Manufacturing Quality Engineer

Manufacturing Quality Engineer Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd | Cambourne | Full-Time | Permanent Are you an experienced Quality Engineer who thrives on solving complex manufacturing challenges and driving continuous improvement? At Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd, we are passionate about delivering world-class electron microscopy solutions that meet the exceptional standards associated with the ZEISS brand. We are looking for a proactive and highly motivated Manufacturing Quality Engineer to join our team in Cambourne and play a key role in supporting product quality, supplier performance, and manufacturing excellence.

About the Role Working within a small, collaborative quality team, you will be the first point of contact for quality-related issues within production, helping to ensure that incoming materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products consistently meet the highest standards. This is a varied and hands-on position, requiring a structured and disciplined approach to problem solving, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Act as the primary quality support contact on the factory floor for production-related quality issues.
• Investigate non-conformities and lead corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D.
• Develop, implement, and improve quality standards and manufacturing processes.
• Inspect and evaluate materials, equipment, processes, and products to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify recurring quality concerns and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyse rejected components, repair data, and supplier feedback to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Raise and manage supplier quality complaints and support supplier performance improvement activities.
• Work closely with Supplier Development and Engineering teams to address quality non-conformities.
• Participate in internal and supplier audits, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support Customer Perfect Order (CPO) initiatives and quality improvement projects.

Essential Experience & Skills Significant experience within a Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Assurance role. Strong understanding of quality improvement methodologies including CAPA, PDCA, Root Cause Analysis, and structured problem-solving techniques. Experience working within a manufacturing or engineering environment. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineering documentation. Strong communication skills, able to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Experience using Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools. A proactive, self-motivated approach with a continuous improvement mindset.

• Knowledge of SAP and Power BI.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements.
• Experience with in high-precision manufacturing, instrumentation, medical devices, scientific equipment, or advanced engineering environments.
• Exposure to lean manufacturing principles.
• Knowledge of electronics, electro-mechanical assembly, cleanroom environments, vacuum technology, or microscopy products.

You will join a specialist team focused on maintaining and improving quality standards across the manufacturing operation, working closely with Quality Engineers, Supplier Development specialists, Production, and Engineering teams.

ZEISS is a global technology leader renowned for innovation, precision, and quality. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge microscopy products while contributing directly to manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement initiatives. If you are passionate about quality, enjoy solving technical challenges, and want to make a real impact within a world-class engineering environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.