality engineer with 4+ years experience in aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, motorsport, or other high-consequence hardware environments. • Deeply practical: you can run a QMS, but you care more about real outcomes than paperwork. • Experienced in NCR/MRB/concessions and closing corrective actions fast with strong root cause discipline. • Comfortable operating around flight-critical / safety-critical hardware with traceability and evidence requirements. • Supplier-quality capable: you can hold suppliers to a high bar without slowing the programme. • Strong judgement: you know when to apply rigor and when to keep it minimal so the team stays fast. • Comfortable in ambiguity and pace: you will build systems from scratch and improve them as we learn. What we offer • A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security. • Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence , with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow. • High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement , just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes. • A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions. • A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and p