Job Title: Quality Engineer
Main Purpose of the Job
The Quality Engineer is responsible for providing technical product and process quality support, covering manufacturing, NPI, FAIRs and root cause and investigation to ensure full compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards within the aerospace and defence sectors. This role is hands-on and operational, bridging engineering, manufacturing and compliance to improve reliability, safety and customer satisfaction.
Relationships
Responsible to: Quality Manager
Responsible for: Quality engineer, Quality apprentices
Main Task of the Job
Manufacturing Quality Support
- Own quality for assigned products and work areas (lay-up, cure, machining, assembly)
- Lead 8D and root-cause investigations on NCRs.
- Create and maintain PFMEAs, Control plans and inspection plans.
- Validate tooling and fixtures, ensuring key characteristics are controlled.
Process Assurance
- Monitor composite process parameters (temp, vacuum, pressure, cure cycle)
- Conduct process audits (layup discipline, ply orientation, bag integrity
- Ensure environmental controls (humidity, temperature, material freezer management)
First Article Inspection (AS9102)
- Own technical preparation and validation
- Create FAIR dimensional evidence packages (CMM data, certs, process evidence)
- Ensure effective control of inspection, test, and measurement activities
MRB/Dispositions
- Support MRB with technical assessments
- Create rework plans with project engineers and validate conformity to drawings/specifications
Training & Support
Provide shop-floor coaching on defects, lay-up quality and drawing interpretation
Assist with visual standards and defect libraries
Promote a strong right-first-time and continuous improvement culture.
Required Experience & Qualifications
Essential
Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering/Materials/Manufacturing/Quality
3-7+ years in manufacturing Quality Engineering
AS9100 and AS9102 working knowledge
Experience of FAIRs (AS9102), PPAP-style processes, or customer-specific aerospace standards
Hands-on experience with:
- PFMEAs, Control Plans, Inspection Plans
- FAIR generation and validation (CMM, manual dims, cert packs)
- Process audits and special process controls
- MRB, concessions and rework planning
- Translating drawing/specs into practical quality controls
Desirable
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE, CQI, or ASQ equivalent)
- Statistical quality training (SPC, MSA, capability studies)
- Composite manufacturing or special processes training
- Experience with composites, machining, or complex manufacturing
Personal Attributes
- Detail-oriented & analytical skills
- Strong shop-floor presence and coaching mindset
- Willing to challenge decisions and uphold standards, even under pressure
- Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate quality issues to both technical and non-technical teams
- Collaborative and influential across cross-functional teams without formal authority
- Commercially aware and improvement-focused
This is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you may be expected to perform different tasks as required by the business’s overall objectives.
