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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

improvement: identify and drive improvements in manufacturing processes, inspection…