New Product Introduction Quality Assurance Engineer

MBDA S.A.S.; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense manufacturer is looking for a New Product Introduction (NPI) Quality Assurance Engineer to join their Product Assurance team in the UK. This role involves ensuring quality processes are correctly applied across all NPI programs, supporting Manufacturing to meet quality targets, and facilitating continuous improvements. The ideal candidate should have a relevant HNC/HND qualification and experience in quality assurance within an engineering or manufacturing setting. The position offers hybrid working, competitive salary, and a variety of benefits, including a bonus and enhanced parental leave.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Enhanced parental leave

Healthcare Cash Plan

Subsidised meals

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experienced in process-based integrated management systems.
• Knowledge of EN/AS9100 standards is advantageous.
• Security clearance as a British Citizen required.

Responsibilities

• Provide support on quality within NPI Manufacturing.
• Develop and deliver quality awareness training.
• Ensure compliance to BMS requirements.

Skills

Process improvement

Risk management

Quality auditing

Interpersonal skills

Planning and organizing

Education

HNC/HND in a relevant subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a New Product Introduction (NPI) Quality Assurance Engineer to join the Product Assurance team as they provide professional quality support to the Manufacturing team in the UK across all NPI Programs. You will provide independent visibility and assurance that manufacturing and related processes are correctly applied across all NPI Programs. You will provide support and advice on all aspects of quality within New Product Introduction and aid the identification and implementation of sustainable process improvements. You will help Manufacturing reduce project risk or problem areas associated with process application, effectiveness or compliance across all NPI programs.

Responsibilities

• Provision of professional support and advice on all aspects of quality within NPI Manufacturing UK; apply quality expertise to critical business issues to support business excellence, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
• Provision of quality assurance assistance to NPI Manufacturing UK in support of manufacturing excellence including development and delivery of quality awareness and other process and quality-related training.
• Supporting Manufacturing UK on all NPI programmes to achieve cost, time and quality targets. Assessing and controlling the product assurance quality processes and the resulting outputs.
• Assuring implementation in Company production programmes and providing the appropriate level of support to improve the effectiveness of processes used by the Company Business Management System, correctly tailored within NPI.
• Confirm through a programme of independent assessments and audits that processes and quality requirements are being successfully implemented, applied, and improved; provide reports to Management identifying the outcomes of audits and issues; monitor and facilitate the progression of any improvements from audit activities and the timely closure of identified issues.
• Maintaining strong links with Quality Assurance colleagues across MBDA (UK and Overseas) to disseminate and achieve Quality Objectives within NPI Manufacturing UK.
• Work with Product Assurance Managers and other functions to define appropriate risk reduction strategies/action plans.
• Provide advice and help in the use of SAP as the non‑conformance management tool and identify SAP improvement with respect to the Quality Module.
• Facilitation and/or support to various levels of Non‑Conformance Review Panels.
• Analysis of non‑conformance defect data and acting on this data to undertake problem‑solving investigations, identifying defect root cause and corrective action implementation.
• Assure compliance to the company BMS requirements within NPI manufacturing.
• Support DFMEAs from a manufacturing perspective, driving producibility.
• Facilitate PFMEAs for NPI products, ensuring they are suitably reviewed and kept topical throughout the NPI process.
• Assuring early adoption and compliance with the Industrial Validation BMS.
• Supporting lessons‑learnt activities and facilitating the outcomes into future programs of work.
• Support creation and update of Manufacturing Proposals by providing appropriate data and lessons‑learnt, ensuring these are captured within the Manufacturing Requirements.
• Support and provide appropriate input to Design and Project Governance reviews.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Quality professional, experienced in process‑based integrated management systems and business improvement in an engineering/manufacturing environment.
• Experience using risk‑management and practical problem‑solving tools such as 8D, 5Y, PFMEA, etc.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (PowerPoint, Word and Excel).
• Quality auditing experience required.
• Knowledge and experience of EN/AS9100.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong planning and organising skills to prioritise and monitor multiple tasks, delivering set objectives.
• Capability to identify sustainable business improvements.
• Security clearance: British Citizen required. Candidates may be required to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) after offer.

Benefits and Compensation

• Salary: Circa £50,000 depending on experience.
• Dynamic (hybrid) working: Minimum 3 days per week on‑site.
• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on performance).
• Pension: Employer and employee contributions up to 14%.
• Opportunity for paid overtime.
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days.
• Flexible working arrangements welcomed.
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave; paternity, neonatal leave and fertility testing/treatments enhancements available.
• Facilities: Sub‑sidised meals, free car parking and more.
• Healthcare Cash Plan: Cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing items.

Work Environment

Working in a high‑technology environment ranging from the manufacture of CCA assemblies through to live build of weapon systems. Your broad range of skills and expertise will be called upon to support quality and process improvement initiatives as we drive to maintain our reputation as a leading manufacturer of guided weapon systems.

Become a member of a well‑established, value‑added team within a world‑leading Defence business, directly supporting the delivery of assured, complex weapons systems to both internal and external customers.

Opportunities to develop personal, professional and behavioural skills to enable future progression within the function and the business.