Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Location: Bolton or Stevenage (2 days per week onsite + supplier travel).

Duration: 6 month initial contract.

Inside IR35.

Our client, a prominent defence organisation, is strengthening its Quality Division and has opportunities for Quality Assurance Engineers to join their Supply Chain team on a contract basis.

This role will be based in either Stevenage or Bolton, with the flexibility of hybrid working and travel to UK supplier sites.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct supplier quality audits / surveillance activities to drive future process control.
• Carry out inspection / verification activities to support the delivery of conforming production hardware.
• Ensure adherence to customer and supplier requirements.
• Complete scheduled Quality Assurance audits at suppliers using standardised tools.
• Conduct thorough verification and inspection of products to ensure they meet the required quality standards.
• Identify and document any non-conformities in the manufacturing process and deviations from the product specifications.
• Maintain accurate and organised records of all quality control activities.
• Communicate findings to relevant departments and work cross-functionally to implement root cause corrective actions at suppliers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the quality of products.
• Participate in the Project Quality network to report and share the quality assurance status linked to applicable suppliers.
• Provide non-conformance, root cause, and corrective action data analysis and summary reports to senior stakeholders.

What We’re Looking for from You

• Trained auditor to AS9100 standards is essential.
• Experience in conducting Quality Audits and surveillance.
• Quality experience in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Electronic Engineering.
• Proven track record in Quality, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing.
• Experience in the Defence, Automotive, or Aerospace industry is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with GD&T and ability to use a variety of metrology equipment (where applicable).
• Practitioner of current QA problem-solving and improvement methods (8D, RCA, DMAIC, etc.).
• Strong analytical skills, ability to run reports in Excel, use SAP QM system, and document management tools.
• Continuous improvement awareness and ability to use own initiative to deliver improvements.
• Experience with NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is desirable.
• Good planning and organising skills to ensure multiple tasks are prioritised and monitored to deliver set objectives.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• Recognise and understand regulatory and certification requirements, and respond to them.

This role also includes opportunities for significant professional growth within the supply chain quality team.

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