Quality Manager

Hewland Engineering Ltd; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Quality Manager to enhance its Quality Management System and ensure compliance with industry standards. The successful candidate will manage audits, drive quality processes, and lead a team, ensuring the delivery of high-integrity products to global customers. Candidates should possess proven experience in aerospace quality leadership and knowledge of relevant certifications.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Health insurance

On-site parking

EV car scheme

Opportunities for ongoing training and professional development

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a quality leadership role within aerospace.
• In-depth knowledge of AS9100D, ISO9001, and ISO14001.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Manage internal and external audits, ensuring compliance.
• Oversee root cause analysis and corrective actions for non-conformances.

Skills

Leadership

Risk analysis

Problem-solving

Quality management

Education

Degree or HND in Engineering or Quality

Tools

ERP systems (Syspro)

Shopfloor data systems (Seiki AIR)

Job description

Job Title: Quality Manager

Department: Quality

Reporting to: General Manager

About the Role

Due to Hewland’s continued expansion and strong product portfolio across aerospace, motorsport, and future automotive, we are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead and continuously improve our Quality Management System (QMS). The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving compliance with AS9100D, ISO9001, and ISO14001, managing quality processes, and ensuring the delivery of high-integrity products to global customers.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role that involves managing a quality team, supporting special process validation, and ensuring audit readiness. An aerospace background is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Compliance

• Lead the quality function across the business, aligning systems and processes with AS9100D, ISO9001, and customer-specific aerospace requirements.
• Own the Quality Management System (QMS); ensure it is robust, audit-ready, and continually improved.
• Supervise and develop quality inspectors and engineers, fostering a strong culture of ownership and continuous improvement.

Audit & Certification

• Manage internal and external audits (customer, regulatory, certification bodies), including scheduling, preparation, and closure of findings.
• Lead AS9100D Stage 1 & 2 certification processes and maintain ongoing compliance.
• Chair or coordinate Management Review Meetings and report on quality KPIs, audit outcomes, and improvement initiatives.

Product & Process Quality

• Approve First Article Inspections (FAI) in line with AS9102.
• Oversee MRB activities, manage non-conformances (internal and supplier), and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys).
• Drive validation and ongoing compliance of special processes (e.g., shot peening, MPI, EDM), particularly for aerospace programs.

Customer & Supplier Quality

• Act as the primary quality contact for aerospace and high-performance customers, managing quality concerns and customer-specific requirements.
• Liaise with suppliers to improve quality performance, conduct audits when required, and ensure robust incoming quality control processes.

Process Improvement & Strategy

• Collaborate cross-functionally to embed quality into NPI, design reviews, and production readiness.
• Lead initiatives that reduce cost of poor quality (COPQ) and improve product integrity.
• Support risk analysis (FMEA), control planning, and standardisation of quality practices.

Documentation & Systems

• Ensure all quality records, procedures, and policies are accurate and audit-compliant.
• Manage QMS tools and interfaces with ERP/MRP (Syspro) and shopfloor systems (e.g., Seiki AIR).
• Develop quality dashboards and reporting frameworks for the leadership team.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in a quality leadership role within aerospace or an aerospace-approved environment.
• In-depth knowledge of AS9100D, ISO9001:2015, and ISO14001:2015.
• Demonstrable experience leading successful external audits and certification processes.
• Strong working knowledge of FAI (AS9102), PPAP, and special process requirements.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Skilled in structured problem-solving (8D, RCA, CAPA).

Desirable

• Degree or HND in Engineering, Quality, or related discipline.
• Certified Lead Auditor (AS9100D).
• Familiarity with NADCAP or similar special process standards.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or quality improvement methodologies.
• Experience using ERP systems (Syspro) and shopfloor data capture systems (Seiki AIR).
• Understanding of calibration and measurement system analysis.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (based on experience)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Health insurance
• On-site parking
• EV car scheme
• Opportunities for ongoing training and professional development

Why Join Hewland?

This is an excellent opportunity to shape and lead the quality strategy within a company committed to engineering excellence, aerospace growth, and innovation. If you have the background, drive, and leadership qualities to elevate quality performance, we welcome your application.

Salary: Competitive, based on experience