Scope of the Function
We are looking for a Quality Engineer, based at HPW and reporting to the Value Stream Manager.
Job Title: Quality Engineer
Location: Melksham, UK
Business Unit: Avon Protection
The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring robust and compliant quality performance across the underwater production line and associated products. The role drives improvements in quality, safety, delivery, inventory, and productivity, while providing technical guidance in quality engineering, process control, and new product introduction. This position is pivotal to strengthening in-process quality and supporting the continued growth of the Electronics Value Stream and the underwater product range.
Key Responsibilities
- Production & Process Quality
- Lead all quality activities for the underwater product range, ensuring adherence to internal and customer requirements.
- Review and audit production processes, controls, and documentation; identify improvement opportunities and drive corrective actions.
- Maintain and update quality documents including SOPs, Control Plans, and Visual Standards.
- Conduct patrol, final, and document audits (CoCs, test certificates, data sheets).
- New Product Introduction / APQP
- Lead or support NPI and APQP activities across new or modified products.
- Drive PFMEA, Control Plan creation, and validation activities with Engineering and Manufacturing.
- Provide expertise in APQP methodologies and quality metrics.
- Electronics Quality & Design Support
- Participate in electronics design reviews, contributing DFMEA inputs and identifying design related risks early.
- Support PCBA and component investigation activities (fault isolation, schematic review, component failure modes).
- Ensure electronics design and component changes follow robust change control and qualification processes (incl. traceability).
- Supplier Quality & Incoming Inspection
- Perform incoming goods audits based on criticality and risk.
- Partner with the Supplier Quality Engineer to assess suppliers, reviewing component data, specifications, and compliance documentation.
- Support qualification of new suppliers and components, including PPAP-level deliverables when applicable.
- Problem Solving & Improvement
- Lead structured root cause investigations using 5 Whys and 8D.
- Drive process improvement activities and promote a continuous improvement culture across operations and supply chain.
- Support reduction in scrap, rework, warranty, and customer complaints in alignment with business objectives.
- Testing, Validation & Data Analysis
- Plan and execute DOE studies to define optimal process parameters and validate design improvements.
- Support functional, environmental, and reliability testing programs.
- Analyse process capability and statistical trends; implement SPC methods and data driven decision making.
- Compliance & Regulatory
- Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 and internal quality system requirements.
- Support compliance activities related to electronics and mechanical assemblies (RoHS, REACH, traceability where applicable).
- Maintain control of quality records, inspection evidence, and product certification documentation.
- Cross Functional Support
- Provide technical support to resolve customer, supplier, and internal quality issues.
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, and supply chain to reduce risks, eliminate defects and improve processes.
- Ensure adherence to the change control process across product and process.
Background and Skills
Technical Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or manufacturing engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 5+ years of experience in quality engineering or related technical roles.
- Experience in electronics manufacturing (IPC-A-610 / IPC-A-620 beneficial).
- Understanding of underwater or respiratory systems (beneficial).
- ISO 9001 experience; Lead Auditor certification beneficial.
Core Competencies
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, electronic schematics, and technical specifications.
- Strong root cause analysis and problem solving capability (5 Why, 8D, Fishbone).
- Skilled in process control tools, data analysis, and statistical methods.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Power Automate, and Visio (beneficial).
- Strong communication, presentation, and cross functional collaboration skills.
- Knowledge of PCBA failure modes, component reliability, and electrical troubleshooting.
- Ability to contribute to DFMEAs and design risk assessments.
- Understanding of CE, RoHS, REACH, product safety standards, and traceability requirements.
- Experience with Kaizen, Lean principles, and continuous improvement.
- DOE capability — able to design, conduct, and analyse experiments.
- Test method validation and product verification experience.
Required Training
- Six Sigma or SPC training (Green Belt beneficial).
- DOE training and practical application experience.
- Functional, environmental, and reliability testing exposure.
This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserve the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.
About Avon Technologies
We design and produce life-critical personal protection solutions for the world’s militaries and first responders. With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (“CBRN”), protection. We do this through our two brands, Avon Technologies and Team Wendy. Our mission is to provide unparalleled protection for those who protect us, giving them the confidence to tackle challenging situations and helping them get home safe. At Avon Protection, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values - fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute.
The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Melksham, UK is £40,000 to £45,000 annually.
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