PA/QA Manager

Software and Firmware Quality Engineer Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain ARQUIMEA, we are a technology company operating globally, offering innovative solutions and products in highly demanding sectors. Our main areas of activity are Aerospace, Defense & Security, Big Science, and Fintech.We are currently looking for a Software and Firmware Quality Engineer. Functions / Tasks The Quality and Product Assurance (QA/PA) Engineer is responsible for ensuring compliance, reliability, and quality throughout the entire lifecycle of software and hardware designs — from specification and coding to verification, validation, and delivery — for aerospace and defense sector products that comply with European and international standards such as ECSS‑Q‑ST‑80C, EN 9100, ISO 9001, and DO‑178C. This role involves close collaboration with software/RTL development, systems engineering, and quality teams to ensure that every product and process aligns with ARQUIMEA’s commitment to excellence, safety, and compliance. Main Functions Quality Planning & Process Assurance Define, implement, and maintain PA/QA plans for software and RTL design activities in accordance with ECSS, DO‑178C, and EN 9100 requirements. Ensure compliance with internal Quality Management Systems and customer‑specific standards (ESA, NASA, NATO, or defense agencies). Monitor adherence to development lifecycle processes, from requirements to validation. Reviews, Audits & Assessments Conduct process and product audits to verify compliance with applicable standards and contractual requirements. Review software/RTL documentation, including design descriptions, verification plans, and test reports. Participate in design reviews, code inspections, and verification readiness reviews. Contribute to the definition of test strategies, verification matrices, and compliance evidence. Ensure full traceability of software requirements, design, implementation, and verification evidence. Support audits and customer reviews, ensuring all deliverables meet contractual and quality requirements. Verification & Validation Support Support software and RTL verification teams in defining and reviewing test strategies, procedures, and acceptance criteria. Verify that test environments, tools, and data sets comply with project and certification standards. Manage tool qualification and software development environment assurance. Review and approve verification documentation, anomaly reports, and corrective actions. Configuration & Change Management Support configuration management, change control, and non‑conformance management. Oversee software and RTL configuration management and ensure version control practices are properly followed. Validate that all changes are tracked, documented, and reviewed according to configuration control processes. Continuous Improvement & Reporting Identify areas for improvement in software and RTL development and quality assurance workflows. Drive nonconformity management, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective/preventive actions. Prepare Software Quality Reports and Software Accomplishment Summaries for project reviews and audits. Education and Required Competencies Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Additional Required Training None beyond the above. Specific Knowledge and Skills Strong understanding of Software Development Lifecycles and Hardware Design Flows (RTL/VHDL/Verilog). Experience: Minimum of 5 years in quality assurance, RTL & software development within aerospace, defense, or other safety‑critical industries. Knowledge of Standards ECSS‑Q‑ST‑80C, ECSS‑Q‑ST‑60C, ECSS‑E‑ST‑40C DO‑178C / DO‑278A, EN 9100, ISO 9001 MIL‑STD‑498 or equivalent defense software standards Technical Skills Proficiency in QA and CM tools (e.g., Jira, Git, Polarion, SVN). Understanding of embedded software and real‑time systems. Knowledge of ASIC/FPGA design verification and test coverage methodologies. Experience with test automation and software validation processes. Languages: Fluency in English (mandatory); Spanish is a plus. Preferred Additional Experience Experience working with aerospace/defense prime contractors and/or agencies. Knowledge of ECSS software and firmware certification and product assurance processes. Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) or equivalent certification in aerospace quality standards. Understanding of Safety‑Critical Systems and Fault Tolerance. Familiarity with cybersecurity standards and software assurance in defense systems. Knowledge of integrated circuit product assurance is a plus. Experience with continuous integration, static, and dynamic analysis tools. The position is based at our offices in Madrid city, located at Calle Serrano Galvache, 56. We are looking for curious, creative, determined, and collaborative people — individuals who are eager to make things happen and unafraid to take on challenges that contribute to improving the society we live in. Think Big, Do the Job & Enjoy Life En ARQUIMEA valoramos la diversidad y la inclusión. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, género, orientación sexual, identidad de género, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad u otros factores protegidos por la ley. Todos los candidatos serán considerados en igualdad de condiciones en base a sus habilidades y experiencia. Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Engineering and Information Technology Industries: Space Research and Technology #J-18808-Ljbffr