Quality Engineer - NPI & Continuous Improvement in Manufacturing

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Leicester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent position

Competitive salary

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd is seeking a Quality Engineer to join our Leicester-area team. Commutable from Melton Mowbray, this permanent role focuses on maintaining and improving the Quality Management System, processes and product quality across engineering, manufacturing and suppliers.

You will lead audits, perform root cause analyses, drive CAPAs and contribute to NPI and PPAP activities, ensuring compliance with ISO/IATF standards and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems and quality assurance principles.
• Experience within a manufacturing quality environment.
• Experience with root cause analysis, problem solving and corrective action.
• Experience conducting internal audits.
• Practical knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans and Process Flow.
• Experience with 8D problem solving would be advantageous.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret quality data and identify trends.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations and other cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a structured approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of quality procedures, processes and documentation.
• Conduct internal audits and support supplier auditing activities where required.
• Investigate product and process non-conformances using structured root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.
• Implement and verify corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence of quality issues.
• Analyse quality data, trends, defects and process performance to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Apply APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans and Process Flow techniques as appropriate.
• Provide quality support to production teams, assisting with problem solving and process improvement.
• Support customer complaints through investigation, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Prepare detailed quality reports, corrective action reports and audit findings.
• Ensure quality requirements are clearly understood and communicated across relevant departments.
• Provide quality support and guidance to employees where required.
• Support departmental and business quality objectives, KPIs and continuous improvement targets.
• Support NPI activities and ensure effective PPAP performance.

Skills

Quality Management

Quality Assurance

Root Cause Analysis

Audits

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

Control Plans

Process Flow

8D Problem Solving

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Data Analysis

Communication

Cross-functional Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Education

Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing degree

Job description

Optima UK Inc Ltd is seeking a Quality Engineer to join our Leicester-area team. Commutable from Melton Mowbray, this permanent role focuses on maintaining and improving the Quality Management System, processes and product quality across engineering, manufacturing and suppliers.

You will lead audits, perform root cause analyses, drive CAPAs and contribute to NPI and PPAP activities, ensuring compliance with ISO/IATF standards and continuous improvement initiatives.