Manufacturing Quality Engineer

Strain Measurement Devices; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Strain Measurement Devices is seeking an experienced Engineer for a hands-on role in our Ipswich site. You will support manufacturing operations, perform fault finding, and drive process development to improve yield and cost efficiency.

The role requires a degree in a technical discipline, experience with sensor manufacturing or thin-film processes, and familiarity with quality systems such as ISO 9001/13485. You will collaborate across functions to sustain high product quality.

Qualifications

• Education: Degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in regulated or high-tech manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Experience with thin-film deposition, sensor manufacture, calibration and testing is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day engineering support for manufacturing operations including thin-film deposition, sensor assembly, test and calibration processes.
• Perform rapid fault finding and root-cause analysis to minimise downtime.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve stoppages, yield issues and supplier quality concerns.
• Develop and document new processes, SOPs and technical drawings.
• Lead process validation, control plans and risk assessments to ensure product quality.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Electromechanical fault finding

Analytical thinking

Technical writing

Education

Engineering degree or related technical discipline

Tools

Metrology tools

DOE (Design of Experiments)

SPC & FMEA

Job description

We are a well-established, close-knit company specialising in the design and manufacture of high-quality, customer-specific sensors used across a wide range of industries and applications. We are looking for an experience Engineer who enjoys a hands-one role and wants the opportunity to make a real difference.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing Support & Troubleshooting

Provide day-to-day engineering support for manufacturing operations, including thin-film deposition, sensor assembly, test and calibration processes.

Perform rapid fault finding and root-cause analysis on equipment and process failures to minimise downtime.

Collaborate with production, quality, purchasing and maintenance teams to resolve stoppages, equipment anomalies, supplier failures and yield issues.

Support new product introduction activities including process development, prototype manufacture and transfer of products into volume manufacturing.

Quality Assurance & Investigations

Support quality investigations (e.g., NCRs, customer complaints, scrap reduction initiatives) utilising structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, Fishbone, 5 Why).

Capture, analyse and communicate findings from quality investigations, ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.

Support supplier quality activities including investigation of supplier non-conformances, corrective actions, incoming inspection improvements.

Analyse manufacturing, test and quality data to identify process variation, improve capability and drive yield improvements.

Assist with the development and maintenance of process validation, process control plans and manufacturing risk assessments to ensure consistent product quality.

Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with internal quality management systems and industry standards (e.g. ISO 9001 / ISO 13485).

Monitor key process metrics, identify trends, implement corrective and preventive actions.

Process Development & Documentation

Develop and document new processes to support manufacturing activities.

Create, review and maintain technical documentation, including standard operating procedures, work instructions and technical drawings.

Design and execute DOE (Design of Experiments) to optimise existing processes for yield, throughput and cost reduction.

Identify and lead projects to improve product quality, manufacturing yield, process robustness, cost and delivery performance.

Support equipment qualification, installation, commissioning and ongoing performance monitoring.

Contribute to Lean Manufacturing, 5S and Agile manufacturing initiatives across the production floor, improving safety, ergonomics, responsiveness, collaboration and process flow.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred Experience

Experience in a regulated or high-tech manufacturing environment, preferably involving sensors, electronics, medical devices, semiconductors, thin-film technologies or precision assembly.

Hands-on experience with thin-film deposition equipment and metrology tools.

Experience in sensor manufacture, calibration and testing.

Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 quality systems.

Experience using statistical analysis tools and methods.

Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

Technical Skills

Strong aptitude for troubleshooting and electromechanical fault finding.

Familiarity with quality tools (SPC, FMEA, Root Cause Analysis).

Technical writing skills for creating clear, concise procedures and reports.

Soft Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.

Effective communication skills across cross-functional teams

Ability to prioritise activities and work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.