Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Salary: £50,000 - 50,000 per year

• Engineer with supply chain or manufacturing experience (ideally in defence, automotive or aerospace)
• Quality professional experienced in process-based integrated management systems and business improvement within engineering, manufacturing, or supply chain environments
• Strong NPI and product development experience
• APQP/PPAP or similar experience utilizing product development frameworks
• Ability to review and influence DFMEA/PFMEA
• Understanding of product validation life cycles
• Experienced in conducting quality audits and surveillance
• Familiarity with change control processes
• Experienced in supplier quality tools and processes
• Experience with quality management systems, techniques, and processes
• Demonstrates supplier quality management skills
• Demonstrates strong cross-functional and soft skills
• Comfortable with travel to supplier sites
• Special process knowledge
• Experience in first article inspection requirements - AS9102
• Knowledge of key external standards - EN/AS9100
• Experienced in quality tools and techniques (8D, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Kaizen)
• Strong experience in non-conformance management and leadership of quality investigations
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good planning and organizing skills to ensure multiple tasks are prioritized and monitored to deliver set objectives
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels of the organization
• Recognize and understand regulatory and certification requirements, and respond to them
• Ideally qualified to at least HND or HNC level

• Develop and implement the supplier quality strategy
• Establish and maintain supplier quality requirements
• Assure the evolution of the suppliers product and processes
• Conduct proactive supplier quality surveillance throughout the full lifecycle of the programme
• Support the identification and reduction of project risk or problem areas/issues associated with process application, effectiveness, and compliance across the supply chain
• Interface with applicable suppliers supporting the program from a quality perspective
• Utilize experience by deploying the latest quality tools and techniques internationally

• Support
• Security

We are MBDA, a leading defence organization proud to support the Armed Forces that protect our nations. We offer a dynamic hybrid working environment, with competitive salary and benefits including a company bonus, robust pension plan, flexible leave, healthcare cash plan, and enhanced parental leave. Our established team values personal and professional development, promoting a culture of inclusivity and supporting various employee-led networks.

We encourage diverse applicants to join us in our mission to defend our freedom.

last updated 25 week of 2026