Lead Quality Engineer

Build, Shape and Lead the Future of Quality

Are you an experienced Aerospace Quality Engineer looking for the opportunity to make your mark? This is a rare chance to join a growing advanced manufacturing business in a standalone quality role, taking ownership of the entire quality function while laying the foundations for a future Quality Department that you will have the opportunity to build and lead.

Working at the forefront of aerospace and defence manufacturing, you will be the organisation's quality expert, driving compliance, improving processes, and ensuring products consistently meet the highest industry standards. This is a hands-on role where you'll be equally comfortable on the shop floor, engaging with customers, leading audits, and influencing business-wide quality strategy.

If you're looking for a position where you can genuinely shape the future of quality within an ambitious engineering business, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

As Lead Quality Engineer, you will take full ownership of the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with aerospace quality requirements while supporting business growth and continuous improvement initiatives.

Initially operating as a standalone function, you will have the autonomy to develop quality processes, introduce best practices, and ultimately build and manage a dedicated quality team as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the site's lead quality professional and subject matter expert for all aerospace quality matters.
• Maintain and develop the Quality Management System in accordance with AS9100 and ISO9001 standards.
• Lead customer, supplier and certification audits, ensuring ongoing compliance and successful outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing, inspection and operational processes.
• Conduct and oversee product inspection activities, validation processes, and quality documentation.
• Manage First Article Inspections (FAIRs) in accordance with AS9102 requirements.
• Lead non-conformance investigations, root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Work closely with engineering and production teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
• Develop inspection plans and quality control methodologies aligned with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Support supplier quality activities and drive quality improvements throughout the supply chain.
• Provide quality leadership during product transfers and international manufacturing projects.
• Develop future quality resource plans and play a key role in building and leading a quality team.

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a Quality Engineer, Senior Quality Engineer or Quality Manager position within the aerospace sector.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001 and aerospace regulatory requirements.
• Experience of managing and maintaining quality management systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on inspection experience with the ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
• Strong understanding of First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs), AS9102 and aerospace documentation requirements.
• Experience leading internal, customer and external certification audits.
• Demonstrable expertise in root cause analysis, problem solving and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the business and drive positive quality culture.

Desirable Experience

• Composite manufacturing or advanced materials experience.
• Knowledge of aerospace defence programmes and customer approval processes.
• Experience of supplier quality management.
• Exposure to advanced metrology, CMMs or 3D scanning technologies.
• Previous experience building or developing a quality function or team.

What's on Offer?

• The opportunity to own and shape the entire quality function.
• Clear progression into Quality Manager and future departmental leadership.
• High levels of autonomy and influence across the business.
• Exposure to exciting aerospace and defence projects.
• A collaborative engineering environment where your expertise will directly impact business performance and customer satisfaction.

Why Apply?

This isn't just another Quality Engineer position. It's an opportunity to become the driving force behind quality within a growing aerospace manufacturing business. You'll combine hands-on engineering expertise with strategic leadership, creating the framework for a quality department that you will have the opportunity to build and lead as the company grows.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.

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