Principal Quality Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Dalton-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to drive quality improvement initiatives. Located in Barrow-In-Furness, this role offers hybrid work arrangements and a competitive salary starting from £40,748. The ideal candidate will lead quality projects, utilize Six Sigma tools, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure superior product quality. Opportunities for training and career advancement are also provided.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Training in quality engineering techniques

Qualifications

• Experience in leading quality improvement projects.
• Ability to work directly with manufacture and build teams.
• Training provided in quality engineering techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead major quality improvement projects.
• Develop innovative solutions for quality issues.
• Manage root-cause analysis sessions.

Skills

Driving improvements to completion

Problem identification and resolution

Knowledge of FMEA and Root Cause Analysis

Experience in a fast-paced environment

Education

Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing

Tools

Six Sigma

8D investigations

Job description

Job Title: Principal Quality Engineer

Location: Barrow-In-Furness. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Salary: From £40,748 – depending on skills and experience

Job Description

Leading and supporting major quality improvement projects, developing new and innovative solutions to long-standing issues, and working directly with manufacture and build teams to deliver quality improvement. Using industry recognised toolsets such as Six Sigma (training provided), leading root-cause analysis sessions with cross-functional teams, and key interface with customer and partners, building customer assurance.

Responsibilities and Requirements

• Experience in driving improvements to completion with validated results
• Proven problem identification and resolution skills in fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of quality tools including FMEA, Root Cause Analysis, Six Sigma, 8D (investigations)
• Degree within Engineering or Manufacturing field or equivalent experience

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Quality Engineering team introduces a fresh approach to Quality, embedding best practices and advanced tools to engineer quality at the core of our programmes. Driving performance through learning and process improvement – critical to product safety and operation. You’ll have access to training in key quality engineering techniques and opportunities for career growth, including leadership development.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationality you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.

All applicants must achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard as a minimum. Many roles also require higher levels of Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residence in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 28th October 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.