RT-S/TEC-QQS/00492 Software PA (Product Assurance) Support Engineer

Job Introduction

Serco is among the leading Space Industry and Services Companies. We have over 40 years’ experience in supporting the space sector: Since the creation of the European Space Agency (ESA), our employees have been providing everyday their technical, scientific and management skills to support the full range of European cornerstone space missions.  

Serco and Proud - Make a difference every day.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Software PA (Product Assurance) Support Engineer, based in Madrid.

Role Responsibility

• Contribute to the establishing of the programmatic and technical software PA requirements within the framework of the ESA Software policy.
• Evaluate Contractors’ plans, technical specifications and efforts proposed for the execution of the S/W PA programme.
• Monitor and evaluate S/W PA analyses, reports and technical notes.
• Participate to project reviews, meetings, Configuration Control Boards, Non-conformance Review Boards and Software Review Boards.
• Prepare design trade-offs, analyses and reports using metrics to support project decisions.
• Participate to software product evaluations and process assessments.
• Establish and maintain databases to track NCRs, RFWs, action items etc. as required.

Specific Tasks:

• Good product assurance requires good configuration control and the customer has several people involved in both areas. The customer doesn’t have much mission overlap in configuration control while in QA there is a strong input from TEC forming a sort of cross mission QA support with a small group. The small QA group is usually supported by QA functions provided in the missions usually from the configuration control area.
• A PA/QA support also requires certain tools such as SONAR and possibly specific metrics to be run on continuous build system. There should also be PA; Risk Management and Document Management plans at the SCI-O level which is referred to in the individual SIPs of the missions.
• In close liaison with SCI-OQ and in collaboration with the project/mission  managers the PA/QA support includes the following tasks:
  • Establish the PA requirements and PA plan relevant to the project in compliance with the ESA SW Engineering and Product Assurance standards.
  • Guide and monitor the implementation of PA requirements by the project in order to ensure their proper implementation.
  • Monitor and control the performance/effectiveness of the processes used during the development of the software.
  • Maintain PA/QA processes and procedures relevant to the project (including PA documentation).
  • Participate in inspections and reviews (scrums, design, code, documentation …) of the project and directing the necessary preventive or corrective actions.
  • Define and ensure the correct application of problem reporting procedures.
  • Define, implement and perform a metrication program to manage the development and to assess the quality of the development processes and the products.
  • Implement and perform process assessment and improvement.
  • Perform project audits and assessments specifically for quality and configuration practices.
  • Provide support to SCI-OQ in PA/QA aspects, such as:
  • Participate in project reviews when requested;
  • Provide feedback on the projects by monthly report;
  • Develop and maintain PA procedures and practices applicable to SCI-O;
  • Provide feedback and support to SCI-OQ in configuration management aspects;
  • Spot check configuration management  practices on all missions, ensuring the correct application of the configuration management procedures;
  • Provide support to the development and maintenance of configuration control procedures and practices applicable to SCI-O;
  • Feedback on risk management  project status, performed by cross‐reference to the SCI-O  risk policy,
  • Maintain methods and tools relevant to PA/QA activities (e.g. Sonar tool), verifying and reporting their correct use by the project.
  • Support test preparation (data, HW, procedures, etc.), witness testing and problem reports registers.
  • Support TRR and TRBs and the setup and maintenance of the test environment when needed.
  • Support configuration manager in preparing testing and deploying software releases.
  • Support the configuration manager with the development, implementation and maintenance of configuration control procedures.
  • Ensure document management process (e.g. releases) is in conformance with the Document management plan.
  • Support the Risk management process per mission, including participation in regular risk assessment meetings.
  • Support the selection and implementation of the development environment and verify availability to developers and users on time.

Successful Candidate

You will bring a Master’s degree in software engineering or computer science with background on space engineering and minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience.

Additionally, the person requires:

• Relevant professional work experience.
• Familiarity with space product assurance practices together with a good working knowledge of appropriate working tools.
• Practical experience in applying ECSS S/W standards.

Specific Competence Requirements:

• Professional experience on SW engineering and product/quality assurance.
• Experience on ESA software engineering processes and standards is an asset.
• Experience in tools as JIRA, Sonarq, Confluence, Jenkins, Git, Nexus, Maven is an asset.
• Experience in the development, operation and maintenance of ESA ground segment facilities and some scientific background is an asset.

Knowledge and proven experience in the following areas:

• Configuration management of complex systems.
• Software engineering and PA in critical applications.

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Important:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing documents to verify your identity and employment eligibility, as required by law.

Applicants are reminded that they will be requested to produce such documentation during the recruitment process.

Please contact a member of the recruitment team if you require further details of acceptable types of documentation required for verification of identity and work authorization. 

Data Protection:

When creating a profile on the Serco Career Centre you agreed to the Data Protection policy, a copy is available upon request.You may submit a written request revoking your consent to this agreement at any time.

Package Description

What we offer if you join our amazing team:

• Competitive Salary 

• Corporate Benefits Package 

• Exciting relocation package​ (if applicable) 

• Company events

About the Company

Why should you join Serco ?

At Serco not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play.

Meaningful and vital work - You’ll contribute to methodologically intercepting challenges whilst achievements will also be recognised and celebrated.

A world of opportunity - You’ll be wholeheartedly supported with development and career progression

Great people - You’ll become an integral member of a well-defined and supportive team who believe passionately in the value of our work.

What we offer

• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services sector
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Permanent employment with comprehensive Serco Benefits package.
• Pension

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play when managing complex public services.  

We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world, we are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

Apply

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Serco is a Disability Confident Employer committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities.  Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

More at:

https://www.serco.com/eu/sector-expertise/space

https://www.serco.com/eu/careers/careers-in-space

Serco European Agencies