About the job
Role: Head of Quality and Compliance
Location: Hamburg, Germany
About BUOYANCY AEROSPACE
Enabling the free world’s leading aerospace, space, and defense institutions. BUOYANCY AEROSPACE was founded in 2022 to meet the rising demand for solutions in aerospace, space, and defense—markets underserved by a dysfunctional supply chain. We attract the most capable talent with integrity and build and leverage generative AI for digital and physical solutions. We are proud to contribute significantly to the most prestigious and complex aerospace, space, and defense platforms—some under confidential mandates.
We are not a company of promises. With active production facilities in the UK and Germany and a growing workforce of currently >150 employees, we are scaling rapidly, but already delivering to our customers.
Our culture is highly purpose-driven, constantly delivering innovation, exceptional standards, execution. This is a high-performance environment. If you seek meaningful work at the intersection of technology and defense, this is the place for you. Those looking for the comfort of a standard role are discouraged from applying.
The Role: Head of Quality and Compliance
We are seeking a Head of Quality and Compliance to lead our compliance, quality management, and HSE functions at our Hamburg composites facility. This role is pivotal in ensuring the organisation meets all regulatory, customer, and industry standards (e.g., AS/EN9100, NADCAP, ITAR), while driving continuous improvement and maintaining zero-defect standards across operations.
The successful candidate will lead the Compliance & Quality Circle, ensuring alignment across quality assurance, inspection, EHS, and improvement functions. As the primary contact for customers, certification bodies, and regulators on quality and compliance matters, you will uphold BUOYANCY AEROSPACE’s reputation for excellence and operational integrity.
Key Responsibilities
* Define, implement, and maintain compliance policies aligned with international, industry, customer, and company standards.
* Monitor regulatory and certification changes, ensuring proactive alignment with evolving aerospace, defense, and environmental standards.
* Provide governance on risk management, product conformity, traceability, and regulatory documentation.
* Ensure compliance with ITAR regulations.
* Escalate critical compliance or certification risks to executive leadership with actionable recommendations.
Quality Management
* Lead the maintenance, improvement, and certification of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with AS/EN9100, NADCAP, and customer requirements.
* Manage the full audit lifecycle (internal, external, and customer audits), including planning, execution, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
* Record, investigate, and track non-conformities, complaints, and root cause corrective actions.
* Monitor product and process quality performance using KPIs and report regularly to senior leadership.
* Collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to ensure composite component quality meets aerospace standards.
HSE (Health, Safety & Environment)
* Implement and maintain HSE management systems, including risk assessments and site audits.
* Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and operational regulations.
* Coordinate incident investigations and drive risk mitigation strategies across quality and HSE domains.
* Lead structured continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) to enhance efficiency and reduce defects.
* Develop, monitor, and report compliance and quality KPIs; use data-driven analysis to identify systemic issues and drive improvements.
* Drive digitalisation of quality and compliance processes, ensuring integration with ERP and inspection systems.
Leadership & Training
* Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance, Inspection, and EHS teams.
* Deliver regular training on compliance, quality standards, safety, and operational best practices.
* Champion a culture of quality, safety, and compliance across all levels of the organisation.
External Representation
* Act as the primary interface for certification bodies, customers, and regulators on compliance and quality issues.
* Represent BUOYANCY AEROSPACE during external audits, customer visits, and industry forums.
Required Skills and Qualifications
* Proven leadership experience in Quality Management and Compliance, ideally within aerospace or advanced composites manufacturing.
* In-depth knowledge of AS/EN9100, NADCA and ITAR requirements.
* Strong background in QMS development, audits, CAPA, and certification maintenance.
* Experience managing health, safety, and environmental compliance.
* Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Sage) and digital quality tools.
* Hands-on expertise with composites production and inspection processes.
* Fluent English; German language skills are a strong advantage.
* Ability to work on-site in Hamburg and travel to other facilities when required.
* A completed technical degree in manufacturing engineering, quality management, mechanical engineering, or a comparable qualification.
* Solid knowledge of quality management systems and aviation regulations; additional certification such as DGQ Quality Manager or equivalent is an advantage.
* Six Sigma or Lean certification.
* Training and experience as a Lead Auditor.
* Familiarity with cybersecurity compliance (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001) and aerospace customer requirements.
What We Offer
* Strategic Impact: Shape critical operational processes and establish a legacy of excellence in a rapidly scaling organisation.
* Prestige and Innovation: Work on high-stakes projects that define the future of aerospace, space, and defense.
* Meritocratic Culture: Join an organisation where excellence, integrity, and results are the foundation of everything we do. We are proud of our unique team ethos, enabling and supporting each other and going the extra mile together.
At BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, we are committed to a purely merit-based environment where performance, capability, and integrity are all that matter. We do not hire based on race, skin colour, gender, religion, or any other personal characteristic protected by the law; we believe in rewarding talent, dedication, integrity, and results.
To be considered for this role, please submit a complete application (motivational letter, CV, and all references) to join@buoyancy.space
Seniority level
* Director
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Engineering and Quality Assurance
* Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing and Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
#J-18808-Ljbffr