Quality Engineer

Position: Quality Engineer (Permanent)
Quality Engineer
📍

Location:

Bearsted
💰 Salary: £40,000 per annum
🕒 Full-Time | Permanent
Are you an experienced Quality Engineer with a strong background in injection moulding and manufacturing excellence? We are looking for a driven and detail-oriented professional to lead quality assurance, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of quality systems, customer complaints, process improvement, and supplier quality while working closely with technical and production teams.
🏭 Quality, Process & Product Assurance

* Ensure moulded components meet dimensional, visual, functional and compliance requirements

* Lead control plans, in-process inspections, gauge validation and sampling strategies

* Manage PPAP/FAIR submissions and sign-off for new or modified tooling

* Conduct capability studies (Cp/Cpk), SPC and Gage R&R

* Support and implement PFMEA and risk mitigation activities
🛠 Tooling & Injection Moulding Control

* Support validation and maintenance of mould tools

* Investigate and resolve moulding defects (flash, sink, splay, burn marks, short shots, warpage, weld lines, contamination)
📊 Non-Conformance, CAPA & NCR Leadership

* Raise, track and close NCRs

* Lead root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa)

* Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

* Manage quarantine processes, concessions, deviations and rework plans
📈 Continuous Improvement & Production Support

* Provide hands-on quality support across moulding and assembly operations

* Apply Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma tools to reduce scrap, waste and downtime

* Improve FPY, OEE and cost of quality

* Drive shop-floor engagement (5S, visual standards, layered audits)
👥 Customer & Supplier Quality

* Own the customer complaints process from receipt to closure

* Prepare structured customer response reports

* Support supplier audits, evaluations and corrective actions

* Ensure traceability, batch control and material validation
📋 QMS, Compliance & Auditing

* Maintain and improve Quality Management Systems

* Lead and support internal and external audits

* Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and customer requirements

* Support ISO and environmental standards
✅ Essential
HNC/D or Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Plastics, Materials or related discipline
Proven experience within an injection moulding manufacturing environment
Strong knowledge of QMS aligned to ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015

Experience with assembly and testing of electro-mechanical components
Proficient in root cause analysis tools (8D, A3, DMAIC)
Experience using ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP) for traceability and material control
Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, SMED, JIT)
Ability to read technical drawings and interpret GD&T
Strong communication and leadership skills
⭐ Desirable

Experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, FAIR
Knowledge of SPC, Cp/Cpk and Gage R&R
Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent)
Experience supporting internal/external audits
Understanding of regulatory standards such as RoHS, REACH, CE
🎯 What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a proactive Quality Engineer who:
Thrives in a hands-on manufacturing environment
Is passionate about continuous improvement
Takes ownership of quality performance and customer satisfaction
Can confidently work cross-functionally with production, suppliers and customers