Quality Engineer

CVI Infrared Optics; Whetstone; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

CVI Infrared Optics in Whetstone is seeking a proactive Quality Engineer to join our manufacturing team. You will lead root cause investigations, drive continuous improvement, and support new product introductions with APQP, FMEAs, Control Plans and FAIRs.

Working with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain and Customers, you will ensure product quality, maintain ISO 9001 compliance, analyse COPQ and yield, and mentor teams in problem-solving and GD&T interpretation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or another STEM discipline.
• Experience within a manufacturing, engineering or industrial environment.
• Knowledge of New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.
• Practical experience of APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, FAIRs.
• Strong problem-solving skills using 8D or similar methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T specifications.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause investigations and problem-solving activities using 8D or equivalent methodologies.
• Monitor and report on yield performance, customer returns and COPQ.
• Implement effective corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring issues.
• Manage internal and external quality issues involving customers, suppliers and production teams.
• Facilitate reject reviews and drive containment and corrective actions.
• Support the successful introduction of new and revised products using APQP.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation including FMEAs, Control Plans, FAIRs, MSA studies.
• Assess manufacturing risks and ensure appropriate controls are implemented.
• Support process capability and Gauge R&R activities.
• Manage and maintain calibration systems for inspection equipment.
• Lead and participate in Continuous Improvement (CI) projects across manufacturing operations.
• Promote problem-solving and CI tools throughout the production environment.
• Support the implementation and sustainability of process improvements.
• Share lessons learned and best practices to drive company-wide improvements.
• Support and maintain compliance with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Conduct audits of manufacturing and business processes.
• Assist with training production teams on quality standards, inspection methods and best practices.
• Support quality reporting and performance reviews with key stakeholders.

Skills

Engineering degree

Manufacturing experience

NPI knowledge

APQP

FMEA

Control Plans

MSA

FAIRs

8D problem-solving

GD&T

ISO 9001

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

“CVI Infrared Optics is a part of the IDEX Materials, Science and Solutions (MSS) platform. Besides our unique capabilities in manufacturing large optics from visible to longwave, we are backed by the combined capabilities of our platform. CVI offers a full spectrum of optical engineering, manufacturing, and assembly expertise. Together we can support all our customers with more engineering expertise, broader capabilities, and extensive manufacturing resources. Since 1982, CVI Infrared Optics has been manufacturing advanced optical components for high performance optronics systems. We have become the leading experts in manufacturing and integration of large optics from visible, and near infrared, to longwave infrared, that can continuously perform in extreme weather climates and harsh conditions. When you need robust optical components and assembly expertise for your mission critical application, we can provide world-class solutions.

About The Role

We are seeking a proactive and driven Quality Engineer to join our manufacturing team in Whetstone. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in improving product quality, reducing manufacturing defects, supporting new product introductions, and driving continuous improvement across a precision manufacturing environment.

This role focuses on reducing defects, improving process capability, supporting new product introduction, and leading structured problem-solving activities to improve yield, reduce the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), and enhance overall product quality.

Working closely with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain and Customer teams, you will play a key role in maintaining a culture of quality excellence and operational improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Improvement & Problem Solving

• Lead root cause investigations and problem-solving activities using 8D or equivalent methodologies.
• Monitor and report on yield performance, customer returns and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Implement effective corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring issues.
• Manage internal and external quality issues involving customers, suppliers and production teams.
• Facilitate reject reviews and drive containment and corrective actions.

APQP & New Product Introduction

• Support the successful introduction of new and revised products using Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
• Develop and maintain quality documentation including:
• FMEAs
• Control Plans
• First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs)
• Measurement System Analysis (MSA) studies
• Assess manufacturing risks and ensure appropriate controls are implemented.
• Support process capability and Gauge R&R activities.
• Manage and maintain calibration systems for inspection equipment.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead and participate in Continuous Improvement (CI) projects across manufacturing operations.
• Promote problem-solving and CI tools throughout the production environment.
• Support the implementation and sustainability of process improvements.
• Share lessons learned and best practices to drive company-wide improvements.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Support and maintain compliance with ISO 9001 (and/or AS9100) quality management systems.
• Conduct audits of manufacturing and business processes.
• Assist with training production teams on quality standards, inspection methods and best practices.
• Support quality reporting and performance reviews with key stakeholders.

Key Performance Measures

• Manufacturing yield >95%

Customer returns Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Engineering or another STEM discipline.
• Experience within a manufacturing, engineering or industrial environment.
• Knowledge of New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.
• Practical experience of:
• APQP
• FMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA
• FAIRs
• Strong problem-solving skills using 8D or similar methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T specifications.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Degree in Quality, Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience conducting process audits.
• Experience training or coaching production personnel.
• Experience within a precision manufacturing or highly regulated environment.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated with a passion for quality and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical and data-driven mindset.
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• Influential and collaborative, with strong relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working across departments to drive positive change.
• Committed to learning and developing new skills.

Additional Information

• Occasional travel to customer and supplier sites may be required.

If you are passionate about quality, problem solving and continuous improvement, and want to make a tangible impact in a precision manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Family: Engineering

Business Unit: CVI