Principal Quality Assurance Engineer (Supply Chain - NPI)

MBDA UK Ltd; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in Stevenage is seeking a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer focused on New Product Introduction within the supply chain. This role involves developing supplier Quality strategies and conducting Quality audits while ensuring compliance. The position offers a competitive salary around £50,000 and a dynamic hybrid working model with various perks including a company bonus, enhanced parental leave, and healthcare options.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension with up to 14% contribution

Opportunity for paid overtime

Up to 15 days flexi leave

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Healthcare Cash Plan benefits

Qualifications

• Experience ideally in defence, automotive, or aerospace sectors.
• Proficient in integrated management systems and business improvement.
• Capable of influencing DFMEA & PFMEA processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement supplier Quality strategy.
• Conduct proactive supplier Quality surveillance throughout the lifecycle.
• Identify and reduce project risks associated with process application.

Skills

Supply chain or manufacturing experience

Quality professional in engineering

NPI & Product development experience

DFMEA / PFMEA knowledge

Quality Audits & surveillance experience

Supplier Quality tools knowledge

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent planning and organizing skills

Understanding of regulatory requirements

Education

HND or HNC qualification

Tools

Quality management systems

Quality Tools & Techniques (8D, Six Sigma)

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer to join our growing team, focusing on New Product Introduction (NPI) across our UK & international Supply Chain.

Salary

Circa £50,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working

2-3 days 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

As a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer, you'll have the ability to further develop as a quality professional, utilising experience by deploying the latest quality tools and techniques internationally, ensuring future continuity in supply chain.

You will be a key interface for the applicable suppliers supporting the programme from a Quality perspective. The role will involve developing and implementing the supplier Quality strategy, establishing and maintaining the supplier Quality requirements and assuring the evolution of the supplier's product and processes. This will also include international travel, conducting proactive supplier Quality surveillance throughout the full lifecycle of the programme.

In addition, supporting the identification and reduction of project risk or problem areas/issues associated with process application, process effectiveness and compliance across the applicable supply chain.

• You’ll become a member of a well-established and 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 further progression with the function and business.

What we’re looking for from you

• Engineer including supply chain or manufacturing experience (Ideally defence, automotive or aerospace experience)
• Quality professional, experienced in process-based integrated management systems & business improvement within engineering / manufacturing / supply chain environments
• Strong NPI & Product development experience
• APQP / PPAP or similar experience utilising product development frameworks
• Ability to review and influence DFMEA / PFMEA
• Understanding of product validation lifecycles
• Experienced in conducting Quality Audits & surveillance
• Familiarity with change control processes
• Experienced in Supplier Quality tools & processes
• Experience of quality management systems, techniques and processes
• Demonstrates Supplier Quality Management skills
• Demonstrates strong cross functional and soft skills
• Comfortable with travel to supplier sites
• Special Process knowledge
• Experience in First Article Inspection Requirements - AS9102
• Knowledge of key external standards - EN/AS9100
• Experienced in Quality Tools & Techniques (8D, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Kaizen).
• Strong experience in non-conformance management & leadership of Quality investigations
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• 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
• Ideally qualified as a minimum to HND or HNC

Our company

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

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.

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