Job Category : Product & Quality Assurance Posted : Full-Time A wholly-owned subsidiary of MDA Space, building on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defence delivery, 49North operates as a sovereign Canadian provider of mission-critical C4ISR systems, bringing disciplined prime-contractor execution to defence and security programs. This legacy reflects a record of delivery where engineering rigour, operational reliability, and national trust are non-negotiable. The QA-PA Lead/Member of Technical Staff reports to the Director, Mission Assurance of 49North.

The role is responsible for providing direct support and guidance to business pursuits and program projects, maintaining and assuring conformity to 49North’s ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System (QMS), and otherwise enabling company adherence to the Quality Policy. Technical solution alignment Quality system maintenance and support Supports contract negotiations including identifying relevant quality-related clauses as applicable Estimates, prioritizes, plans and coordinates Quality/Product Assurance (QAPA) activities including tailoring standard processes as appropriate relative to pursuit or project needs. Authors detailed Quality Assurance Plans and ensures appropriate stakeholder involvement Provides QAPA 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 QMS; 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 audit Manages subcontractor/supplier qualification by confirming relevant risks are identified and appropriately controlled and performance is monitored in accordance with plans and processes Provides oversight of projects to ensure effective implementation of QMS requirements and participates in pursuit/project team meetings including risk reviews and significant milestone meetings Represents QAPA 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.

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. Acts in the capacity of Manufacturing Quality Lead as a delegate of the Department Leader Establishes the qualification of 49North facilities and contract manufacturers and their readiness to perform manufacturing for products where 49North holds design authority Attends/hosts Manufacturing/Production Readiness Reviews to establish design transfer and corresponding production manufacturing capabilities as ready Performs First Article Inspection (FAI) from bubbling of drawings to corresponding individual verifications being recorded and subsequent FAI Report finalization Assures the appropriate inspection of parts and subassemblies relative to specifications confirming their suitability for use in production line assembly, integration and test (Production AIT or ‘light’ manufacturing) activities Reviews manufacturing-related procedures and provides feedback from a quality management perspective Affirms quality control activities (e.g. readiness, in-process and finished product inspections and checks) are completed according to defined practices and product meets corresponding specifications and quality objectives Affirms equipment, tooling and workplace environments meet defined specifications and are maintained according to established process including e.g. calibration and electrostatic discharge management Affirms the competency of personnel as sufficiently established to perform manufacturing and/or other Quality Control activities Affirms matters of safety are sufficiently regarded within the manufacturing environment Performs internal audits of program governing manufacturing activities and provides guidance and support to related 49North staff when implementing improvements or hosting external audits Relevant environment parameters are established and maintained through monitoring, e.g. electrostatic discharge (ESD) controls, foreign object damage (FOD) controls 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: Identified risks have been adequately regarded, Quality System Maintenance and Support completes audit plan and report content Contributes to the continual improvement of 49North’s QMS including engaging in process improvement activities and performing (or supporting) process-related training Provides functional supervision over assigned quality system topic areas to define and maintain consistency in practice and the data-driven determination of effectiveness certification to ISO 9001:2015 (or another internationally recognized quality management system standard) as an internal auditor considered an asset. AS9100-D) 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 time management and prioritization capabilities Requires the ability to manage office communication and collaboration computer applications Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the secret level , and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR. 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. 49North is an equal prospect employer prizing diversity and inclusion.

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. 49North is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process.

📌 QA / PA Lead (Manufacturing Quality) (Richmond)
🏢 Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates
📍 Richmond