Head of Quality

BAE Systems.; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense company in the UK is seeking a Head of Quality to oversee quality assurance efforts and manage a team of quality professionals. The candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with performance measures and leading assurance activities. This role requires experience in quality management, team leadership, and a background in manufacturing. Competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experienced quality professional or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through significant organisational or operational change.
• Leadership ability and prior people‑management experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as the delegated quality authority for the business.
• Manage and direct a team of quality professionals.
• Lead assurance activities and report to Senior Leadership.
• Deliver compliance against all performance measures.

Skills

Quality management

Team leadership

Change management

ISO accreditation

Manufacturing experience

Regulatory standards

Technical discipline knowledge

Education

NC, HNC or degree in a technical discipline

Job description

Job Title

Head of Quality

Location

Sheffield or Barrow – hybrid and flexible working arrangements available. Please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary

Circa £70,000, depending on skills and experience.

What you will be doing

• Act as the delegated quality authority for the business and quality subject‑matter expert, providing assurance to Senior Management.
• Manage and direct a team of quality professionals, supporting their performance and development.
• Lead assurance activities and report to the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that the Business Management System (BMS) remains compliant with all internal and external requirements, and lead certification activity.
• Deliver compliance against all performance measures (safety, quality, cost, delivery and people).
• Create departmental plans to address resource and operational challenges, incorporating them into the Integrated Business Plan (IBP) where applicable.
• Provide management support to the department and serve as a route for escalation.
• Ensure all product‑safety and related verification/validation requirements in products and services are effective.
• Represent the Quality function at business reviews and liaise with customers when required.
• Develop, articulate and deliver quality and business strategic objectives through the team.

Your skills and experiences

• Experienced quality professional or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through significant organisational or operational change.
• Knowledge of gaining and maintaining accreditation, including ISO.
• Leadership ability and prior people‑management experience.
• Good understanding of product and programme assurance elements.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Extensive knowledge, application and training of quality certification and regulatory standards, and ability to educate team members.
• NC, HNC or degree qualified in an appropriate technical discipline is desirable.

Benefits

Alongside a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems offers employee share plans and a wide range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts. You may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Quality team

You will join Weapon Systems UK, which designs, builds and supports artillery systems and naval guns used worldwide. To meet increasing demand, BAE Systems is restarting production of major structures for the M777 Howitzer and has opened a brand‑new manufacturing facility in Sheffield. You will act as the delegated quality authority for this facility and the Barrow site, building and mobilising quality processes and integrating the quality function across both sites as the role expands with our growing manufacturing capability.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you can make a real difference, part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and empowers you to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and strive to make our recruitment processes as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about reasonable adjustments.

Many BAE Systems roles are subject to security and export control restrictions, which may limit eligibility based on nationality, birth place, or previous nationalities. All applicants must achieve at least Baseline Personnel Security Standard, and higher levels of National Security Vetting may apply depending on residency requirements.

Closing Date: 3rd December 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.