Quality Engineer

Parkside Recruitment; Basildon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkside Recruitment is supporting an established international automotive manufacturer as they launch a brand-new UK production facility in Basildon. The Quality Engineer will help establish quality systems across injection moulding, painting and assembly and support process validation on the shop floor.

You will drive APQP/PPAP activities, PFMEA, audits and continuous improvement, with a clear path toward a future Quality Manager role as the site grows.

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive manufacturing quality environment.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Control Plans and PFMEA.
• Hands-on shop floor presence and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with audits and quality investigations.
• Experience with injection moulding and painting processes.

Responsibilities

• Support APQP activities and new product introductions
• Prepare PPAP documentation and maintain Process Flow Diagrams
• Develop Control Plans and PFMEAs
• Support audits and customer requirements
• Lead corrective actions using structured problem-solving
• Drive continuous improvement and scrap reduction

Skills

Automotive

Quality assurance

APQP PPAP

PFMEA

Root cause analysis

Shop floor presence

Process validation

Audits

Continuous improvement

Job description

Quality Engineer – Automotive Manufacturing

Parkside Recruitment is supporting an established international automotive manufacturer as they launch a brand-new UK production facility in Basildon.

Specialising in plastic injection moulding, automated painting and assembly operations, this new site represents a significant investment and offers the opportunity to join the business at an exciting stage of growth.

We are seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer to support quality assurance, process validation and continuous improvement activities across the manufacturing operation. This role offers genuine progression towards a future Quality Manager position as the UK facility expands.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Plant Manager, Production and Group Quality teams, you will play a key role in establishing and maintaining quality standards across injection moulding, painting and assembly processes.

This is an ideal opportunity for a Quality Engineer with automotive manufacturing experience who enjoys being visible on the shop floor and wants to help shape quality systems and standards within a growing operation.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Systems & Product Launch

• Support APQP activities and new product introductions
• Prepare and maintain PPAP documentation
• Develop and update Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans and PFMEAs
• Support compliance with customer-specific requirements and automotive quality standards
• Participate in internal, customer and third-party audits
• Support corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D

Manufacturing Quality & Process Validation

• Support qualification and validation of injection moulding, painting and assembly processes
• Conduct process capability studies and quality analysis
• Monitor manufacturing processes to ensure stability and compliance
• Work closely with production and engineering teams to identify improvement opportunities
• Support implementation of corrective and preventive actions

Painting & Surface Finishing Quality

• Support qualification and monitoring of paint and coating processes
• Investigate paint-related defects and quality concerns
• Assist with cosmetic defect assessment and appearance standards
• Support initiatives to improve product quality and process consistency

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Support incoming, in-process and final inspection activities
• Analyse quality performance data and prepare reports
• Assist with customer complaint investigations and containment activities
• Drive quality improvement and scrap reduction initiatives
• Promote a culture of quality throughout the organisation

Candidate Requirements

• Experience within an automotive manufacturing environment
• Previous experience in a Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Process Quality Engineer or similar position
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Control Plans and PFMEA
• Experience supporting audits and quality investigations
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
• Hands-on approach with a strong shop floor presence
• Experience within plastic injection moulding manufacturing
• Knowledge of paint, coating or surface finishing processes
• Understanding of IATF 16949 requirements
• Experience conducting process capability studies (Cp/Cpk)
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma exposure

Why Join?

• Join a brand-new UK automotive manufacturing facility during launch phase
• Opportunity to influence quality systems, processes and standards from day one
• Work within an established international manufacturing group
• Clear progression pathway towards Quality Manager
• Long-term career development within a growing operation

If you are a quality-focused manufacturing professional looking to play a key role in the growth of a new automotive facility, we would love to hear from you.