Quality Engineer - Automotive (Plant Launch)

Parkside Recruitment; Basildon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkside Recruitment is supporting an established international automotive manufacturer as they launch a brand-new UK production facility in Basildon. A hands-on Quality Engineer will support QA, process validation and continuous improvement across injection moulding, painting and assembly lines.

The role offers visibility on the shop floor, with opportunities for progression toward Quality Manager as the Basildon site grows within a global group.

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on quality engineer on shop floor.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Control Plans and PFMEA.
• Experience supporting audits and quality investigations.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Knowledge of plastic injection moulding, painting, and assembly processes.
• Understanding of IATF 16949 requirements.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma exposure.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Automotive manufacturing

APQP

PPAP

Control Plans

PFMEA

Root cause analysis

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma exposure

Shop floor presence

Job description

Parkside Recruitment is supporting an established international automotive manufacturer as they launch a brand-new UK production facility in Basildon. A hands-on Quality Engineer will support QA, process validation and continuous improvement across injection moulding, painting and assembly lines.

The role offers visibility on the shop floor, with opportunities for progression toward Quality Manager as the Basildon site grows within a global group.