Head of Quality

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Quality

Location: Rochester – Onsite

Salary: Circa £90,000 dependent on skills & experiences + executive package

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role description:

This senior leadership role leads and manages a diverse, multi-skilled Quality function across our Rochester Business Centre, Kent, developing and embedding a structured Quality framework to ensure products and services consistently meet customer and industry standards (i.e. EN9100). You will drive strategic assurance activities and shape the deployment and continuous improvement of the Quality strategy across the business.

You will be accountable for end-to-end Quality performance and delivery, ensuring priorities and resources are effectively planned to meet operational demands. Working collaboratively, you will address challenges, enable high-performing teams, and ensure inclusive practices that support consistent, high-quality outcomes across all delivery streams.

Core duties:

• Ensuring compliance with quality certification requirements (i.e. EN/AS 9100) across the function or programme(s), maintaining consistent standards
• Acting as process and governance owner, approving key quality processes and ensuring adherence and continuous improvement
• Deploying Business Management System, supporting team understanding of risks, controls, and competence application
• Shaping and influencing quality objectives aligned to wider business strategy, ensuring inclusive and effective delivery outcomes
• Ensuring product quality requirements are clearly defined, understood, and consistently met across all delivery activities
• Leading quality governance and assurance frameworks, engaging stakeholders and senior teams to deliver strong, sustainable performance

Essential skills:

• You hold proven experience working within an AS/EN9100 environment, alongside strong knowledge of APQP and associated quality tools, with the ability to advocate their benefits
• You can Interpret, challenge, and communicate requirements using diverse data sources, contracts, and regulatory standards (e.g. AS/EN9100, MAA and CAA/EASA) effectively
• Demonstrable experience in leading complex quality investigations, applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies to drive learning and improvement
• You can manage and verify strategic actions, ensuring delivery aligns with quality objectives across programmes or business areas
• You identify and manage risks using appropriate tools, promoting proactive and transparent decision-making
• You can define and use KPIs to highlight risks, inform leaders, and support continuous quality improvement strategies
• You can collaborate across functions and teams and influence those who may not report to your organisation
• NC, HNC or degree qualified in CI (Continuous Improvement) or relevant technical discipline (or equivalent experience), with a background as an experienced quality professional or comparable expertise

The Rochester Quality Team:

Join an award‑winning team recognised as the 2025 CQI Quality Organisation of the Year, operating at the forefront of excellence. Be part of a high‑performing, growing business within BAE, shaping future quality professionals. Our work truly matters, protecting those who protect us, during an exciting period of transformation, including a new state‑of‑the‑art facility.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 3rd June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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