Lead APQP Supplier Quality Engineer

GE Vernova; Kilsby; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Performance bonus

Pension with 10% employer contribution

Employer-funded private health保险

Job summary

GE Vernova seeks a Lead APQP Supplier Quality Engineer to own component and material quality across our supply chain, bridging internal engineering requirements with supplier capabilities to ensure safety, reliability and performance.

This role requires travel across the UK and Europe for supplier audits and process improvements; a UK passport for Security Clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in APQP and supplier quality within defence, aerospace or regulated sectors (MoD interfaces preferred).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive process improvements across the supply chain.
• Strong analytical mindset with hands-on problem solving and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full 5-phase APQP lifecycle with suppliers, including planning, design & development, validation, and corrective actions.
• Conduct supplier audits and ensure compliance with international quality standards and alignment with internal requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and drive forward-looking improvement plans to prevent production impact.
• Drive robust RCA and systemic corrective actions to protect long-term process integrity.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Sourcing, and Manufacturing to ensure early-stage manufacturing readiness.
• Support NPI by verifying supplier readiness and component quality maturity.

Skills

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Engineering drawings interpretation

Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

Job Description Summary Our Quality Engineering team serves as the critical link between design, manufacturing, and customer delivery. We go beyond traditional inspection, embedding quality into every stage of the product lifecycle to build enduring confidence with customers and stakeholders. Through a proactive, prevention-focused mindset and data-driven decision-making, we strengthen capability, reduce risk, and deliver measurable operational and business improvements while maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance.

• Due to National Security you must hold a UK passport for Security Clearance (SC) as UK EYES ONLY rules apply Job Description

As a Lead APQP Supplier Quality Engineer, you will be the technical authority for component and material quality across our supply chain. You will act as a Quality Methodology Subject Matter Expert (SME), bridging the gap between our internal engineering requirements and our suppliers' manufacturing capabilities. By driving strategic quality development and providing hands‑on process oversight, you will ensure our supply base consistently meets our standards for safety, reliability, and performance. This role is a highly complex, project driven environment which requires travel across the UK and Europe to lead onsite audits, process improvements, and supplier development initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• End-to-End APQP Leadership: Lead the full 5 phases APQP lifecycle with suppliers, spanning: Program Planning, Product/Process Design & Development, Validation, and Feedback/Assessment & Corrective Action.
• Supplier Audits & Compliance: Conduct comprehensive supplier assessments and audits to ensure strict compliance with international quality standards and drive proactive process alignment.
• Performance Management: Monitor key supplier performance metrics and lead the development and implementation of forward‑looking improvement plans to resolve issues before they impact production.
• Strategic RCA: Drive robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and systemic corrective actions, prioritizing long‑term process integrity and recurrence prevention over short‑term containment.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with Engineering, Sourcing, and Manufacturing to define and improve supplier quality processes, ensuring early‑stage manufacturing readiness.
• NPI Excellence: Support New Product Introductions (NPI) by ensuring total supplier readiness, verification of component quality maturity, and process stability.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• Significant, proven experience in APQP and Supplier Quality within defence, aerospace, or similarly regulated industrial sectors (including familiarity with MoD interfaces).

Technical Mastery

• Advanced knowledge of core quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC), with the ability to critically evaluate and challenge process maturity and risk.

Continuous Improvement

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Technical Literacy

• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and specifications.

Problem-Solving

• Exceptional analytical skills with a track record of implementing 8D or similar systemic improvement methodologies.

Influencing Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, both internally and at supplier sites.

Travel

• Able to travel for domestic and international travel (primarily within Europe) to supplier meetings up to 50% of your time.

Security and Driving

• You must hold a UK passport for Security Clearance (SC) to be considered for this role and a full UK driving licence.

Benefits

• competitive compensation
• a performance‑related bonus
• flexible pension with a 10 % employers' contribution
• employer‑funded private health insurance
• income protection
• life assurance
• 26 days of holiday, plus bank holidays
• Our 'Flex Choice' programme
• buying and selling holiday
• a cycle‑to‑work scheme
• financial planning
• critical illness insurance
• personal accident cover
• dental cover
• option to add family to a private health scheme
• travel insurance