Defence jobs in United States

**Role Summary** Mission Assurance is a proactive discipline promoting first time mission success through early identification of risks, issues and technical opportunities throughout the product lifecycle. The Mission Assurance Co‑ordinator will deliver and mature BDUK’s Mission Assurance capability. The role focuses on completing the Mission Assurance strategy, associated process documentation and action plans, embedding those practices across programmes, and supporting wider engineering governance activity. The post‑holder will work with engineering leads, quality and safety teams, and programme stakeholders to assure technical compliance and mission success through effective independent review, metrics, root cause problem solving and continuous improvement.* Lead the completion and publication of the Mission Assurance strategy, concept of operations and accompanying action plans that reflect recognised industry and Boeing best practice.* Develop options and implementation plans to deliver the strategy across the engineering function and programmes.* Develop, author and maintain Mission Assurance policies, core processes, work instructions, checklists and tools for use by programmes and governance forums.* Provide practical tailoring guidance so programmes can adapt Mission Assurance in proportion to lifecycle phase, product complexity and regulatory interface.* Plan, coordinate and support independent assurance reviews (such as independent mission assurance reviews, flight/test readiness reviews and technical design reviews).* Support, track and close actions arising from assurance reviews; ensure appropriate root cause and corrective/preventive action problem‑solving is applied to prevent recurrence of critical or intolerable failures.* Help define Mission Assurance roles, associated competencies and training needs; support competency assessments and designation of suitably qualified and experienced personnel.* Contribute to development and delivery of Mission Assurance training and best practice guidance across the Engineering function.* Define, collect and analyse Mission Assurance and engineering metrics to provide management visibility, identify trends and drive continuous improvement actions.* Produce clear, non‑technical summaries of assurance outcomes, risks and improvement plans for senior stakeholders.* Work with programme teams, safety, quality, supplier management and customers to ensure technically compliant solutions and a consistent approach to assurance across programmes and regulatory domains.* Facilitate cross‑team coordination to integrate Mission Assurance workstreams with programme delivery.* Provide leadership on Mission Assurance process and practise and represent Mission Assurance on process and tools working groups where required.* Undertake occasional UK and international travel as needed.* Completed and approved Mission Assurance strategy, concept of operations and implementation plan for BDUK.* Published and adopted core Mission Assurance processes, templates and training materials used by programmes.* Timely execution of independent reviews and demonstrable closure of high‑priority issues using robust problem‑solving methods.* Relevant Mission Assurance metrics established, reported and used to drive continuous improvement.* Clear evidence of competent designation of personnel and reduced programme risk exposure.* Practical experience across some or all areas of systems engineering (requirements, interfaces, architecture, V&V, integration of specialities).* Experience in establishing or improving assurance, quality or governance processes within an engineering environment.* Knowledge of root cause methodologies and corrective/preventive action processes.* Experience using metrics to monitor project/status and drive improvement.* Strong written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to translate technical outcomes for senior non‑technical audiences.* Proficiency with common office productivity tools.* Experience working within an aviation Safety Management System or comparable regulated sector.* Ability to work collaboratively with geographically dispersed and multidisciplinary teams.* Degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related discipline.* Experience of programme assurance in defence or aerospace contexts (flight test, production, sustainment).* Familiarity with enterprise engineering governance approaches (for internal applicants).* Experience of MBSE tools and modern systems engineering practices.* Professional engineering registration (or working toward registration).* Collaborative and diplomatic with a practical, action‑oriented mindset.* Resilient and adaptable in a fast‑moving, dynamic environment.* Attention to detail while retaining the ability to focus on the highest‑value risks and issues.* Committed to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.