Quality Engineer (Exeter)

South West Metal Finishing; Exeter; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-run metal finishing firm in Exeter is hiring a Quality Engineer to lead investigations into quality issues and improve processes for a key aerospace account. The role involves collaboration with multiple stakeholders, utilizing problem-solving methodologies, and requires experience in quality assurance. Competitive salary of £32,000 to £35,000, along with generous benefits including 25 days of holiday, life assurance, and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday

Life assurance

5% employer/employee pension

Healthcare cash plan

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in non-conformances and customer returns.
• Proven experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with structured problem-solving tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into non-conforming products using 8D and other tools.
• Review customer returns and ensure timely assessment.
• Support the daily MRB process and liaise with internal stakeholders.

Skills

Quality Engineering / Quality Assurance experience

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of Quality Management Systems

Communication skills

Job description

Quality Engineer

We’re hiring to support a major increase in customer demand & give dedicated focus to a key aerospace account and its continuous improvement activity. In return, you’ll receive up to £35,000, 25 days’ holiday + birthday leave & extra service days, life assurance & the chance to build a long‑term career in a niche, highly regulated sector.

About Us

South West Metal Finishing is a long‑established, family‑run surface engineering and metal finishing group, supplying high‑spec components to the aerospace, defence, automotive and high‑technology sectors. From our large facility on Marsh Barton Trading Estate in Exeter, we provide electroplating, anodising, chemical conversion, and non‑destructive testing services to many leading aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains. We hold AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP and ISO 14001 accreditations, operate in a highly regulated environment, and have been refining our craft for over 90 years. You’ll be joining a friendly, experienced quality team in a business that offers job security, interesting aerospace and defence work, and real scope for progression within quality, compliance and wider group roles.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Role

• Clear pathways into senior quality, compliance and group roles, with strong support from a Quality & Product Assurance leadership team that genuinely invests in people.
• Day shifts only, early Friday finish, and no regular weekend work.
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• An additional birthday day off (linked to attendance).
• Extra holiday for long service (up to 5 additional days).
• 5 % employer / 5 % employee pension.
• Death in service cover at 3× salary.
• Healthcare cash‑plan‑style scheme (contribution towards dental/optical).

The Role

As a Quality Engineer, you’ll focus on non‑conforming product, customer returns and continuous improvement – with particular emphasis on a key aerospace account where volumes and complexity are increasing. You’ll work closely with Quality, Engineering and Operations teams to investigate issues properly, not just apply a quick fix, and help move the culture towards robust root cause analysis and prevention.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into non‑conforming product, using problem‑solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, PFMEA, PDCA, Poka‑Yoke or Six Sigma to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Review and process customer returns daily, ensuring timely assessment, clear documentation and effective corrective and preventive actions in line with KPIs.
• Support the daily MRB (Material Review Board) process, walking the shop floor with engineering and operations to assess issues, agree dispositions and drive follow‑up actions.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders when procedures, specifications or work instructions need updating, ensuring documentation reflects current best practice.
• Provide professional communication to customers and suppliers, including 8D reports and responses to quality concerns.
• Support Lead Inspectors with AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports and help identify training needs within inspection.
• Analyse external (customer) returns data to spot trends and implement robust preventative actions.
• Attend daily SQDCP / departmental meetings and communicate openly with engineering, sales and production to help achieve company objectives.

About You – Essential

• Hands‑on Quality Engineering / Quality Assurance experience, ideally including non‑conformances, customer returns and MRB activity.
• Proven experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100) and related documentation.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and familiarity with structured tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, PFMEA, PDCA or similar.
• Able to interpret technical drawings and use MS Office confidently.
• Clear, professional communication skills – both written and verbal – with the ability to engage at all levels.

Desirable

• Experience in aerospace, surface treatment, electroplating or anodising environments.
• Exposure to NADCAP or similar special process audits.

Position Details

• Location: Marsh Barton, Exeter (on‑site)
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 08:00–16:30, Friday 08:00–14:00
• Salary: £32,000–£35,000 depending on experience