Quality Engineer

International recruitment & hr experts across the plastics, packaging, speciality chemicals, life sciences, biopolymer, food additives & ingredients, energy and recycling sectors since 1975.

Quality engineer

Based in buckinghamshire

Job  /65299

Reporting to the quality manager, the quality engineer / inspector ensures that prototype and low-volume parts manufactured and sourced by the client meet all drawing, specification and customer requirements. The role combines hands-on inspection and metrology with engineering-level ownership of nonconformity investigation, supplier and customer quality, and quality-management-system activities. The post holder’s sign-off releases product to the customer.

Key responsibilities by area:

Inspection & metrology

Inspection: perform dimensional and visual inspection of prototype and low-volume parts – 3d-printed (polymer and metal), vacuum-cast, cnc-machined, injection-moulded, sheet-metal and die-cast components.

Measurement: use hand tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin/thread gauges) and advanced systems (cmm, 3d scanning, where available), selecting the right method for each feature and tolerance.

Conformity: verify parts against customer drawings, gd&t, specifications, tolerances and cosmetic / surface-finish standards; release or quarantine product accordingly.

Reporting: prepare measurement and inspection reports, first article inspection (fai / as9102 fair), ppap elements where required, and certificates of conformity.

Calibration: own the metrology equipment calibration register; schedule internal and external calibration, check equipment status and manage out-of-calibration impact assessments.

Measurement capability: support gauge r&r / msa, cmm programming and inspection-method development.

Quality management system (qms)

Documentation: create, update and control qms procedures, work instructions, forms and records in line with iso 9001 and as9100.

Audits: support the internal audit programme and external certification / customer audits; follow up findings to closure.

Capa: log and manage nonconformities, corrective and preventive actions through to verified closure.

Data & kpis: maintain quality records and trend ncrs, root causes, first-pass yield and customer complaints; report results to the quality manager.

Compliance: ensure traceability, material certification and record retention meet customer and as9100 requirements.

Nonconformance & problem solving:

Investigation: lead investigations of internal, supplier and customer nonconformities using 8d, 5 why and ishikawa.

Containment & disposition: define containment, segregate suspect product and coordinate mrb / disposition decisions (rework, concession, scrap).

Root cause: identify root causes with production and engineering and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.

Supplier quality

Source inspection: carry out quality checks and source inspections at external suppliers (uk and occasionally europe).

Qualification:

support supplier qualification, evaluation and periodic performance review.

Supplier corrective actions: raise scars, review supplier 8d responses and follow up to closure.

Incoming inspection: define and perform goods-in inspection for sourced parts.

Customer quality

Interface: act as the professional quality contact for customers across aerospace, medical, motor sport, industrial and consumer sectors.

Requirements: review customer quality requirements and flow-downs (drawings, specifications, po clauses) at quotation and order stage.

Claims: manage customer complaints, claims and corrective-action requests, providing clear written responses and technical support.

Continuous improvement & ehs

Improvement: identify and drive improvements in manufacturing processes, inspection methods…