Delegated Head of Quality (NH90 Program)
Key Skills
Job Description
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
Shape Quality Excellence in One of Europe’s Largest and Most Important Defense Aviation Programs
Are you an experienced Quality leader looking to make an impact in the international aerospace and defense industry?
GKN Fokker Aerospace is seeking a Delegated Head of Quality to join NHIndustries (NHI) in Aix-en-Provence, France. This is a fully on-site assignment for up to 5 years, offering a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the NH90 helicopter program and build a strong foundation for future career opportunities within GKN Fokker Aerospace and GKN Aerospace as parent company.
NHIndustries is a French SAS company headquartered in Aix-en-Province, wholly owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and GKN Fokker Aerospace. NHI is responsible for the management, development, certification and entry into service of the NH90 helicopter for NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency) and export customers worldwide.
This is an exceptional opportunity to represent GKN Fokker Aerospace within a highly international environment, working at the heart of a major European aerospace and defense collaboration program.
Job Responsibilities
Your Role
As Delegated Head of Quality, you will lead the NHI Quality function, ensuring compliance, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction across the NH90 program. You will also serve as Chief of the Independent Monitoring Function in accordance with JMAAN 21.
Reporting to the Head of Quality and the Directoire, you will:
-
- Lead and develop the NHI Quality team, manage the quality processes, actions and associated budgets.
- Maintain and improve the NHI Quality Management System and associated certifications.
- Assess/validate contractual Quality requirements and ensure consistency and implementation of Quality plans, standards, and processes across the NH90 industrial network.
- Support NHI process owners in the development and deployment of Quality improvement initiatives
- Harmonize or elaborate as necessary general quality rules, plans, procedures, standards, to be applied by Industry for a global quality.
- Ensure that the conformity process for helicopter and deliverable items is fulfilled.
- Conduct internal audits, report and monitor quality opportunities risks and issues.
- Act as the key Quality interface with customers, partner companies, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Manage customer quality complaints, manage the customer satisfaction process and drive improvement initiatives.
Job Qualifications
What You'll Bring
-
- Master's degree (or equivalent experience/certificates) in Quality, Engineering, Aviation, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in Quality Management or similar systems.
- At least 2 years of leadership experience with the ability to ability to apply high standards of team mindset and trust.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001, EN/AS9100, AQAP 2110/2310, ISO 14001, and EMAR 21/145.
- Lead Auditor qualification and Project Management certification.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management.
- Critical/Process/Risk based thinking, managing complexity, root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working in multicultural and international environments.
- Fluent English required; French, German, Italian, or Dutch is an advantage.
Why This Assignment?
-
- Work on-site in Aix-en-Provence within a unique international aerospace joint venture.
- Long-term assignment of up to 5 years.
- Collaborate with key companies and customers in the Aerospace and Defense industry.
- Gain valuable international leadership experience in one of Europe's largest and most important defense aviation programs.
- An excellent stepping stone for future leadership opportunities within GKN Fokker Aerospace and GKN Aerospace as parent company.
Ready to help shape quality excellence for the NH90 program? We look forward to hearing from you.
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
Core Responsibilities
Lead the NHI Quality function to ensure compliance, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction for the NH90 helicopter program. Manage the Quality Management System, conduct internal audits, and act as the primary quality interface for customers and regulatory stakeholders.
Requirements
Requires a Master's degree in Quality, Engineering, or Aviation with at least 5 years of experience in Quality Management and 2 years of leadership. Must possess Lead Auditor qualification and knowledge of aerospace standards such as AS9100 and EMAR 21/145.
Benefits
- Training Programs
- International Career Opportunities
About GKN Aerospace Careers
Industry: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
Company size: 10,001+ employees
GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier, with a mission to be the most trusted and sustainable partner in the sky. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace designs, manufactures and delivers an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies – for use in commercial and defense aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, passenger planes and advanced air mobility vehicles to the most advanced fighter aircraft. In line with its mission, GKN Aerospace is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, electrical wiring interconnection systems and innovative engine systems help to reduce emissions and weight on today’s aircraft, while it collaborates with global partners to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technologies, including hydrogen-powered propulsion and all-electric flight. GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures and engine systems, with 16,000 employees across its 36 manufacturing locations in 12 countries.