Join Airbus UpNext as a Quality Manager based on-site in Cazaux, France. In this full-time, fixed-term role ending around July 2029, you will oversee quality and configuration management plans, support flight test campaigns, and ensure compliance for the High Aspect Ratio Wing Demonstrator.
Requirements
Minimum 10 years of aircraft knowledge and experience as a Quality Operational Manager in conversion and flight test campaigns.
Knowledge of quality methodologies such as Lean or PPS (plus).
FTI and GTR process knowledge (plus).
Mandatory fluency in French and intermediate English proficiency.
Strong pragmatic mindset, accountability, and safety-first attitude.
Skills & Responsibilities
Aircraft Quality Management: Oversee the Quality Plan, Configuration Management Plan, and Quality Audit Plan across the organization and teams.
Flight Test Oversight: Ensure quality processes are strictly applied during working parties, ground tests, and flight test campaigns.
Regulatory Compliance: Support audits for the Permit to Fly and liaise with authorities regarding aircraft status.
Issue Resolution: Ensure deviations and concessions are treated on-time and tracked appropriately while supporting the troubleshooting process.
Potential transition routes: People from aerospace quality assurance or flight test operations roles may bring relevant auditing and regulatory compliance skills, alongside meeting the mandatory aircraft experience requirements.
Job description
Job Description:
With the development of future Airbus programs accelerating, Airbus UpNext is launching the High Aspect Ratio Wing Demonstrator.
This high-stakes R&T flight platform has a dual mission: deliver flight-proven breakthroughs directly to future Airbus programs, and inject game-changing ideas to reshape how Airbus Commercial builds aircraft for the next 30 years.
Operating as a "startup within the giant," this program flies a heavily instrumented subsonic demonstrator platform to pioneer advanced flight physics technologies, aiming for a significant block fuel reduction. In parallel, we leverage an exclusive partnership with Mistral AI, deploying advanced AI capabilities to radically accelerate our development cycle.
Based in Cazaux (close to Bordeaux) within a flat, fast-paced project organization, this role requires close collaboration with the leadership team, industrial & MAP team, Aircraft Manager, Systems team.
This position comes with a limited contract (CDI-C) linked to the deliverable of the demo (estimated end date - end of July 2029), starting ASAP.
The Mission
You will work within the Programme team, with the main responsibilities as below:
Be accountable for the Quality Plan and Configuration Management Plan
Responsible of the Quality Audit Plan and running the audit through the organization & teams
Support audit for Permit to Fly and liaise with different authorities to present the aircraft status together with Programme Management
Ensure quality processes are applied during the working parties, ground tests & flight test campaign
Be the Quality representative at Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Cazaux
Responsible for closure of quality point in ALB tool when under Airbus Responsibility (GTP, Software loading)
Support A/C to Flight test Organization for Hand-over and TLB acceptance
Ensure deviation/concessions are treated on-time and tracked appropriately
Support the aircraft manager in his/her daily work
Participate to the daily operational review
Ensure troubleshooting process in place and followed by the different teams: Autonomy, System, Test & Indus
During the ground & flight test phase, key role to ensure all processes are respected and stamped any activities
Act as safety ambassador and ensure HSE rules are applied, supporting Plan de Prevention being written, applied & signed
Lead training plan for employees being in Cazaux and ensure adherence with Plan de Prevention
You will work very closely with the Aircraft Manager, MAP, Engineering & flight test teams, and cross-functionally with the Airbus Teams, as well as external stakeholders.
The tasks may evolve during the course of the project, so being flexible is important.
Travels to Toulouse , once a month to be anticipated
Your boarding pass:
Aircraft knowledge and previous experience on being Quality Operational Manager in conversion & flight test campaign (minimum 10 years)
Knowledge on quality methodology: Lean, PPS or other is a plus
FTI, GTR process knowledge and previous experience is definitely a plus
Your super power is to be pragmatic while no compromise on safety
Values of transparency, courage, humility, empathy
French is mandatory, English : intermediate level mandatory
About us
Founded in 2017, Airbus UpNext is actively shaping the future of aerospace by using demonstrators to evaluate, mature and validate new products and services. Our purpose is to pioneer game-changing technologies with Airbus.
In this role, you will embody the core Airbus UpNext values:
Care for Each Other : Ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment.
Be Simple : Finding the most efficient path to success.
Be Audacious : Challenging the status quo to make the unthinkable real.
Be Open: Collaborative solution-finding across diverse teams.
Speed of Execution : Moving at the speed of a startup.
Feel the fire in your belly when you read this? If so.... Send us your application!
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company: Airbus UpNext SAS
Employment Type: Fixed term -------
Experience Level: Professional
Job Family: Quality Assurance
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