Quality Engineer

Gooch & Housego Ilminster & St. Asaph; Dowlish Ford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading optical manufacturing firm in England is seeking a Quality Engineer to maintain high standards in customer satisfaction and operational compliance. You will drive quality excellence through auditing, support new product introductions, and contribute to business improvements. Ideal candidates will have quality engineering experience and certifications in AS9100 or ISO9001. The role offers competitive pay, 25 days holiday, and a company bonus scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Company pension (6% contribution)

Company bonus scheme

Health Cash Plan

£500 referral bonus for successful employee referrals

Qualifications

• Proven experience in quality engineering within a technical or optical manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within AS9100 or ISO9001 certified environments.
• Structured, analytical mindset with knowledge of COPQ metrics and MRB processes.

Responsibilities

• Drive quality excellence through auditing and process improvements.
• Support the Gated Contract Review process and new product introduction.
• Act as a customer-facing representative to resolve issues.
• Coordinate concession management and address non-conformances.
• Lead business improvement initiatives to reduce poor quality costs.
• Maintain and evolve the AS9100-certified Business Management System.
• Support junior team members within the Quality team.

Skills

Root cause analysis tools (5Y, 8D, DMAIC)

Internal or Lead Auditor certification to AS9100 or ISO9001

Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office)

Attention to detail

Continuous improvement methods

Education

Experience in a Quality Engineering role

Tools

Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Description

ABOUT US

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.

Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fibre optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy‑five years.

Our success is built on innovation, precision, and the talent of our people. We are committed to developing capability at every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate pathways through to leadership development.

LOCATION

Ilminster, Somerset

ROLE

At G&H Ilminster, we specialise in the production of advanced optical components for aerospace and defence applications. We’re currently seeking a Quality Engineer at our HQ site, you’ll be joining a collaborative team that values precision, unity, and customer focus—helping to deliver quality at every stage of the process. As a Quality Engineer you’ll play a key role in maintaining our high standards in customer satisfaction, operational compliance, and CI. You’ll work closely with cross‑functional teams and directly support the Quality Manager, while regularly engaging with senior stakeholders across the business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Driving quality excellence through internal auditing, root cause analysis, and the delivery of process improvements using 5Y, 8D and other structured problem‑solving tools.
• Supporting the Gated Contract Review process and new product introduction (NPI) by reviewing customer requirements and compiling FAIRs in line with AS9102 standards.
• Acting as a mature customer‑facing representative to ensure timely issue resolution and close‑out of customer returns.
• Coordinating concession management, analysing material non‑conformances, and working with supply chain teams to address root causes.
• Leading and supporting business improvement initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of poor quality (COPQ) and enhancing system performance.
• Contributing to the maintenance and evolution of our AS9100‑certified Business Management System (BMS) through effective auditing and risk‑based thinking.
• Playing a supportive role in coaching and developing junior team members within the Quality team.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

You’ll be confident in navigating complex quality issues, building relationships across departments, and engaging directly with customers and auditors. To be successful, you’ll bring:

• Internal or Lead Auditor certification to AS9100 or ISO9001.
• Proven experience in a Quality Engineering role, ideally within a technical or optical manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of root cause analysis tools (5Y, 8D, DMAIC) and continuous improvement methods.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to challenge and influence while maintaining high emotional intelligence.
• Experience working within AS9100 or ISO9001 certified environments.
• A structured, analytical mindset with good knowledge of COPQ metrics, MRB processes and supplier issue resolution.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma principles and an understanding of the SC21 initiative is desirable.

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension (6% contribution)
• Company bonus scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• £500 referral bonus for successful employee referrals (T&Cs apply)