Senior Quality Engineer

First Recruitment Group; Warrington; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

First Recruitment Group is seeking a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer for a contract role in a highly regulated environment. You will lead assurance activities, review quality plans, and advise on regulatory requirements across projects, including supplier quality and NDE procedures.

The role focuses on risk assessment, continual improvement, and ensuring compliance with ISO 9001/17025 standards within a nuclear/high-hazard context. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Science/Engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Chartered member of the Quality Institute and registered CPD (desirable).
• Approved Auditor qualification or demonstrable auditing skills (desirable).
• Experience in Nuclear or highly regulated/high-hazard industry (desirable).
• Good working knowledge of ISO 9001 & ISO 17025 where relevant.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Quality Manager/Senior Quality Manager in the review of Quality Plans.
• Coach and advise on quality activities to support business delivery.
• Advise on standards relevant to activities, especially for new projects.
• Report findings from independent assurance activities and recommend corrective actions.

Skills

Auditing

Quality management

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Education

Science/Engineering degree

Chartered member of Quality Institute

Approved Auditor qualification

Job description

Lead Quality Assurance Opportunity - Play a Key Role in Delivering Quality Excellence Within a Highly Regulated Environment

Our Client has a requirement for a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, who will be required to work on a contract basis in Westlakes or Warrington.

Role Purpose

Provide functional advice, guidance and support to the business on all matters related to the delivery of an effective assurance programme. Ensure outputs meet customer and regulatory requirements. Support the Quality Manager and act as their deputy, covering agreed delegated duties and acting as a point of contact during periods of absence. Lead independent assurance activities and support continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

Job Role Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Quality Manager/Senior Quality Manager in the review of Quality Plans.
• Provide coaching, advice and support in relation to quality activities in support of overall business delivery.
• Support and advise the organisation on planning to meet standards relevant to its activities, particularly those specific to new projects and activities.
• Provide advice and guidance on the findings of independent assurance activities and report on levels of compliance, recommending corrective and preventive actions where appropriate.
• Review achievement of quality plans and recommend preventive, corrective and improvement actions.
• Identify risks and opportunities associated with organisational processes, products and services.
• Contribute to organisational, departmental and project risk and opportunity processes with a focus on quality aspects.
• Identify risks and opportunities within the supply chain and work collaboratively with suppliers to resolve issues and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure supplier quality arrangements are reviewed and approved/accepted in accordance with project requirements, including customer approvals and manufacturing documentation such as Quality Control Plans, weld schedules, weld procedures and NDE procedures.
• Use a range of qualitative and quantitative measurement tools and techniques to assess and report on quality plan achievement, goals and targets.
• Utilise appropriate quality control techniques suitable for the process, product, service and regulatory environment.
• Support the preparation of quality performance data, highlighting issues and trends whilst making recommendations for improvement.
• Assist in the identification and implementation of continual improvement plans and initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Review enquiry, tender and contract documentation relating to customer quality requirements and specifications, identifying project-specific requirements outside of the company quality system.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviours that promote health, safety, wellbeing, respect and inclusion.
• Support the performance and development of team members through effective communication and feedback.
• Assist with the planning and organisation of resources to ensure delivery against customer commitments.

Experience / Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications

• Science/Engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Chartered member of the Quality Institute and registered on an appropriate CPD scheme (desirable).
• Approved Auditor qualification or demonstrable auditing skills and experience (desirable).
• Proven track record within a similar role in the Nuclear sector or another highly regulated, high-hazard industry (desirable).
• Good working knowledge of the Nuclear industry.
• Good working knowledge of relevant quality standards and requirements.
• Good working knowledge of customer quality requirements where applicable.
• Strong understanding and practical application of ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 where relevant.
• Ability to investigate events using industry best-practice causal analysis tools.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and continuous improvement skills.
• Ability to lead assurance activities and provide expert advice to stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.