Quality Planning Engineer

Manufacturing Recruitment Ltd; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing recruitment company is seeking a Quality Planning Engineer to lead quality planning throughout the product lifecycle. This includes developing quality control strategies, interpreting technical drawings, and using High QA software. Candidates should have 3–5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment and strong knowledge of quality standards like ISO 9001. The role also offers bonus incentives and benefits, including training support and pension contributions.

Benefits

Pension contribution

Training budget

Certifications support

Bonus based on performance

Qualifications

• Experience with SPC, CPK, FAIR, and APQP documentation required.
• Hands-on experience with inspection tools such as calipers and gauges.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality planning across all phases of the product lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain quality planning documentation using High QA software.
• Collaborate with Engineering during design reviews to ensure manufacturability.

Skills

Quality planning

Statistical Process Control

Technical drawing interpretation

Continuous improvement methodologies

Inspection and metrology tools

Education

3–5 years' experience in quality planning or engineering

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Six Sigma Certification

Tools

High QA software

CMM programming software (PC‑DMIS, CALYPSO)

Job description

Quality Planning Engineer

To lead quality planning across all phases of the product lifecycle—from New Product Introduction (NPI) and design feasibility through production release and ongoing validation.

Manufacture of gears for aerospace, formula one and motorsport.

Responsible for interpreting customer and internal technical drawings, developing quality control strategies, selecting appropriate gauges, and applying best practices and statistical tools to ensure robust, data-driven quality processes. This includes the use of High QA software for planning and documentation.

This role plays a critical part in aligning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to ensure that all products meet or exceed internal standards and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret customer specifications and technical drawings to extract Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) features for inspection planning.
• Review and analyse existing parts and operation sequences to improve inspection efficiency and reduce variation.
• Develop and maintain quality planning documentation using High QA software, including :
• Control Plans PFMEAs
• First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR)
• PPAP submissions
• Define and execute inspection strategies, including :
• First-off, in-process, and last-off inspections
• CMM inspection routines and programming
• Manual and digital measurement techniques
• Perform and interpret CPK studies and apply SPC tools to monitor and enhance process performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering during design reviews to ensure manufacturability and alignment with quality standards (DFM / A, APQP).
• Support the execution of Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and capability studies.
• Participate in internal audits and support external customer assessments in compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 standards.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying root causes of non-conformances using tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa diagrams.

Wish List

3–5 years’ experience in quality planning or quality engineering in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficient in High QA or similar QMS software (training will be provided if required).
• Qualified Quality Auditor (internal or lead preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T, technical drawings, and machining / manufacturing processes.
• Practical experience with SPC, CPK, FAIR, and APQP / PPAP documentation.
• Hands‑on experience with inspection and metrology tools (e.g., calipers, micrometres, gauges).
• Familiarity with quality standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.

Preferred

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green / Black Belt certification.
• CMM programming experience (e.g., PC‑DMIS, CALYPSO) is an advantage.
• Experience working with ERP and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Bonus / Incentive : up to 5‑10% depending on performance (quality KPIs, process improvement)

Benefits : pension contribution, training budget, certifications support, etc