Quality Engineer

LER (SG) Ltd; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local plastic injection moulding company in the Tees Valley is seeking a Quality Engineer to ensure consistent product quality within their operations. The role involves overseeing a quality team, driving improvements using Lean Six Sigma methods, and collaborating across departments. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in quality engineering within manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector. Competitive salary of £40k - £50k plus excellent benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in a Quality Engineering role within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience in the automotive sector desirable.
• Experience in Injection Moulding desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight to the shift Quality team.
• Drive continuous improvement in product and process quality.
• Conduct root cause investigations for quality concerns.

Skills

Quality tools and methodologies

Problem-solving mindset

Lean Six Sigma knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Team leadership

Education

HNC, HND or BEng in Engineering

Tools

FMEA

Root Cause Analysis

SPC

Job description

Quality Engineer

Location: Darlington area / North East
Salary: £40k - £50k plus excellent benefits

A local plastic injection moulding company that supplies parts to the automotive industry now requires a Quality Engineer to join their team.

Quality Engineer - Job Role

The Quality Engineer plays a key role in ensuring consistent product quality within injection moulding operations supporting both current production and NPI. This position combines technical expertise in quality engineering with hands‑on problem solving and strong cross‑functional collaboration. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Tooling teams, the Quality Engineer supports the delivery of robust processes and high‑performance components that meet the standards required for market‑leading robotic mowers.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks

• Provide technical oversight to the shift Quality team, including Technicians, Auditors, and Product Checkers
• Act as the Quality representative for Moulding, Printing, Foiling, and selected sub‑assembly operations
• Drive continuous improvement in product and process quality using structured problem‑solving tools (e.g. Six Signa, 8D, DMAIC, FMEA)
• Responsible for New Product Introduction from a Quality perspective in line with APQP framework
• Creation and submission of PPAP documentation
• Support the development and performance of the Moulding Quality Team in collaboration with the Lead Quality Engineer and Quality Manager
• Conduct root cause investigations for internal and external quality concerns, ensuring timely resolution and preventive action
• Maintain accurate logging, monitoring, and closure of formal concerns, rework, and containment activities
• Review and update PFMEAs, Control Plans, and associated documentation in response to product or process changes
• Define and oversee product audit criteria and frequency within live production environments
• Lead data‑driven quality improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and containment costs
• Analyse quality performance data to identify trends and opportunities for process improvement
• Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) relevant to quality activities
• Support production trials, including Design of Experiments (DOE), and validate changes through structured evaluation
• Champion a culture of quality across the organisation through proactive engagement and collaboration
• Ensure smooth transition of new products from NPI by working closely with the NPI Quality Engineer
• Lead key quality forums, including Daily Quality Meetings and Bi‑Weekly Moulding Quality Reviews
• Contribute to strategic workforce planning, and employee engagement initiatives alongside the Quality Manager

Requirements

• Hold a HNC, HND or BEng in Engineering or a related technical field or equivalent experience
• 5+ years' experience in a Quality Engineering role within a high‑volume manufacturing environment
• Experience in the automotive sector desirable
• Experience in Injection Moulding desirable
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma or certification (e.g., Green Belt / Black Belt) desirable
• Proficient in quality tools and methodologies (FMEA, Root Cause Analysis, SPC, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the business
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams
• Strong problem‑solving mindset and data‑driven approach
• Proven experience in leading and managing a team of engineers or technical professionals, with the ability to mentor, delegate effectively, and drive high performance

For more information please call Paul Gorton on (phone number removed).