Quality Engineer - DMSG (Full Time)
DEPARTMENT/SECTION: DMSG
REPORTS TO: QHSE Manager
LOCATION: Letchworth Garden City - SG6 1TN
ABOUT US
DM are the UK’s leaders in calibration, communications (EMC and RF) and services for the defence and commercial sectors. We’re a customer-led organisation that’s supported by the world’s leading experts in both defence and commercial sectors. We support organisations in the United Kingdom and Worldwide through our calibration services, defence design and post-design services and EMC/RF equipment and RF monitors.
DM Defence
DM is a prime and subprime defence contractor, working closely in partnership with the defence industry across the United Kingdom and Rest of the World. Our specialist design engineers work closely with naval, air and space, and land warfare forces.
JOB SUMMARY / OVERALL PURPOSE OF ROLE:
The Quality Engineer is responsible for assuring the quality of components and materials throughout the supply chain and production process. The role covers detailed dimensional and visual inspection of components, preparation and approval of Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIRs), goods inwards inspection, and supporting the maintenance and continual improvement of the company's integrated management system. The post holder will prepare the business for external certification and customer audits, conduct internal audits against ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, and conduct supplier audits, reporting directly to the QHSE Manager.
RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES
Component Inspection
- Carry out detailed dimensional, visual and functional inspection of manufactured and purchased components against engineering drawings, specifications and customer requirements.
- Use a range of precision measuring equipment (e.g. micrometers, verniers, height gauges, gauge pins, shadowgraph/optical equipment) accurately and in accordance with calibration requirements.
- Interpret engineering drawings, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
- Raise, record and manage non-conformance reports (NCRs); quarantine non-conforming product and support root cause analysis and corrective action (e.g. 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa).
ISIRs / First Article Inspection
- Prepare, complete and approve Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIRs) for new parts, engineering changes, new suppliers and process changes.
- Review supplier-submitted ISIRs/FAIRs and associated documentation (material certificates, certificates of conformity, test results) for completeness and compliance.
- Liaise with suppliers, engineering and production to resolve ISIR queries and drive right-first-time part approval.
Goods Inwards Inspection
- Perform goods inwards inspection of purchased components and materials in line with inspection plans, sampling regimes and customer/flow-down requirements.
- Verify supporting documentation (CofCs, material and test certificates, release paperwork) prior to acceptance into stock.
- Maintain accurate inspection records and quality data; report supplier performance issues to the QHSE Manager and purchasing team.
External Audit Preparation
- Prepare the business for external audits, including certification body surveillance/recertification audits and customer or regulatory audits.
- Ensure documentation, records, procedures and evidence are audit-ready; coordinate pre-audit reviews and close out any gaps identified.
- Support the QHSE Manager during external audits, acting as guide/subject matter expert, and manage the timely closure of any findings.
Internal Auditing — ISO 9001 & ISO 14001
- Conduct internal audits of the quality and environmental management systems in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015.
- Produce clear, objective audit reports; raise findings and opportunities for improvement, and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.
- Maintain the internal audit programme and contribute audit results to management review.
Supplier Quality & Approved Supplier List
- Work directly with suppliers to resolve non-conforming products, including raising supplier non-conformance reports, agreeing containment actions, and verifying corrective and preventive actions through to closure.
- Plan and conduct supplier audits (on-site and remote/desk-based) to assess capability, compliance and performance; report findings and follow up supplier corrective actions through to closure.
- Maintain and develop the Approved Supplier List (ASL), including supplier approval, assessment/re-assessment and performance monitoring, using supplier audit results to inform approval status.
- Feed goods inwards and ISIR results into supplier performance ratings and recommend changes to supplier approval status to the QHSE Manager.
KPIs, Reporting & Meetings
- Record, maintain and report KPIs relating to inspection activity (e.g. goods inwards acceptance/reject rates, inspection turnaround times, ISIR first-time pass rate, NCR volumes and supplier PPM/on-time delivery quality performance).
- Analyse KPI trends to identify recurring issues and improvement opportunities, presenting data in a clear format (charts, dashboards, reports).
- Attend and contribute to internal meetings (e.g. production, quality and management review meetings) to report on inspection activity, KPIs, audit status and supplier quality performance.
Risk Assessments
- Create, review and update risk assessments as required, covering equipment and machinery, chemicals and substances (COSHH), working methods and processes, and other workplace activities.
- Ensure risk assessments identify appropriate control measures, are communicated to relevant personnel, and are reviewed following incidents, changes to equipment, chemicals or methods, or at defined intervals.
- Support the QHSE Manager in maintaining the risk assessment register and associated safe systems of work.
General
- Support continual improvement activities and promote a positive quality and environmental culture across the business.
- Maintain calibration status of inspection equipment used and escalate any calibration issues.
- Comply with all company QHSE policies, procedures and security requirements, and undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the QHSE Manager.
ESSENTIAL ATTIBUTES
- Proven experience as a Quality Engineer / Quality Inspector in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Demonstrable hands-on experience in measurement and detailed component inspection, including confident use of precision measuring equipment (e.g. micrometers, verniers, height gauges).
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written, with the ability to produce clear reports and communicate confidently with suppliers, colleagues and auditors.
- Experience preparing and reviewing ISIRs (or FAIRs) and conducting goods inwards inspection.
- Experience working with suppliers on non-conforming product and corrective actions, and of maintaining supplier approval records / an Approved Supplier List.
- Able to record, analyse and present inspection KPIs and confidently report on own work in meetings.
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015; trained internal auditor (or willing to complete internal auditor training promptly).
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T.
- Strong attention to detail, report writing and record-keeping skills; competent with MS Office and quality/ERP systems.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain the required security clearance (this may require [UK] residency history and right-to-work checks).
DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES
- Formal internal auditor qualification (e.g. CQI/IRCA-recognised) covering ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001.
- HNC/HND or equivalent in an engineering discipline, or membership of the CQI.
- Experience of inspecting electro-mechanical products, assemblies or components (e.g. wiring, connectors, PCBs, cable assemblies, motors or switchgear).
- Experience of root cause analysis tools (8D, 5-Why, fishbone).
- Experience of conducting supplier audits and of hosting external audits, ideally in a regulated or security-controlled sector (e.g. defence, aerospace).
- Knowledge of AS9100, PPAP or customer-specific quality requirements.
- Full driving licence (beneficial for travel to supplier sites for audits).
- Comfortable working within a secure data environment.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Internal: QHSE Manager (line manager), QHSE Engineer, Engineering Manager, production, engineering, purchasing, stores/goods inwards, senior management.
- External: suppliers, customers, certification bodies and external auditors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- The role may require occasional travel to supplier sites to conduct supplier audits.
- The appointment is subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks and the granting of security clearance.
- This job specification is not exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended in line with business needs.
BENEFITS
- Free Onsite Parking
- Refreshments
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Comfortable working within a secure data environment
Experience:
- Quality inspection: 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
