Senior Quality Engineer

First Recruitment Group; Leeswood; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

First Recruitment Group is recruiting a Senior Quality Engineer for Heidelberg Materials Padeswood Carbon Capture Project on a 12-month PAYE contract in North Wales. You will lead site QA/QC activities, act as deputy for QA/QC matters and manage ITPs/ITRs across civil, structural, mechanical, piping and E&I scopes.

Reporting to the Project Quality Manager, you will drive audits, NCRs, root cause analyses, and lessons learned while coordinating with clients, contractors and suppliers to ensure

Qualifications

• Recognised Lead Auditor Qualification, preferably aligned with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems auditing.
• Experience with a Tier 1 EPC contractor on major construction projects.
• Ability to operate independently and provide proactive quality leadership on site.
• Knowledge of PE(S)R and regulatory compliance for UK projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day quality oversight across site construction activities.
• Review and manage ITPs/ITRs with defined hold points and witness points.
• Lead audits of contractors and project functions; issue audit reports and close out findings.
• Raise, review and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
• Lead or facilitate Root Cause Analysis investigations for significant issues.
• Monitor quality performance indicators and drive continuous improvement.
• Support completions, turnover and handover activities.

Skills

QA/QC leadership

Audit planning

Non-Conformance management

Root cause analysis

Contractor management

Education

Engineering or related technical degree

Tools

ITP management

ITR management

PE(S)R compliance knowledge

Job description

Location: Padeswood, North Wales
Contract: 12 Months PAYE (Extendable for 2+ Years)

Overview

Our client is currently recruiting for a Senior Quality Engineer to support the Heidelberg Materials Padeswood Carbon Capture Project on a 12-month contract basis.

Reporting to the Project Quality Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role within the site-based Project Quality team, acting as the primary deputy for QA/QC matters and supporting the day-to-day management of all project quality activities.

This position provides both Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) support across construction, installation, testing, completions and handover activities. The role spans multiple disciplines including Civil, Structural, Mechanical & Piping, and Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) and requires close collaboration with clients, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and project stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working for a Tier 1 EPC contractor on major construction projects and be capable of operating independently while providing proactive, practical quality leadership within a multidisciplinary site environment.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Control & Construction Assurance

• Provide day-to-day quality oversight across site construction activities.
• Review and manage contractor Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), ensuring appropriate inspection stages, acceptance criteria, responsibilities, hold points and witness points are defined.
• Monitor implementation of approved ITPs and ensure Inspection & Test Records (ITRs) and supporting documentation are completed and maintained.
• Conduct and coordinate quality surveillance and inspection activities across Civil, Structural, Mechanical & Piping, and E&I scopes.
• Verify that construction and installation activities comply with approved drawings, specifications, procedures, ITPs and project requirements.
• Support the resolution of quality issues arising during construction.
• Monitor the quality and completeness of construction records to support progressive completion and handover.
• Review contractor quality performance and identify trends, recurring issues and improvement opportunities.

Quality Assurance

• Support implementation and maintenance of the Project Quality Management System in accordance with the Project Quality Plan.
• Manage the Project Audit Schedule, including planning, preparation and execution of audits.
• Lead audits of contractors, subcontractors and project functions.
• Issue audit reports and manage findings through to close-out.
• Raise, review and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
• Lead or facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations for significant or recurring quality issues.
• Monitor quality performance indicators, including NCRs, audit findings and surveillance observations.
• Promote lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to contractor performance reviews and project quality reporting.

Completions & Handover

• Support progressive completion, systemisation, turnover and handover activities.
• Utilise electronic completions management systems to monitor completion status and quality records.
• Ensure inspection records, test documentation, certificates and supporting quality documentation are progressively compiled.
• Support resolution of punch list items and completion deficiencies.
• Assist with verification of final quality dossiers, turnover packages and handover documentation.

Regulatory & Technical Compliance

• Maintain knowledge of applicable UK statutory and regulatory requirements, including the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations (PE(S)R).
• Support compliance activities by ensuring appropriate quality evidence is generated and retained.
• Understand the relationship between specifications, codes, standards, inspection activities and final compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Completions and compliance specialists.

Stakeholder & Contractor Management

• Act as a senior quality focal point for assigned contractors, work packages and construction areas.
• Build effective working relationships with clients, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and project stakeholders.
• Attend construction, contractor and quality meetings.
• Provide guidance on quality requirements, risks and priorities.
• Challenge non-compliant practices professionally and constructively.
• Support contractors in resolving quality issues while maintaining independence and assurance.
• Represent the Project Quality function during inspections, audits, reviews and site meetings.
• Significant experience in a Senior Quality Engineer or QA/QC role working for a Tier 1 EPC contractor on major construction projects.
• Strong multidisciplinary quality experience across:
• Civil works
• Structural steelwork
• Mechanical equipment
• Piping fabrication and installation
• Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I)
• Strong knowledge of both Quality Assurance and Quality Control in EPC environments.
• Experience reviewing and managing ITPs and ITRs.
• Experience planning and leading quality audits.
• Demonstrable experience managing NCRs and corrective actions.
• Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis investigations.
• Experience supporting completions, turnover and handover activities.
• Knowledge of major project regulatory compliance requirements, including PE(S)R.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, procedures and industry codes/standards.
• Strong report writing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and make sound quality decisions in fast-paced construction environments.

Mandatory Qualification

• Recognised Lead Auditor Qualification, preferably aligned with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems auditing.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Engineering, Construction or other relevant technical Degree, HND, HNC or equivalent.
• Membership of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) at Practitioner or Member level.
• Relevant inspection or technical certifications such as:
• CSWIP Welding Inspector/Senior Welding Inspector
• NDT Certifications
• Coating Inspection Qualifications
• E&I/CompEx-related certifications
• Experience on major:
• Process plants
• Petrochemical facilities
• Experience with pressure systems, welding, NDT and certification requirements.
• Experience through the full project lifecycle from construction through commissioning and final handover.

Company information

At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates. We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for [role] looking for new employment.

As part of putting people first, we strive to be an equal opportunities employer and we are always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce, working closely with our clients to ensure everyone is included.

Sector: Commercial, Admin & Office Support

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