Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

MBDA; Meppershall; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension up to 14% total

Overtime paid

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA is seeking a Quality Assurance Engineer to support the Manufacturing team in the UK. The role focuses on ensuring processes are applied consistently, managing SAP non-conformances, and driving continuous improvement across projects.

The position is based in Henlow with travel to Stevenage and Bolton as needed. The candidate will report to the Quality Assurance Manager, with responsibilities spanning quality advice, training delivery, and audit‑driven improvements to achieve cost, time and

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC/HND in a relevant subject.
• Quality professional with experience in process‑based integrated management systems.
• Experience using risk management and problem solving tools (e.g., 8D, 5Why, PFMEA).
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).
• Quality auditing experience.
• Familiar with EN9100/AS9100, AS9102, AS9145, AS9146 standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent visibility and assurance that manufacturing processes are applied across UK Projects.
• Manage SAP non‑conformances and analyse defect data for root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Support Manufacturing UK to meet cost, time and quality targets.
• Develop and deliver quality awareness and training.
• Coordinate audits and report outcomes to management and drive improvement.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Process Improvement

Risk Management

Problem Solving

MS Office

Quality Auditing

EN9100/AS9100 knowledge

Education

HNC/HND in relevant subject

Tools

SAP

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for a Quality Assurance Engineer to join the Quality Assurance Manufacturing team as they provide professional quality support to the Manufacturing team in the UK.

Salary: Circa £50,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days minimum per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you?

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)


• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%


• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime


• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days


• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements


• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments


• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…


• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The opportunity:

You will provide an independent visibility and assurance that manufacturing and related processes are applied across all Projects. Provide support and advice on all aspects of quality within UK Manufacturing. Identify and implement sustainable improvements to existing methods and processes. Identify and reduce project risk or problem areas / issues associated with process application, effectiveness or compliance.

The role also involves management of SAP non-conformances and analysis of defect data and acting on this data to undertake problem‑solving investigations identifying defect root cause and corrective action implementation.

Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, responsibilities include the following activities:

• Support and advice on all aspects of quality within Manufacturing UK; apply quality expertise to critical business issues to support business excellence, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.


• Provide quality assurance assistance to Manufacturing UK in support of manufacturing excellence. Including development and delivery of quality awareness and other training.


• Supporting Manufacturing UK on all programmes to achieve cost, time and quality targets.


• Provide appropriate level of support to improve the effectivity of processes within the Company Business Management System and ensure they are correctly tailored for Manufacturing UK.


• 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 that identifies the outcome 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 enable the dissemination and achievement of Quality Objectives within

Who and what we are looking for from you?

• Ideally qualified to minimum HNC/HND in relevant subject.


• Quality professional, experienced in process‑based integrated management systems & business improvement in an engineering / manufacturing environment.


• Experience using both risk management and practical problem solving tools e.g. 8D, 5Y, PFMEA etc.


• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (PowerPoint, Word and Excel)


• Quality Auditing experience


• Knowledge and experience of International standards such as EN9100/AS9100, AS9102, AS9145, AS9146, etc.


• Excellent interpersonal skills, good planning and organising skills to ensure multiple tasks are prioritised and monitored to deliver set objectives


• Capability to identify sustainable business improvements & ensure effective implementation


• Recognise and understand internal and external customer requirements, and respond to them


• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels of the organisation


• Highly self‑motivated and demonstrate a determination and persistence to deliver results despite obstacles and setbacks


• Recognise and understand regulatory and certification requirements, and respond to them

Position is based in Henlow, but will require regular provision of support to Manufacturing at other MBDA sites, including Stevenage and Bolton

Travel (both UK and international) will be required.

Our company:

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.