Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Matchtech; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation seeks a Quality Assurance Engineer to enhance their Quality Division. The role involves planning and conducting supplier quality audits, ensuring compliance with standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Ideal candidates should be trained to AS9100 standards with a solid background in Quality within Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Electronic Engineering. This position offers a hybrid work model based in Bolton or Stevenage, along with professional growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in Defence, Automotive, or Aerospace industry is highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels.
• Familiarity with GD&T is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct supplier quality audits to drive process control.
• Complete scheduled Quality Assurance audits at suppliers.
• Identify and document non-conformities in the manufacturing process.

Skills

Trained auditor to AS9100 standards

Experience in conducting Quality Audits

Strong analytical skills

Quality experience in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Electronic Engineering

Practitioner of current QA problem-solving methods

Continuous Improvement awareness

Tools

SAP QM system

Metrology equipment

Excel

Job description

Location : Bolton OR Stevenage (2 days per week onsite + supplier travel)

Duration : 6 month initial contract

Inside IR35

Role details :

Our client, a prominent defence organisation, is strengthening its Quality Division and has opportunities for Quality Assurance Engineers to join their Supply Chain team on a contract basis.

This role will be based in either Stevenage or Bolton, with the flexibility of hybrid working and travel to UK supplier sites.

Responsibilities:

• The primary responsibility will be to plan and conduct supplier quality audits / surveillance activities to drive future process control. In addition, where applicable carry out inspection / verification activities to support the delivery of conforming production hardware. While ensuring adherence to our customer and supplier requirements.
• Complete scheduled Quality Assurance audits at suppliers using standardised tools.
• Conduct thorough verification and inspection of products to ensure they meet the required quality standards.
• Identify and document any non-conformities in the manufacturing process and deviations from the product specifications.
• Maintain accurate and organised records of all quality control activities.
• Communicate findings to relevant departments and work cross-functionally to implement root cause corrective actions at suppliers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the quality of products.
• Participate in the Project Quality network to report and share the quality assurance status linked to applicable suppliers.
• Provide non-conformance, root cause, and corrective action data analysis and summary reports to senior stakeholders.

What We're Looking for from You :

• Trained auditor to AS9100 standards is essential.
• Experience in conducting Quality Audits and surveillance.
• Quality experience in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Electronic Engineering.
• Proven track record in Quality, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing.
• Experience in the Defence, Automotive, or Aerospace industry is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with GD&T and ability to use a variety of metrology equipment (where applicable).
• Practitioner of current QA problem-solving and improvement methods (8D, RCA, DMAIC, etc.).
• Strong analytical skills, ability to run reports in Excel, use SAP QM system, and document management tools.
• Continuous improvement awareness and ability to use own initiative to deliver improvements.
• Experience with NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is desirable.
• Good planning and organising skills to ensure multiple tasks are prioritised and monitored to deliver set objectives.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• Recognise and understand regulatory and certification requirements, and respond to them.
• This role also includes opportunities for significant professional growth within the supply chain quality team.

Interested? Apply today via the link provided