Senior Quality Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Professional development support

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Astute People are recruiting a Senior Quality Engineer and Assurance Inspector for our Abingdon site to support New Product Introduction and PPAP activities while embedding a safety-focused culture across the programme.

The role offers up to 60,000 salary, 37.5 hours, flexible hours and a strong emphasis on integrity, safety and people. Ideal for professionals with nuclear manufacturing experience seeking challenging, compliance-driven work.

Qualifications

• Engineering qualification desirable.
• Formal training in Quality Management System auditing techniques.
• Extensive APQP/PPAP experience in regulated manufacturing.
• Strong tools: FMEA, MSA, SPC.
• Experience with statistical analysis and process validation.
• Root cause methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams.
• Proficient IT: Word, Excel, Outlook; Minitab advantageous.
• Experience with welding processes (MIG/TIG) and robotics.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI and APQP activities from feasibility to volume production.
• Act as quality interface within cross-functional teams; embed nuclear safety culture.
• Compile and submit PPAP docs, typically Level 3, ensuring compliance.
• Manage non-conformances; drive containment, RCA and CAPAs.
• Lead audits internal, external and supplier; oversee welding and NDE.
• Ensure traceability and compliance docs throughout manufacture; Lifetime Records.
• Develop and validate Control Plans across prod phases; support trials.
• Collaborate with customers/suppliers to resolve quality issues and ensure compliant dispositions.

Skills

APQP/PPAP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Root cause analysis

Statistical analysis

NDE/welding

Process validation

Education

Engineering qualification

Quality Management System auditing training

Tools

Minitab

MS Office

Outlook

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. If you're a Quality Engineer looking to work for an organisation that puts integrity, safety, and people at the forefront of everything it does,

Responsibilities and duties of the Senior Quality Engineer role

• 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 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

• 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.

INDNUC

Astute People are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy. 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.