NPI Quality Lead

LJ Recruitment; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days' annual leave plus bankH

Matched pension contributions up to 8%

Private healthcare and healthcare cash

Bonus scheme and life assurance

Income protection and paid sickness

Salary sacrifice electric vehicle and

Job summary

LJ Recruitment is seeking an experienced NPI Quality Lead to drive quality across new product introductions in a high-integrity manufacturing environment. You will lead from feasibility through production readiness, ensuring robust processes and traceability at every stage.

The role is hands-on and senior, requiring expertise in APQP, NPI stage gates and sophisticated quality systems. You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing and customers to uphold the highest standards.

Qualifications

• Proven, hands-on experience leading APQP and NPI quality delivery.
• Background in regulated, high-integrity manufacturing (nuclear/defence/aerospace/pressure equipment).
• Strong knowledge of FMEA, MSA, SPC and Cp/Cpk.
• Experience with audits, corrective actions and quality procedure development.
• Knowledge of welding, NDE or coating processes would be advantageous.
• Nuclear or Sellafield supply-chain experience would be a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI quality delivery across new products and major engineering projects.
• Drive APQP processes and NPI stage gates.
• Develop and implement quality procedures, control plans and FMEA.
• Manage non-conformances, investigations and corrective actions.
• Conduct internal, external and supplier audits.
• Ensure material certification, traceability and lifetime records are maintained.
• Work closely with engineering, manufacturing teams and customers to maintain the highest standards.

Skills

APQP

NPI quality

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Quality audits

Regulated manufacturing

Nuclear/Defence/Aerospace experience

Job description

We're looking for an experienced NPI Quality Lead to drive New Product Introduction (NPI) quality within a high-integrity manufacturing environment, supporting demanding projects where quality, compliance and traceability are paramount.

This is a hands-on, senior role where you'll lead quality from initial feasibility through to production readiness, ensuring robust processes and standards are in place at every stage.

The Role

• Lead NPI quality delivery across new products and major engineering projects.
• Drive APQP processes and NPI stage gates.
• Develop and implement quality procedures, control plans and FMEA.
• Manage non-conformances, investigations and corrective actions.
• Conduct internal, external and supplier audits.
• Ensure material certification, traceability and lifetime records are maintained.
• Work closely with engineering, manufacturing teams and customers to maintain the highest standards.

What We're Looking For

• Proven, hands-on experience leading APQP and NPI quality delivery.
• A background in regulated, high-integrity manufacturing, such as nuclear, defence, aerospace or pressure equipment.
• Strong knowledge of FMEA, MSA, SPC and capability studies (Cp/Cpk).
• Experience with audits, corrective actions and quality procedure development.
• Knowledge of welding, NDE or coating processes would be advantageous.
• Nuclear or Sellafield supply-chain experience would be a strong advantage.

What's On Offer?

• Competitive salary
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Matched pension contributions of up to 8%.
• Private healthcare and healthcare cash plan.
• Bonus scheme and life assurance.
• Income protection and paid sickness.
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme and cycle-to-work scheme.

If you have the technical expertise and confidence to take ownership of NPI quality in a safety-critical environment, we'd love to hear from you.