SUPPLER QUALITY ENGINEER

KNDS DEFENCE UK LIMITED; Stockport; Sur place; GBP 42 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Half-day Friday

Life assurance

Sick pay scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Additional holidays

Wellbeing initiatives

Cycle-to-work

On-site parking

EV charging points

Résumé du poste

KNDS UK LIMITED is recruiting a Supplier Quality Engineer to own the quality and compliance of supplied components across the supplier lifecycle. You will lead SCAR processes, perform FAI, and drive root-cause analysis with suppliers to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to KNDS quality standards.

Key responsibilities include coordinating containment actions, auditing supplier data, and maintaining robust communications with vendors.

Qualifications

• A-Levels or apprenticeship with Maths/English at GCSE grade 4 or equivalent.
• Experience in SQ within Automotive, Aerospace or Off-Highway assemblies.
• Strong GD&T and component fitment knowledge.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes for key assembly supplier components.
• Experience with ISO 9001/14001, AQAP 2110 and other relevant standards.
• Experience reviewing PPAPs and engineering drawings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical reporting and stakeholder management.

Responsabilités

• Manage SCAR lifecycle from issuance to closure.
• Perform First Article Inspections (FAI) and audit supplier measurement data.
• Coordinate rapid containment activities when defects arise.
• Conduct root-cause analysis for lineside non-conformances; drive corrective actions.
• Review engineering/manufacturing specs to identify materials for assembly.
• Maintain regular contact with vendors to drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct supplier quality audits to ensure KNDS requirements.
• Assist with logistics and communications for packaging/receiving issues.

Connaissances

SCAR management

FAI & supplier data auditing

Root cause analysis

APQP/PPAP/FMEA

GD&T knowledge

Quality systems ISO 9001/14001

Vendor communication

Logistics support

Formation

A-Levels/Apprenticeship

Engineering degree (desirable)

Description du poste

We currently have an opportunity for a Supplier Quality Engineer

About KNDS UK:

With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme.

We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business such as Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management and Business Support functions.

As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines and currently have this opportunity available.

About the role:

The primary purpose of this role is to be responsible for the quality and compliance of supplied components to drive rigorous root-cause analysis, execute rapid containment strategies, and enforce strict, structured problem-solving methodologies. You will support the supplier lifecycle from initial onboarding and First Article Inspection (FAI) through to performance monitoring and Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCAR).

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

• Managing Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCAR) from issuance to successful closure
• Perform First Article Inspections (FAI) and auditing/reviewing supplier measurement data.
• Rapidly coordinate, deploy, and manage quality containment activities when defects arise.
• Conducting root cause analysis for lineside non-conformance issues with supplied materials and following up with suppliers on corrective actions.
• Reviewing engineering and manufacturing specifications to identify materials needed for product assembly for all manufactured goods
• Communicating with vendors regularly to address any concerns and fostering an environment that facilitates continual improvement
• Conducting supplier quality control audits on a regular basis to ensure vendors and their supplies remain in compliance with KNDS requirements
• Assisting with logistics, including communications with vendors, when there are packaging and receiving issues when materials arrive at receiving dock.

What we’re looking for:

Candidates must have the following essential qualifications and experience:

• Further Education (A-Levels/Apprenticeship)
• Minimum of a Grade 4 in Maths and English at GCSE Level or Equivalent
• Previous experience within SQ within Automotive/Aerospace/Off Highway assembly centric
• Strong background in assembly-specific engineering, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and component fitment.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes for key assembly supplier components, including powertrain, electronics, fasteners, and C-type parts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong capability for technical reporting and stakeholder management.
• Understanding and interpreting all manufacturing audits, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AQAP 2110, and other applicable industry standards
• Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
• Proven experience in the review and validation of internal or supplier submitted PPAPs.
• Understanding and interpretation of engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of quality system methodologies and problem-solving methodologies

The following are desirable:

• Degree in a relevant Engineering discipline.
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Experience driving supplier onboarding processes and managing supplier performance metrics and expectations.
• Ability to coach organisations on how to development, implement, and manage APQP.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following skills and aptitudes:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Problem solving, team building, planning and decision making.
• Analytical skills using data to drive decisions.
• Ability to positively motivate others.
• Focused and target driven with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work on their own initiative and as part of team.

Why you should join us:

When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary
• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)
• Half-day Friday
• Life assurance scheme
• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Additional Holidays & Long Service rewards
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as Free Fruit on Tuesday’s
• Cycle-to-work Scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• On-site electric vehicle charging points

We’re also very proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2018, achieving their Silver Award in 2020 and Gold Award in 2024. We actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process.