Lead Quality Engineer
Business: UK Defence
Reports to: Product Quality Manager
Location: West Yorkshire, UK
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Travel: UK & International – less than 10%
Role Purpose
The Lead Quality Engineer provides quality leadership, governance, and assurance across assigned value streams and Integrated Project Teams (IPTs). The role ensures that products, processes, and systems comply with ISO 9001:2015, customer, contractual, legislative, and defence requirements, while driving Right First Time (RFT) delivery and continuous improvement.
The role includes direct line management of a team of Quality professionals and acts as the primary quality interface with customers, suppliers, and third-party accreditation bodies.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Management & Governance
• Maintain and continuously improve the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ensuring ongoing compliance and effectiveness.
• Monitor implementation of quality policies, procedures, and practices across assigned value streams.
• Provide quality input to order enquiries, contracts, and project reviews.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and customer requirements (ISO, AQAP, DEFSTAN, BSI, EN, DIN, Lloyd's Rules).
Audit & Compliance
• Lead, host, and conduct internal, supplier, customer, and third-party audits using risk-based thinking.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external accreditation bodies and customer quality audits.
• Verify and approve internal, supplier, and third-party documentation including FAIRs, inspection records, material certification, NDE records, and certificates of conformity.
Project & Stakeholder Support
• Operate as the Quality representative within multi-functional IPTs, supporting proactive and collaborative project delivery.
• Provide regular quality updates to internal teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Support internal, supplier, and customer meetings with clear quality governance and reporting.
Non-Conformance & Problem Solving
• Lead investigations into non-conformances, defects, near misses, and customer complaints.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools (8D, A3, DMAIC, 5 Why, Ishikawa).
• Define, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Manage NCRs through to closure in a timely manner.
Documentation & Reporting
• Create, review, and maintain quality documentation including Quality Plans, ITPs, SOPs, inspection sheets, and controlled records.
• Prepare customer documentation packs and contractual deliverables.
• Develop and report KPIs, Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), audit outcomes, and management review inputs using industry-standard quality tools.
Continuous Improvement
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives across current and future contracts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to implement sustainable solutions to quality and process issues.
• Promote a strong quality culture focused on prevention and continuous improvement.
Leadership & People Management
• Provide day-to-day leadership of Quality activities within the assigned value stream.
• Line manage and develop a team of Quality Engineers and related professionals (typically 3–5).
• Plan and allocate resources, manage workload priorities, and resolve conflicts.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team capability and performance.
• Promote high standards, accountability, and behaviours aligned with organisational values.
• Report quality performance, risks, and issues to the Quality Manager and senior leadership.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential
• Experience working within an ISO 9001:2015 (or equivalent) Quality Management System.
• HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline (or equivalent industry experience).
• Experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Quality Engineering roles.
• Lead Auditor qualification to ISO 9001:2015 (or equivalent).
• Strong root cause analysis and CAPA experience.
• Ability to interpret complex mechanical drawings and GD&T.
• Experience with precision, high-tolerance components (metric and imperial).
• Strong communication skills when working with customers and suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality reporting tools.
Desirable
• Experience within defence, marine, or other highly regulated engineering environments.
• Knowledge of AQAP, DEFSTAN, Lloyd's Rules, and other defence standards.
• Familiarity with gearbox systems, machined components, castings, fabrications, and assemblies.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, heat treatment, welding, NDE, metallurgy, and testing.
• Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, and FMEA methodologies.
Behavioural & Interpersonal Competencies
• Strong leadership and influencing capability.
• Collaborative and customer-focused approach.
• Logical, data-driven decision-making style.
• Resilient, self-motivated, and adaptable to change.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Additional Information
• Budget Responsibility: None
• Security Clearance: Security clearance and export control restrictions apply
• Eligibility: Must meet Right to Work in the UK requirements
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