Quality Technician

ZF Group; Darlaston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension System

2x Life Assurance cover

Health Cashplan

Job summary

ZF Group in Darlaston is seeking a Quality Technician to ensure production meets customer and in-house quality standards on every shift. You will perform inspections, verify processes, and support containment, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

The role requires strong metrology skills, GD&T knowledge, and the ability to read engineering drawings, with a proactive approach to defect escalation and teamwork with Quality Engineers and Operations.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3+ in engineering/manufacturing or automotive field.
• Experience with machining/assembly processes and quality roles.
• Ability to read drawings and use metrology tools on shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Perform First-Off inspections and verify parts against drawings and CTQ/CSI, signing off docs.
• Validate machine settings per standardized work and control plans.
• Carry out End of Line inspections, LPAs, and product/audit checks for quality.
• Monitor alternative/abnormal processes and ensure proper rework/concessions.
• Lead containment activities and 100% inspection; report defects trends.
• Collaborate with Quality Engineers and operators to resolve issues.
• Engage in 5 Why, Ishikawa, 8D, DMAIC problem-solving with data.

Skills

First-Off inspections

CMM measurement

Dimensional inspection

Reading engineering drawings

GD&T knowledge

Metrology equipment

Problem solving

Communication

Education

NVQ Level 3 or above in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Automotive

Tools

CMM

Micrometers

Verniers

Height gauges

Job description

You will join the Quality team, working closely with Quality Engineers, NPI, Engineering, and Operations to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality products and the protection of customer requirements throughout the manufacturing process. The team plays a key role in maintaining stable processes, identifying quality concerns early, and supporting continuous improvement across production.
As a Quality Technician, you will help ensure each production shift meets customer and internal quality requirements through inspections, process verification, audit checks, containment activities, and timely support for problem solving on the shop floor. Your contribution will be essential in maintaining product quality, process stability, and customer satisfaction.

What you can look forward to as Quality Technician:

• Complete First Off inspections, including CMM dimensional verification, for machining and assembly lines at start-up, tool changes, batch changes, and resets, verifying parts against engineering drawings, control plans, and CTQ/CSI requirements, signing off documentation, releasing equipment for production, and stopping/escalating non-conformances
• Validate critical machine settings and parameters in line with standardized work, control plans, and Poka Yoke requirements, ensuring timely verification, accurate record keeping, and escalation of deviations through abnormality reporting
• Conduct in-shift End of Line (EOL) inspections, layered process audits (LPAs), product audits, torque audits, assembly checks, and functional verifications against customer and internal standards, while isolating suspect products and identifying defect trends
• Verify and monitor alternative or abnormal processes, including manual rework, special tooling, and repaired equipment, ensuring authorised concessions and rework instructions are followed and that unauthorised process deviations are reported immediately
• Lead or support containment activities for supplier, internal, and customer quality concerns, implementing quarantine controls, 100% inspection, controlled shipping activities, and providing ongoing updates on containment status and defect trends
• Collaborate with Quality Engineers, Production Supervisors, and operational teams to support root cause analysis, sorting activities, verification processes, and the effective resolution of quality issues
• Participate in structured problem-solving activities using 5 Why, Ishikawa, 8D, and DMAIC methodologies, providing inspection data, measurement results, and shop-floor validation of containment and corrective actions to ensure recurrence prevention

Your profile as Quality Technician:

• NVQ Level 3 or above in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Automotive discipline
• Strong understanding and experience of machining and assembly processes, with previous experience in a manufacturing quality role and competence in dimensional inspection and quality standards
• Ability to perform First-Off, in-process, and final inspections using gauges, micrometres, verniers, height gauges, fixtures, test benches, and metrology equipment
• Proficient in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, control plans, and possessing a basic to intermediate understanding of GD&T
• Knowledge of Automotive Core Tools, including PPAP, APQP, MSA, SPC, and FMEA, with awareness of IATF 16949 requirements/training considered advantageous
• Experience with CMM measurement and the use of metrology equipment
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with a proactive mindset for identifying quality risks and issues
• Ability to work independently on shift, make decisions without immediate management support, and maintain a calm, structured approach to defect escalation
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with operational teams

Why you should choose ZF in Darlaston:

• Compensation depending on experience and qualification
• Pension System
• 2x Life Assurance cover
• Health Cashplan