Senior Quality Engineer

First Base Employment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

First Base Employment is recruiting on behalf of a leading aerospace and defence company for a Senior Quality Engineer in Derby. The role focuses on owning quality processes, AS9100/NADCAP compliance and continuous improvement within a precision engineering environment.

You will lead FAIRs, develop PFMEA and PPAP documentation, and drive internal and supplier audits, with strong cross-functional collaboration to ensure regulatory and customer requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace quality engineering and AS9100 frameworks.
• Proven ability to prepare, review and manage FAIR and PPAP documentation.
• Leadership of internal and supplier/customer audits within a regulated setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System (QMS) per AS9100, NADCAP and customer requirements.
• Lead FAIRs in accordance with AS9102 and ensure aerospace qualification requirements are met.
• Develop and maintain PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts and PPAP documentation.
• Lead and support audits, ensuring readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Manage non-conformances and corrective actions using structured problem-solving (8D).
• Support NPI with cross-functional teams to meet quality requirements.
• Monitor quality KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
• Provide technical guidance to colleagues and promote a culture of quality.

Skills

AS9100

NADCAP

FAIR documentation

PFMEA

Control Plans

Process Flow Charts

PPAP

Audits

8D problem solving

Aerospace qualification

Job description

Senior Quality Engineer

Location: Derby

Hours: 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Flexible start time between 07:00 and 08:00, with a flexible finish between 16:00 and 17:00 Monday to Thursday. Friday finish at 12:00.

Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum, dependent on experience

First Base are currently recruiting on behalf of a leading company specialising in the aerospace and defence industry, who are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to join their team in Derby.

This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional with strong experience in aerospace qualification processes, FAIR documentation, quality planning and continuous improvement to take ownership of key quality activities within a precision engineering environment.

Key Responsibilities of a Senior Quality Engineer

• Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100, NADCAP and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead and support First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) in accordance with AS9102, ensuring aerospace qualification and customer requirements are met.
• Develop, review and maintain quality planning documentation, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts and PPAP documentation.
• Lead and support internal, customer and NADCAP audits, ensuring the business remains audit-ready and compliant with relevant standards.
• Manage customer quality queries, non-conformances and corrective actions, applying structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D and root cause analysis.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), working closely with engineering, manufacturing and planning teams to ensure quality requirements are achieved.
• Monitor quality performance indicators, identify recurring issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
• Provide technical guidance and support to colleagues, promoting a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Skills and Experience of a Senior Quality Engineer:

• Proven experience in a Quality Engineering role within the aerospace or precision engineering manufacturing sector.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, with experience supporting or managing NADCAP and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Demonstrable experience preparing, reviewing and managing FAIR documentation in accordance with AS9102.
• Strong experience with quality planning processes, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts and PPAP.
• Experience with aerospace qualification processes and ensuring products meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience supporting or leading internal, customer and third party audits.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, specifications and manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing non-conformances, customer complaints and corrective actions using structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing and planning teams.
• Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage quality activities independently.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within aerospace components, precision engineering or a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with quality management systems and relevant quality software.
• Previous experience in a senior or lead quality engineering position.

To be considered for this role

You should have a strong background in aerospace quality engineering, with practical experience in FAIR processing, quality planning and aerospace qualification activities. This role would suit an experienced Quality Engineer looking to take ownership of quality processes and contribute to continuous improvement across a precision manufacturing environment.

First Base Employment is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent service to both clients and candidates across the Commercial, Industrial, and Engineering sectors