Senior Quality Engineer (2 Year FTC)

VSL International Ltd.; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

VSL/Bouygues Construction is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to support quality systems on Sizewell C, UK. You will implement, monitor and improve project quality, ensure compliance with specifications and standards, and provide guidance to engineering and delivery teams.

Responsibilities include audits, inspections, NCR handling, and reporting. A degree in civil engineering and QA experience on major projects are required; Lead Auditor is desirable.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Lead Auditor certification desirable.
• Experience with quality assurance in large projects.

Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor project quality requirements across construction activities.
• Promote Right First Time in project delivery.
• Provide technical quality guidance to engineering and construction teams.
• Monitor quality performance and KPIs for the project.
• Identify improvement opportunities and promote good practices.
• Develop and implement quality controls and inspection regimes.
• Review ITPs and quality documentation for compliance.
• Ensure quality records are complete and maintained.
• Lead quality meetings, audits, and reporting to stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Lead Auditor certification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Document control systems

Job description

As part of Bouygues Construction's Public Works division, VSL International participates in the construction of major technical structures and guarantees their structural safety and durability: transport infrastructure (bridges, tunnels), industrial and energy production structures, and commercial buildings.

VSL has 4,000 employees at 25 locations worldwide (Asia and Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Canada).

Project

Sizewell C is at the heart of the UK’s clean energy revolution. This landmark nuclear power station in Suffolk will provide low-carbon electricity for millions of homes and play a vital role in achieving the UK’s net zero targets. Supported by EDF and the UK Government, Sizewell C is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver sustainable energy infrastructure at scale.

We are responsible for a range of specialist ground engineering works, including deep soil mixing, plastic cut-off walls, embankments, and load transfer platforms — all of which form essential enabling works for the main power station.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to support the delivery of specialist ground engineering works on the Sizewell C project, one of the UK's most significant infrastructure developments.

The Senior Quality Engineer will be responsible for supporting the implementation, monitoring, and continual improvement of project quality systems and processes. The role will provide technical quality support to project teams, ensuring works are delivered in accordance with project requirements, company procedures, specifications, and applicable industry standards.

Working closely with engineering, construction and delivery teams, the Senior Quality Engineer will undertake inspections and surveillance, support audits, manage non-conformances, monitor quality performance, and promote a Right First Time approach across the project.

Main Responsibilities

Quality Engineering & Assurance

• Support the implementation of project quality requirements across construction and ground engineering activities.
• Promote and embed a Right First Time approach throughout project delivery.
• Provide technical quality advice and guidance to engineering and construction teams.
• Monitor quality performance and support the achievement of project quality KPIs.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and promote good quality practices across the project.
• Support the development and implementation of quality controls and inspection regimes.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Support the implementation and maintenance of Project Quality Plans, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) and quality procedures.
• Review quality documentation and records to ensure requirements are being met.
• Ensure inspection, test and quality records are completed accurately and maintained appropriately.
• Support the review of materials, plant, components and works to verify compliance with project requirements.
• Liaise with the wider quality function to ensure alignment with company standards.

Inspection & Surveillance

• Undertake planned site inspections and surveillance activities.
• Review ITPs, inspection records, test results and supporting documentation.
• Verify that construction and ground engineering activities are completed in accordance with approved procedures and specifications.
• Raise quality observations and NCRs where requirements are not met.
• Monitor and support the timely close-out of quality observations and non-conformances.
• Produce inspection, surveillance and quality reports.

Auditing & Assurance

• Support the preparation and delivery of internal and external audit programmes.
• Participate in internal, client, certification and regulatory audits.
• Support the identification and close-out of audit findings.
• Monitor compliance and identify trends or recurring quality issues.
• Provide quality assurance support to project teams and subcontractors.

Non-Conformance & Continuous Improvement

• Support the investigation of NCRs and quality issues.
• Undertake or contribute to root cause analysis using appropriate techniques.
• Support the development and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor corrective actions through to effective close-out.
• Identify recurring issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Capture and communicate lessons learned and good practice across project teams.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for all quality-related matters with the Client, regulators, and third-party organisations.
• Lead quality meetings, audits, and inspections with client representatives and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and present quality reports, performance metrics, and compliance updates to senior management and the Client.

Subcontractor & Stakeholder Management

• Support quality engagement with subcontractors, suppliers, clients and third-party organisations.
• Review subcontractor quality documentation and ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Participate in quality meetings, inspections and assurance activities.
• Provide technical quality guidance to delivery teams and subcontractors.
• Prepare quality reports, action trackers and performance updates for project management.

Site & Operational Support

• Work closely with engineering and construction teams to identify and resolve quality issues.
• Attend regular project and quality meetings.
• Support the development and review of inspection and testing requirements.
• Provide practical quality advice during construction activities.
• Assist with resolving technical quality issues and implementing effective solutions.
• Maintain accurate quality records and documentation.

Candidate Profile

Education & Experience

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Construction, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Strong experience in a Quality Engineering role within major infrastructure, civil engineering, geotechnical or construction projects.
• Experience supporting quality assurance and inspection activities on large-scale and complex projects.
• Experience working within regulated environments such as nuclear, energy, rail or major infrastructure is highly desirable.
• Experience working with subcontractors and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Lead Auditor qualification desirable.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Experience developing and implementing Project Quality Plans, ITPs and quality control processes.
• Strong understanding of construction, engineering and inspection requirements.
• Experience with site surveillance, inspections, audits and NCR management.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action processes.
• Strong reporting, documentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience using digital quality management and document control systems desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Strong technical and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Proactive and solutions-focused approach to problem solving.
• Ability to influence and support quality performance across multidisciplinary teams.
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced and complex project environment.
• Committed to Right First Time, continuous improvement and operational excellence.

VSL/Bouygues Construction is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. A copy of our Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.