Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there.
The Role:
We’re on the hunt for a Senior Quality Assurance Lead, emphasizing the role of Audit Quality Lead as part of our Geointelligence Team at our Richmond, British Columbia office.
Our mission is to turn data into insight. From detecting changes in fragile ecosystems to monitoring northern ice floes and shipping routes, our near-real time data of Earth observation and the environment makes our Geointelligence team a leader in geospatial imagery, ground stations, enterprise geospatial systems and defence programs.
As a member of the Quality team you will work with our programs such as Chorus Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellite, Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC), Aeronautical Navigation products, Maritime Insights products, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) services. You will work as part of a technical team to develop new capabilities, enhance existing capabilities and deliver solutions to our customers.
As part of your growth and development we will work with you to establish your development actions alongside regular progress reviews. You are likely to move through various projects to gain the experience and knowledge to progress your career with us.
The Sr. QA Lead reports to the Director, Quality Assurance. The Sr. QA Lead is responsible for providing direct support and guidance to business pursuits and program projects, maintaining and assuring conformance to MDA’s ISO 9001:2015 certified Company Quality System (CQS), and otherwise enabling company adherence to the Quality Policy.
Job Responsibilities:
Job responsibilities fall under three key functions:
1. Programmatic Support and Independent Reporting
- Supports contract negotiations including identifying relevant quality-related clauses as applicable.
- Estimates, prioritizes, plans and coordinates QA activities including tailoring standard processes as appropriate relative to pursuit or project needs. Defines corresponding work package(s) including specification of schedule and budget.
- Authors detailed Quality Assurance Plans and ensures appropriate stakeholder involvement.
- Provides QA leadership within pursuit/project and process execution contexts by engaging local leadership.
- Acts as a quality liaison with corresponding external parties representing the customer or subcontractors/suppliers.
- Reviews pursuit/project plans for conformance to the CQS; reviews other records and documentation, including that being provided to customers, and provides timely and meaningful feedback.
- Plans, conducts and reports on project audits (including supplier/subcontractor audits) in accordance with the Universal Audit Schedule (UAS), sampling across processes and relative to established standards, contracts, plans and processes; completes audit plan and report content.
- Leads and/or supports preparation for, conduct and followup of customer audits.
- Manages subcontractor/supplier qualification by confirming relevant risks are identified and appropriately controlled and performance is monitored in accordance with plans and processes.
- Identifies and initiates records of nonconformance when required, follows up on containment actions as necessary, facilitates determination of root cause(s), and establishes plans for resolution, and confirms completion of corrective actions. Updates and otherwise maintains supporting records.
- Provides oversight of projects to ensure effective implementation of CQS requirements and participates in pursuit/project team meetings including risk reviews and significant milestone meetings.
- Leads and/or facilitates the identification of lessons learned and tracks their realization as appropriate.
- Represents QA interests in multi-stakeholder meetings including presenting information to customers and other interested parties and responding to related inquiries.
- Elevates quality concerns among leadership and other stakeholders along the prescribed escalation path.
- Performs status reporting as necessary including authoring content and presenting on specific topics.
2. Technical Solution Alignment
- Assures solution requirements are appropriately addressed in terms of elements of design, implementation deliverables and subsequent assembly, integration and test / verification and validation activities.
- Assures the configuration of solution deliverables is sufficiently specified and controlled.
- Works with project leadership and customer representation to establish that release criteria are prospectively defined and reflective of quality objectives to be achieved.
- Leads and/or supports the establishment and conduct of source or incoming inspections for materials or services that appropriately address quality requirements.
- Where manufacturing and/or assembly activities are required (on or offsite), establishes with technical leadership the positioning and content/scope of relevant checks and inspections (i.e. readiness/ in-process/ finished component).
- Confirms the work environment is sufficiently established to perform relevant activities (as applicable), including:
- Equipment calibration and tool validation is established through available evidence.
- Relevant environment parameters are established and maintained through monitoring.
- Works with technical leadership to help define the inputs for integration activities and the applicable corresponding verification and validation activities.
- Chairs and/or participates in Change Control Boards (CCBs) and Material Review Boards (MRBs) to confirm effective dispositioning of solution components for subsequent activities.
- Leads and/or supports the conduct of independent test witnessing as required and performance of Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and Test Review Boards (TRBs).
- Reviews and approves technical documentation to confirm:
- Requirements have been sufficiently addressed,
- Identified risks have been adequately regarded,
- Documentation provided is reasonably free of inconsistencies and discrepancies, and
- Determinations made are adequately supported by evidence.
3. Quality System Maintenance and Support
- Plans, conducts and reports on system (i.e. process) audits in accordance with the audit schedule and relative to established standards, plans and processes; completes audit plan and report content.
- Acts in the capacity of Audit Quality Lead as a delegate for the Department Leader.
- Schedules project and process audits in collaboration with QA Team members and manages the Universal Audit Schedule over the defined audit cycle.
- Plans and performs internal process (system) audits sampling across projects and reports accordingly; authors corresponding documentation.
- Reviews and approves internal quality audit plans and reports (when not the author).
- Follows up on audit nonconformances working with stakeholders to achieve resolution.
- Administrates the update of audit-related processes and process artifacts.
- Provides guidance and support in the hosting of Customer-led audits.
- Coordinates and leads the conduct of registrar-led quality audits for certification purposes.
- Serves as a subject matter expert on the quality management system standard and liaises with registrar point of contact as required.
- Maintains the integrity of the Approved Suppliers List.
- Contributes to the continual improvement of MDA’s CQS including engaging in process improvement activities and performing (or supporting) process-related training.
- Mentors colleagues in the conduct of QA activities and updates personnel development plans accordingly.
- Provides functional supervision over assigned quality system topic areas to define and maintain consistency in practice and the data-driven determination of effectiveness.
- Stays informed on QA best practices and applies new knowledge as appropriate within the current work context.
Job Requirements:
- Post-secondary degree in Science or Engineering (or equivalent) and at least 3 years of relevant experience within a “software-intensive systems” environment (level commensurate with experience).
- Four or more years of experience leading audits (level commensurate with experience); certification as an internal auditor to ISO 9001:2015 (or another internationally recognized quality management system standard) considered an asset.
- Experience working with ISO 9001:2015 (or similar, e.g. AS9100D) requirements within the context of a company quality management system.
- Knowledge of the following standards considered an asset: ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management, and ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management.
- Requires excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills.
- Requires excellent time management and prioritization capabilities.
- Requires the ability to manage office communication and collaboration computer applications.
- Requires the ability to work well within a team and liaise with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Requires an ability to travel internationally.
- Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the NATO/secret status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).
We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.
We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.
Comments/Special Considerations:
MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.
MDA is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.
