Quality Engineer – 6month Contract

Holt Executive Recruitment; Horsham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Holt Executive Ltd. is seeking an experienced Quality Engineer on a 6‑month contract in Horsham. You will lead the governance, audits and continuous improvement of the quality management system across design, development and manufacturing projects.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong problem-solving and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions, while supporting engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Experience building, implementing and improving quality-management systems in design, development and manufacturing.
• Extensive experience leading internal, supplier and third‑party audits.
• Strong root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (BS EN ISO 9001) ensuring conformance to requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on quality-management principles across programmes and business areas.
• Lead internal audits, analyse findings, identify risks and drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate root-cause investigations for non-conformances and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Provide QA assurance at design reviews, programme reviews and lifecycle gate reviews.
• Review customer contracts and specs to interpret quality requirements.
• Support customers on quality matters and assist with external audits and regulatory activities.
• Mentor Quality Engineers and stakeholders to foster a culture of quality excellence.
• Develop quality objectives, strategy and improvement roadmaps aligned with business priorities.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Quality mgmt

Audits

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Education

HNC/HND in engineering

Job description

Quality Engineer – 6-Month Contract Horsham, West Sussex Contract, 6months 37.5hours p/w

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Quality Engineer for a six-month contract supporting a design, development and manufacturing business.

Reporting to the Head of Quality, you will act as the quality subject matter expert for designated programmes and business areas. You will provide technical leadership, strengthen the Business Management System (BMS), lead audits and investigations, and drive practical improvements in quality performance.

This opportunity would suit a hands-on quality professional who can combine robust governance with effective problem-solving, influence stakeholders across functions and support engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the governance, development and continual improvement of the BMS, ensuring processes, procedures, work instructions and controls remain effective and compliant with BS EN ISO 9001, applicable regulations and customer requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on quality-management principles, processes and best practice across the business.
• Lead the internal audit programme, analyse findings and trends, identify systemic risks and drive effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead complex investigations into product, process, system, customer-return and field-related non-conformances, ensuring thorough root-cause analysis and sustainable corrective action.
• Provide independent quality assurance at design reviews, programme reviews and lifecycle gate reviews.
• Review customer contracts, specifications and bid documentation to identify and interpret quality requirements.
• Support customers with quality matters and issue resolution, and assist with external audits, regulatory interactions and compliance activities.
• Mentor and coach Quality Engineers and wider business stakeholders, supporting technical development and a culture of quality excellence.
• Support the development of quality objectives, strategy and improvement roadmaps aligned with business priorities.
• Present clear findings, risks and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience developing, implementing and improving quality‑management systems within a design, development and manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience managing audit programmes and conducting internal, customer, supplier and third‑party audits.
• HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in an engineering‑related discipline, supported by relevant quality‑engineering and management experience.
• Strong practical knowledge of structured problem‑solving techniques, including 8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa, root‑cause analysis and risk‑based thinking.
• Demonstrable leadership and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and drive organisational improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with experience engaging customers, suppliers, senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.

Desirable Experience

• Background in defence, aerospace or another highly regulated electromechanical manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of AQAP 2110, AQAP 2210, AS9100, ISO 27001 and ISO 14001, alongside ISO 9001.
• Experience in Design Assurance, Product Assurance or Quality Assurance leadership.
• CQI membership, Chartered Quality Professional status, IRCA Registered Auditor qualification or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience leading teams, mentoring technical professionals and delivering cross‑functional improvement programmes.
• Good health and safety awareness, ideally supported by an IOSH qualification.