Quality Assurance Engineer

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Training & development

Career progression

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd is seeking a Quality Assurance Engineer to support the Quality Management System within a busy steel fabrication environment in Nottingham. You will work closely with Production, Welding and Engineering to identify quality issues, implement corrective actions and drive continual improvement.

The role involves inspections, compliance reviews, and producing quality documentation across major infrastructure projects. A hands-on approach and strong attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Quality Engineer/QA Engineer role within manufacturing or fabrication.
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications.
• Strong understanding of QA processes and corrective actions."
• Experience managing non-conformances and associated root causes.
• Ability to produce and maintain quality records and documentation.
• Excellent communication with production and engineering teams.
• Knowledge of welding/fabrication processes is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support operation and continual improvement of Quality Management System.
• Carry out inspections and quality checks during fabrication.
• Review drawings and specs to ensure compliance with customer requirements.
• Monitor welding, fabrication, and assembly quality standards.
• Raise and close non-conformances with root-cause analysis.
• Prepare inspection/test plans and quality dossiers.
• Assist internal/external audits and ensure corrective actions close out.
• Collaborate with production to prevent recurrence of issues.

Skills

Quality Engineer experience

Reading drawings

Quality assurance

Non-conformance management

Inspection & documentation

Problem solving

Welding/fabrication understanding

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

CSWIP/PCN certification

Job description

Quality Assurance Engineer

Location: Nottingham

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum + Benefits

Hours: Monday to Friday, Days

About the Company

Our client is an established and growing engineering business specialising in the design, fabrication and installation of complex steelwork for major infrastructure projects across the UK.

The business operates within demanding sectors including highways and rail, delivering a range of structural steelwork, access structures, gantries, bridges and associated fabricated components.

With a strong reputation for quality and technical capability, the company operates to a range of recognised industry standards and is continuing to develop its manufacturing operations.

The Role

Reporting to the Quality Manager, the Quality Assurance Engineer will be responsible for supporting the effective operation and continual improvement of the company's Quality Management System, ensuring products and processes consistently meet customer, regulatory and industry requirements.

This is a hands‑on role within a busy steel fabrication environment, working closely with Production, Welding, Engineering and Project Management teams to identify quality issues, implement corrective actions and drive continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will play an important role in maintaining quality standards and supporting compliance across a range of major infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operation and continual improvement of the Quality Management System.
• Carry out inspections and quality checks throughout the fabrication process.
• Review fabrication drawings, specifications and customer requirements to ensure compliance.
• Monitor quality standards across welding, fabrication and assembly activities.
• Raise and manage non-conformances, supporting root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Produce and maintain inspection and test plans, quality documentation and inspection records.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure corrective actions are closed out.
• Work closely with production teams to identify quality issues and prevent recurrence.
• Monitor supplier quality and support the investigation of supplier-related non-conformances.
• Ensure manufacturing and inspection records are completed accurately and maintained.
• Support welding quality and compliance activities in line with relevant standards and procedures.
• Assist with the preparation and review of quality dossiers and project documentation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve product quality and reduce rework.
• Liaise with customers, inspectors and third‑party organisations where required.
• Ensure quality processes remain compliant with relevant industry standards and company procedures.
• Promote a strong quality culture throughout the manufacturing operation.

Candidate Requirements Essential

• Proven experience within a Quality Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer or similar position within a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• Experience within structural steel, heavy fabrication, engineering or a similar environment.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance and quality control processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Experience managing non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Experience carrying out inspections and maintaining quality documentation.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Good understanding of welding and fabrication processes.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with production and engineering teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to quality.

Desirable

• Experience within the rail, highways, infrastructure or construction sectors.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 3834.
• Knowledge of EN 1090 and relevant execution classes.
• Experience working to NHSS, RISQS or similar industry standards.
• Welding inspection qualifications such as CSWIP 3.0/3.1 or PCN.
• Experience with ITPs, quality plans and manufacturing quality records.
• HNC/HND or Degree in Engineering, Quality or a related discipline.
• Internal Auditor qualification.
• Experience working within a project-based fabrication environment.

What We Offer

• Salary of £45,000 - £48,000 depending on experience.
• Opportunity to join an established and growing engineering business.
• Exposure to major UK infrastructure projects.
• A varied, hands‑on quality role within a large fabrication environment.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• Company pension scheme.
• Ongoing training and development.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Quality Assurance Engineer who enjoys working in a hands‑on engineering environment and wants to play a key role in maintaining quality standards across complex fabrication and infrastructure projects.