Quality Assurance Manager

Red Chilli Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A mechanical engineering firm in Southampton is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to oversee compliance in pipework and pressure vessel fabrication. You will ensure adherence to standards like ASME B31.3 and lead audits, maintaining critical documentation. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in fabrication environments and compliance requirements. This role offers a competitive salary with benefits including progression opportunities, a company pension, and a varied workload across multiple industries.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Company pension & sick scheme

Phone provided

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong background in pipework fabrication and pressure vessel manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with ASME B31.3.
• Solid understanding of PED, CE/UKCA, CPR and related compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Acting as the single point of contact for all QA across the business.
• Ensuring strict compliance to pipework and pressure vessel codes.
• Maintaining and developing technical files and compliance documentation.

Skills

Pipework fabrication

Pressure vessel manufacturing

ASME B31.3

PED compliance

CE/UKCA compliance

Quality assurance systems

Job description

Quality Assurance Manager – Pipework & Pressure Vessels (ASME B31.3 / PED / CPR)

Southampton | £60,000‑£70,000 + benefits

Are you the go‑to person for pipework and pressure vessel compliance? Do you live and breathe ASME B31.3, ASME VIII, PED, CE/UKCA, and CPR… and actually enjoy being out on the workshop floor making sure standards are nailed every single time? If you're nodding already – you're our person. We’re representing an established, hands‑on SME mechanical engineering firm working across large oil & gas, petrochemical, utilities etc. They deliver high‑integrity fabrication projects to seriously tight deadlines, and their reputation is built on quality, compliance, and doing things properly.

We’re looking for a Quality Assurance Manager who genuinely understands what “good” looks like in a pipework and pressure vessel fabrication environment, and who isn’t afraid to take ownership of the quality function end‑to‑end.

What You’ll do

• Acting as the single point of contact for all QA across the business.
• Ensuring strict compliance to pipework and pressure vessel codes including ASME B31.3, ASME VIII, PD5500.
• Maintaining and developing technical files, ITPs, CE/UKCA/PED compliance and CPR documentation.
• Leading internal and supplier audits to ISO 9001 / ISO 45001.
• Providing technical input on welding standards (ASME IX / BS 15614), materials, design and fabrication.
• Supporting the workshop teams to ensure projects are delivered right‑first‑time.
• Investigating quality issues and driving root‑cause corrective actions.

What You MUST Bring

We’re being very direct on this – if you don’t have these, this role won’t be the right fit:

• Strong background in pipework fabrication and pressure vessel manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience with ASME B31.3.
• Solid understanding of PED, CE/UKCA, CPR and related compliance requirements.
• Experience from a workshop / fabrication SME is ideal.
• Working knowledge of ASME VIII, PD5500, welding standards, ITPs and QA systems.
• Confident producing documentation, reviewing drawings, and ensuring code compliance on the shop floor.

What’s In It For You?

• Salary £50k‑£65k DOE.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Company pension & sick scheme.
• Phone provided.
• Real career progression in a growing business.
• A respected seat at the table – this role is critical to their operation.
• A genuinely varied workload across multiple industries.

Apply now and become a central part of a business that values engineering excellence, accountability, and people who get things done.