Quality Manager

HR GO Recruitment; Watford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Aerospace precision engineering company in Watford seeks an experienced Quality Manager to lead the QMS on the shop floor, drive a right-first-time culture across CNC machining, metal assemblies and test operations, and own audits with customers and suppliers.

The role is hands-on, data-driven and involves leading a small quality team, improving metrology, FAIR/FAI packs, traceability, and quality reporting while working closely with Engineering and Operations to deliver on-time, defect-free

Qualifications

• Significant Quality Management experience in precision engineering or machining.
• Strong knowledge of FAIR/FAI requirements and inspection reporting.
• Aerospace quality experience (AS9100-aligned) and metrology mastery.

Responsibilities

• Own, maintain and improve the AS9100-aligned QMS with traceability and controlled docs.
• Lead internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of actions.
• Act as escalation point for non-conformances and containment activities.
• Oversee inspection planning and production verification, including FAIR/FAI packs.
• Govern metrology capability and use of CMM and inspection equipment.
• Implement quality KPIs (scrap, rework, returns) and drive CI with Engineering/Operations.
• Lead and develop the Quality team on the shopfloor.
• Drive digital tooling and data-led reporting for traceability.

Skills

Quality Management

FAIR/FAI

Metrology

GD&T

Audits

Data reporting

Customer communication

Continuous improvement

Tools

CMM

Inspection equipment

Job description

Quality managers opportunity at this established aerospace precision engineering company.

A hands-on position with real shopfloor visibility and influence

Ownership of an AS9100-aligned Quality Management System, with autonomy to improve it

Technical challenge across high-precision CNC machining, metal assemblies and test operations

Strong focus on metrology, FAIR/FAI and "right-first-time" delivery

A small, established Quality team to lead: Quality Engineer, Goods In/Out Inspector, First-Off Inspector

Early finish every Friday (12:45) with set day shifts

The company is a specialist manufacturer providing complete manufacturing solutions to the Aerospace and Defence industries, specialising in metal structures and supporting major aerospace programmes with CNC-machined components and associated processes. Based in Watford, Hertfordshire, they reverse engineer and manufacture bespoke metal enclosures, chassis, cold plates and other liquid-cooled and sealed structures-taking products from initial design through to manufacture, processing and testing.

The role

We're looking for an experienced, hands-on Quality Manager with a strong precision engineering background to lead the Quality Management System and embed a "right-first-time" culture across CNC machining, metal assemblies and test operations. This role suits someone who enjoys being close to the process, confidently managing audits and customer requirements, and driving continuous improvement using data and technology.

Key responsibilities

• Own, maintain and continuously improve the QMS aligned to aerospace expectations (AS9100-aligned processes, traceability and controlled documentation)
• Lead internal and external audits (customers, suppliers and third-party), ensuring actions are closed effectively and on time
• Act as escalation point for quality issues: non-conformances, concessions/permits, containment, root cause (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) and verification of effectiveness
• Oversee inspection planning and product verification, including FAIR/FAI packs and production inspection reporting
• Govern metrology capability and best practice, including effective use of CMM and inspection equipment
• Implement and monitor quality KPIs (scrap, rework, returns/escapes, OTIF impact) and drive continuous improvement with Engineering and Operations
• Manage document control and quality record retention in line with customer and regulatory expectations
• Lead supplier quality management and requirements flow-down (certification, counterfeit avoidance, sub-tier control and change management)
• Lead and develop the Quality team (Quality Engineer, Goods In/Out Inspector, First-Off Inspector), ensuring consistent standards and strong shopfloor engagement
• Drive innovation within quality through digital tools, improved traceability and data-led reporting

Required experience & skills

• Significant Quality Management experience in precision engineering or machining (ideally aerospace/defence)
• Strong working knowledge of FAIR/FAI requirements and inspection reporting
• Strong understanding of traceability and batch/lot control
• Proven non-conformance control and corrective action leadership
• Solid understanding of metrology and dimensional inspection principles
• Confident interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T and customer specifications
• Experience working to aerospace quality requirements (e.g., AS9100-aligned systems)
• Strong computer literacy and confidence using/developing quality systems and data-driven reporting
• Confident communicator with customers, auditors, suppliers and shopfloor teams

Desirable

• Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor qualification (ISO 9001/AS9100)
• Experience with complex metal assemblies, pressure/leak integrity, coatings/finishing, or test environments
• Lean/Six Sigma tools and/or formal engineering qualification (HNC/HND/Degree) or equivalent experience

Personal attributes

• Detail-focused, pragmatic and production-aware
• Structured and methodical problem-solver who drives actions through to effective closure
• High integrity and discretion with confidential aerospace data
• Visible leader on the shopfloor, coaching and setting standards

This is a permanent job with a starting salary dependant on experience. You must have current UK right to work to be considered.