Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Leonardo SpA; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in Aerospace and Defence is seeking a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer in Edinburgh to drive quality across product development. The role involves integrating APQP methodologies, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards, and embedding quality in project planning. Join a team committed to innovation and quality excellence.

Benefits

Generous leave with up to 12 flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free access to mental health support

Free online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning

Flexible working hours

Financial rewards through referral programme

Annual spending on flexible benefits up to £500

Qualifications

• Experience in quality engineering, preferably in aerospace or defence industries.
• Strong background in APQP and quality planning across product development cycles.
• Proficiency in quality tools including root cause analysis, risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Guide the integration of APQP methodologies across all project phases.
• Ensure quality deliverables at early project stages.
• Conduct internal and external audits to assess quality system effectiveness.

Skills

Quality Engineering

APQP

Risk Assessment

Root Cause Analysis

Collaboration

Education

Engineering Degree

Tools

Quality Tools

Job description

Job Description:

As a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer you will help drive quality throughout the product development lifecycle, lead the adoption of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), and collaborate across disciplines to ensure solutions meet the highest industry standards.

Your Impact

• Guide the integration of APQP methodologies across all project phases to support a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Ensure quality deliverables at early project stages to support effective decision-making and risk management.
• Act as a trusted partner on quality-related matters, ensuring open communication and alignment with expectations.
• compliance with applicable aerospace and defence quality standards and regulations (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Work closely with engineering, design, and program teams to embed quality considerations into project planning and execution.
• Conduct internal and external audits to assess quality system effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Align with international colleagues to ensure consistency in global quality standards and share best practices.
• Contribute to the implementation of effective Software Quality Assurance (SQA) processes, particularly in Agile environments.

What you'll bring:

• Experience in quality engineering, preferably in aerospace or defence industries.
• Strong background in APQP and quality planning across product development cycles.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and standards such as AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Proficiency in quality tools including root cause analysis, risk assessment, and NPI processes.
• A collaborative mindset and ability to lead or mentor others in quality practices.
• Understanding of Software Quality Assurance processes and Agile development methodologies.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government's Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we're here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team-they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

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Primary Location:
GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type:
Permanent

Hybrid Working:
Hybrid