Supplier Quality Engineer - Defence

Supplier Quality Engineer - Defence Sector

A Supplier Quality Engineer is needed for an established supplier of engineering solutions for the defence sector. The company specialises in the design, manufacture and support of control systems and power systems for defence platforms within safety‑critical and harsh‑environment domains.

The Supplier Quality Engineer is a self‑starter who will take complete ownership of all aspects of supplier quality and have quality assurance experience in the defence, aerospace or automotive manufacturing industry, or similar engineering environments.

Qualities required include a hands‑on approach to supporting project teams by ensuring key suppliers deliver critical parts on time, in full and to the required quality.

• Communicate and ensure suppliers understand, acknowledge and adhere to contract‑specific requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, recording and analysing performance data.
• Ensure suppliers abide by flowed‑down requirements and propagate them into their supply chain.
• Conduct internal audits, quality investigations and raise non‑conformances.
• Utilise 5‑Why, 8D investigations, creating reports or other necessary quality‑related documents.
• Support general and quality‑related improvements across the business, supporting production and test departments.
• Ensure critical parts are delivered on time, in full and to the required quality.
• Track progress of orders and manage suppliers to ensure on‑time delivery schedules.
• Identify and mitigate supply‑chain risks, minimising delays and bringing supplier production back on schedule.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to agreed processes, procedures and controls.
• Undertake gate inspections, process witnessing and first‑article inspections (FAI).
• Carry out new supplier assessments, quality audits and maintain supplier accreditation records.
• Develop supplier KPIs and metrics to monitor performance, quality and drive improvements.
• Undertake failure analysis, conducting root‑cause analysis (RCA) using tools such as 5‑Why, 8D, Ishikawa.
• Support the QM across a range of quality, health, safety and environmental matters.
• Assist with improvement of internal inspection processes for supplier goods.
• Identify weaknesses in systems and processes and propose improvements.

• Quality assurance experience in defence, aerospace or automotive manufacturing, or a similar environment.
• Knowledge of ISO
  9001/AS9100 Rev D and experience as a supplier or internal auditor (advantage).
• Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
• Familiarity with machining and manufacturing practices; PFMEA experience advantageous.
• Knowledge of both destructive and non‑destructive inspection techniques.
• Knowledge of lean methodologies, 5S, Six Sigma, etc.; recognised qualification in quality management preferred.
• A degree or HND in an engineering discipline or quality management.
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis/reporting.
• Hands‑on skills from low‑volume electro‑mechanical production (advantage).
• Ability to interpret engineering and electrical drawings, GT&D.
• Knowledge of defence and technical standards and requirements.
• Creative decision‑making and proactive improvement initiatives.
• Self‑starter with effective time management and autonomy.

Candidates must be British Nationals as full UK Security Clearance (SC) may be required.

Demand for this role will be high, and interviews will be arranged very soon. If you have the right experience and wish to be considered, please apply today. For questions about the Supplier Quality Engineer role, contact Peter Heap at Jonathan Lee Recruitment on or email

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 (postcode, town or county) are included.