Senior Quality Engineer

Astute People; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Professional development

Challenging safety-critical projects

Job summary

Astute is recruiting a Senior Quality Engineer for its Abingdon site to lead NPI and APQP activities, ensuring right‑first‑time delivery and regulatory compliance. You will own PPAPs, drive containment and root cause analysis, and guide cross‑functional teams in a high-integrity environment.

The role requires strong quality tools experience (FMEA/MSA/SPC) and a background in regulated manufacturing, including welding/NDE, with opportunities for professional development and flexible working

Qualifications

• Engineering qualification or equivalent desirable.
• Formal QA/MIS auditing training beneficial.
• Extensive APQP and PPAP experience in regulated manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead New Product Introduction and APQP/PPAP from feasibility to volume production.
• Act as quality interface across cross-functional teams emphasizing safety culture and right-first-time.
• Compile and submit PPAP Level 3 documentation to meet customer/regulatory requirements.
• Manage non-conformances with containment, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Lead audits of internal, external, and supplier processes including welding and NDE.
• Ensure product traceability and proper documentation through manufacture.
• Develop and validate Control Plans across prototype to production stages.
• Collaborate with customers/suppliers to resolve quality issues and disposition parts.

Skills

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Statistical Analysis

Root Cause Analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fish)

Quality Tools

Education

Engineering qualification (apprenticeship, HNC or degree)

Quality Management System auditing training

APQP/PPAP knowledge

Tools

Minitab

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Astute's Nuclear Team is partnering with a high-integrity health and nuclear manufacturing business, to recruit a Senior Quality Engineer and Assurance Inspector for its Abingdon site.

This strategically important Senior Quality Engineer role comes with a salary of up to £60,000 alongside a competitive benefits package and flexible working hours.

Responsibilities and duties of the Senior Quality Engineer role

Reporting directly to the Quality and Engineering Manager, you will:

• Lead and support New Product Introduction and Advanced Product Quality Planning activities from feasibility through to volume production, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are achieved on time.
• Act as a key quality interface within cross-functional project teams, embedding nuclear safety culture and "right first time" principles throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Compile, review and submit comprehensive PPAP documentation, typically Level 3, ensuring full compliance with customer, regulatory and internal requirements prior to production release.
• Manage customer, supplier and internal non-conformances, driving timely containment, robust root cause analysis and effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Lead internal, external and supplier audits, including oversight of Special Processes such as welding and NDE, and conduct Launch Readiness Reviews to confirm manufacturing and supply chain capability.
• Ensure full product traceability and compliance documentation throughout manufacture, including Lifetime Records, material certification to BS EN (phone number removed).1, and CFSI mitigation.
• Develop, maintain and validate Control Plans across prototype, pre-production and production phases, supported by (email address removed) trials and process capability studies.
• Collaborate closely with customers and suppliers to resolve quality issues, protect the build process from non-compliant parts and agree compliant disposition routes.

Professional qualifications

We're looking for someone with the following:

• Engineering qualification (apprenticeship, HNC or degree) is desirable.
• Formal training in Quality Management System auditing techniques.
• Extensive working knowledge of APQP and PPAP within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong capability in core quality tools including FMEA, MSA and SPC.
• Proven experience with statistical analysis and process validation techniques.
• Practical experience applying root cause analysis methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys and Fishbone diagrams.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, with experience of statistical software such as Minitab being advantageous.
• Experience or knowledge of Special Processes, particularly welding (MIG/TIG, stainless steel and aluminium alloys) and robotic welding.

Personal skills

• Excellent communicator, able to influence customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
• Methodical and detail-focused, with a disciplined approach to documentation and data analysis.
• Proactive and resilient, comfortable working under pressure in a high-integrity environment.
• Collaborative team player who can also lead initiatives independently when required.
• Strong customer mindset, able to act as a guiding authority on quality deliverables.

Salary and benefits of the Senior Quality Engineer role

• Up to £60,000 salary
• 37.5 hours per week with flexible working
• Core hours: 10:00-15:00 Mon-Thu, 09:00-12:00 Fri
• Opportunity to work on technically challenging, safety-critical projects within a respected, progressive organisation.
• Support for professional development and continued training within quality and engineering disciplines.

We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and comply with all relevant UK legislation.

We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK.

Astute is also committed to the government's Disability Confident Employer initiative.

We endeavour to get back to everyone, however, if you have not heard anything after 7 days, please consider your application unsuccessful