Product Quality Engineer

SAAB; Park Gate; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence and security company in Park Gate is seeking a Production Quality Engineer. This role involves ensuring compliance with quality standards, managing supplier audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in quality management, preferably in regulated industries such as defence or aerospace. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential, along with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. This position offers opportunities for career growth and development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Product Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Supplier Quality.
• Experience in defence, aerospace, automotive, or medical devices industries.
• Understanding of defence industry regulations like ITAR, EAR.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with quality standards and manage supplier audits.
• Support continuous improvement activities.
• Conduct root cause analysis using various tools.

Skills

Quality management experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Experience with quality tools

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree/HND in Engineering

Tools

SPC

MSA

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

This role is part of our Sensor Systems Business Unit in Fareham.

The Production Quality Engineer role requires experience in quality management within regulated industries, preferably defence or aerospace. The Quality Engineer will ensure compliance with quality standards, manage supplier audits, and support continuous improvement activities. Strong analytical and communication skills, along with knowledge of quality tools and regulations are essential.

Internal Quality Requirements

• Working knowledge of EN9100 / ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Experience supporting internal audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to perform root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, and fault tree analysis.
• Experience managing nonconformances, deviations, concessions, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Ability to review and approve manufacturing processes, work instructions, and inspection plans to ensure quality requirements are met.
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102 or equivalent standards.
• Preferably knowledge of configuration management, drawing control, and change management (ECR/ECO).
• Strong understanding of GD&T, engineering drawings, and specifications.
• Ability to support production, engineering, and test teams to resolve quality issues and reduce defect escape.

Supplier Quality Requirements

• Experience qualifying, auditing, and monitoring suppliers and subcontractors.
• Ability to conduct supplier audits, including process audits and quality system assessments.
• Experience managing supplier corrective actions (SCARs) and driving timely, effective resolution.
• Knowledge of supplier risk management, including critical supplier identification and performance metrics.
• Experience reviewing and approving supplier documentation such as inspection reports, material certifications, FAIRs, and CoCs.
• Ability to work with suppliers to improve process capability, yield, and compliance.
• Familiarity with flow-down of defence and customer quality requirements to suppliers.

Compliance & Regulatory Requirements

• Understanding of defence industry regulations, including ITAR, EAR, and customer-specific requirements.
• Experience ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and customer quality requirements.
• Ability to support customer audits, source inspections, and government quality representatives as required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree/HND in Engineering (Preferable) in a Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Quality, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Product Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Supplier Quality within a regulated industry (preferably defence, aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or similar).
• Experience working in a defence or aerospace environment with controlled products and strict compliance requirements preferred.
• Experience with Quality tools and software (e.g., SPC, MSA, PFMEA, control plans).
• Experience in ERP/MRP systems and electronic quality management systems (eQMS).
• Strong data analysis skills using Excel or similar tools.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, highly regulated environment.
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites as required.

Security Clearance

As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will be required to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level, or have the ability to gain it.

About Saab

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world‑leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training. What you will be part of Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters. Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 26,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

Read more about us here.