Quality Engineer

Kinexus; Perth; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinexus is seeking a Quality Engineer within the Governance & Assurance function in Australia for independent assurance across engineering, manufacturing and sustainment. The role focuses on audits, investigations and actioning improvements to ensure safety, reliability and compliance with nuclear safety obligations.

You will drive risk-based quality assurance, support governance processes, and communicate findings to senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or diploma in engineering or related technical field.
• Diploma in Quality Auditing required or equivalent.
• Lead Auditor qualifications in ISO 9001 strongly preferred.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or similar improvement certification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct internal and supplier audits to verify compliance with quality, contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Perform surveillance, inspections and assurance activities across engineering, manufacturing and sustainment functions.
• Lead or support technical investigations into quality-related issues and non-conformances.
• Identify, assess and communicate quality risks that may impact safety, compliance or program delivery.
• Drive effective corrective and preventive action processes and verify implementation.
• Support continual improvement of the Integrated Management System and governance processes.
• Support regulatory readiness and the maintenance of evidence demonstrating compliance with nuclear safety and assurance obligations.
• Contribute to assurance activities aligned with applicable standards including ISO 19443 and NSMS expectations.
• Provide advice on quality management systems and configuration management best practice.
• Produce clear, evidence-based reports and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Promote a strong quality culture across multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Quality auditing

Audit leadership

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Root cause analysis

Education

Degree in Engineering

Diploma in Quality Auditing

Lead Auditor ISO 9001

Six Sigma Green Belt

Job description

About the Opportunity

Join a leading Australian defence organisation supporting complex, safety-critical engineering programs. As a Quality Engineer within the Governance & Assurance function, you will provide independent assurance across engineering, manufacturing and sustainment activities, ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory and quality management requirements. You will play a key role in maintaining and improving quality systems, conducting audits, investigations and assurance activities to identify risks, drive corrective actions and support the delivery of safe, reliable and compliant defence capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct internal and supplier audits to verify compliance with quality, contractual and regulatory requirements.


• Perform surveillance, inspections and assurance activities across engineering, manufacturing and sustainment functions.


• Lead or support technical investigations into quality-related issues and non-conformances.


• Identify, assess and communicate quality risks that may impact safety, compliance or program delivery.


• Drive effective corrective and preventive action processes and verify implementation.


• Support continual improvement of the Integrated Management System and associated governance processes.


• Support regulatory readiness, governance oversight, and the maintenance of objective quality evidence demonstrating compliance with nuclear safety, quality, and assurance obligations.


• Contribute to assurance activities aligned with the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations (ANNPSR 2025), associated Nuclear Safety Management System (NSMS) expectations, and applicable international standards such as ISO 19443 (Quality management systems for the nuclear supply chain)


• Provide advice on quality management systems, configuration management and assurance best practice.


• Produce clear, evidence-based reports and communicate findings to technical and senior stakeholders.


• Promote a strong quality culture across multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Engineering or a related technical discipline.


• Diploma in Quality Auditing.


• Lead Auditor qualifications in ISO 9001 (ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 highly regarded).


• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification.

Essential Experience

• Experience within complex engineering, manufacturing, heavy industry or Defence environments.


• Demonstrated experience conducting quality audits, assurance activities or technical investigations.


• Strong understanding of quality management systems, configuration management and controlled engineering processes.


• Experience identifying, assessing and managing technical or quality-related risks.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, objective reports.


• Ability to influence stakeholders through evidence-based recommendations.


• Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives.


• Previous experience within maritime, naval, defence, aerospace or other safety-critical industries will be highly regarded.

Please only apply if you hold Australian Citizenship and can obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance.