Safety and Mission Assurance Manager

Who We Are

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You'll Do

The Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) Manager is a key member of the Program Management Office (PMO), responsible for ensuring supplier quality, mission assurance, and compliance throughout the lifecycle of a complex government aerospace program. Working closely with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Supplier Management, you will establish and oversee supplier mission assurance processes that support successful program execution while balancing cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance. This role provides leadership in supplier qualification, quality oversight, risk management, and continuous process improvement, helping ensure products and services meet both customer and organizational requirements. Success in this position requires strong collaboration, sound technical judgment, and the ability to proactively identify and mitigate supplier risks while supporting mission success.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Program Management, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Supplier Management teams to ensure procurements meet or exceed customer and organizational requirements
• Define and maintain the Supplier Mission Assurance program in accordance with contract requirements
• Define and implement supplier quality policies, processes, and best practices across the organization
• Coordinate and oversee Supplier Mission Assurance activities throughout all phases of the program lifecycle
• Manage Supplier Mission Assurance processes, including supplier quality requirements development, supplier classification, pre-award capability assessments, source selection evaluations, supplier quality audits, and supplier performance assessments
• Support the maintenance of the approved supplier list and periodically evaluate supplier performance to determine continued qualification
• Manage supplier requests for waivers, deviations, and discrepancy reporting, including Material Review Board (MRB) activities
• Evaluate supplier non-conformances, negative performance trends, and failures, determine root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Manage source inspection processes and coordinate customer inspections as required, ensuring End Item Data Packages (EIDPs) and manufacturing documentation are complete prior to shipment
• Ensure awards and teaming agreements are issued to qualified suppliers through early engagement with Procurement, Business Development, Program Management, and Engineering during the business acquisition process
• Utilize supplier performance databases and supplier quality management assessment tools to evaluate supplier capability and performance
• Keep management informed of supplier performance, quality status, and program risks
• Determine the resources required to execute the Supplier Mission Assurance program, manage those resources, and ensure appropriate training and development
• Participate in supplier evaluation, qualification, and selection activities supporting proposal efforts and new procurements
• Act as a liaison across internal and external stakeholders to support key initiatives and program objectives
• Anticipate program risks and issues, developing solutions that align stakeholder expectations and support successful execution
• Communicate technical and program information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Facilitate decision-making that enables projects and cross-functional teams to continue moving forward
• Serve as a Program Management Office subject matter expert while building strong relationships across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and other functional organizations
  
  

Who You Are

You are an experienced quality, mission assurance, or program professional who understands the critical role suppliers play in delivering successful aerospace and government programs. You are comfortable working across Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Procurement to establish robust quality processes, manage supplier performance, and mitigate program risk. You bring a collaborative leadership style, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to balance technical requirements with program execution objectives. Whether supporting proposal efforts, qualifying suppliers, or resolving complex quality issues, you are driven by continuous improvement and a commitment to delivering mission success.

Key Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree with eight years of professional experience, or a Master's degree with six years of professional experience
• Experience implementing and flowing down customer and organizational requirements
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Experience developing and working within an AS9100 Quality Management System (QMS)
• Experience supporting mission-critical suppliers
• Experience applying formal change management practices to maintain program baselines and manage program changes
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Fluency with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and Visio
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
• Ability to travel approximately 25% and work additional hours as required
• Experience with Costpoint preferred
• Experience with Salesforce preferred
• Knowledge of FAR and DFARS preferred
• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility preferred
  
  

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law