Principal Quality Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in the UK is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to enhance quality assurance across innovative technologies. You will lead risk management, drive assurance planning, and mentor teams. Ideal candidates should possess solid quality framework knowledge and strong analytical skills. This role offers competitive benefits and a flexible hybrid working model.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme

Mental health support

Free online courses

Financial rewards for referrals

Flexible benefits spending

Hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of quality frameworks like AS9100, ISO9001.
• Proven ability to interpret and analyze complex data.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders on quality objectives.

Responsibilities

• Work with managers to identify and mitigate risks.
• Create and maintain Project Assurance Plans.
• Resolve non-conformance and implement corrective actions.
• Mentor and support the Assurance Team.
• Provide timely quality data and reporting.

Skills

Governance and Compliance Expertise

Technical Proficiency

Analytical Thinking

Collaboration and Influence

Team Leadership

Tools

RCCA

Pattern Fault Lifecycle

Process Mapping

Verification

First Article Inspection

Job description

Overview

Job Description: The Principal Quality Engineer role plays a key part in the continued success of our Infra-Red Sensing and Integrated Communication Systems businesses, which are both based on-site and form the backbone of some of our most innovative technologies.

As a Principal Quality Engineer, you’ll work closely with Programme and Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), as well as the site Quality Team and Programme/Project Managers, to support and guide quality initiatives throughout the programme lifecycle. Your expertise will help ensure high standards, proactive risk management, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Your Impact

• Champion Risk and Opportunity Management: Work in collaboration with Programme and Project Managers to identify, manage, and mitigate risks while capitalising on opportunities, ensuring alignment with Project Assurance Plans (PAPs).
• Drive Project Assurance Planning: Create and maintain PAPs that align assurance activities with programme needs, improvement goals, and compliance requirements under the Operational Framework.
• Lead on Non-Conformance Issues: Take the lead on resolving non-conformance and failure events within IPTs, ensuring thorough root cause analysis and the implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Mentor and Support Teams: Guide and support the Assurance Team, sharing knowledge and coaching team members to help foster a culture of quality and collaboration.
• Promote Continuous Improvement: Contribute to assurance function improvement plans across the Programme, Product, and Project Lifecycles.
• Deliver Insightful Reporting: Provide accurate and timely quality data and reporting to Project Assurance Managers, Quality Managers, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide Leadership Coverage: Step in for the Project Assurance Manager when needed, ensuring continuity and leadership across ongoing projects.

What you’ll bring

• Governance and Compliance Expertise: Solid understanding of quality frameworks such as AS9100, ISO9001, and continuous improvement practices.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of tools such as RCCA, Pattern Fault Lifecycle, Process Mapping, Verification, and First Article Inspection.
• Analytical Thinking: Proven ability to interpret and analyse complex data, solve problems effectively, and communicate findings in a clear, actionable way.
• Collaboration and Influence: Experience working with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, to align on quality objectives.
• Team Leadership: Ability to mentor and support colleagues, promote knowledge-sharing, and foster an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute and grow.

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 - Southampton

Contract Type: Employee-Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid