NPI Lead Quality Engineer

Position Summary Magellan Aerospace, has an exciting opportunity for a NPI Lead Quality Engineer. Full time, permanent position 39 hours per week

Job location:

Llay, Wrexham, LL12 0PB
. Unionised site – works in partnership with Unite the Union.

The NPI Lead Quality Engineer is responsible for leading and governing all quality activities in alignment with the Airbus Work Transfer (WT) / Gated Work Transfer Process for new and transferred work packages involving machined aluminium structural aerospace components. This role ensures quality, compliance, risk mitigation, and process capability are achieved at each gate from initial industrialisation through serial production and sustained operational handover.

The NPI Lead Quality Engineer leads a team of NPI Quality Engineers and acts as the primary quality interface with Airbus and internal senior stakeholders. The position operates within a multi-functional team (MFT/IPT) environment, working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrialisation, Supply Chain, Programs, and Operations to meet Airbus quality, maturity, and readiness requirements.

Perks and Benefits A company culture that promotes work life balance

Access to mental health support

Business performance related bonus

Career development opportunities

Commitment to continued learning and development

Long Service Awards Enhanced Holiday Entitlement based on length of service

Free parking
25% off local gym membership

Essential Responsibilities Quality Strategy & Industrialisation Leadership Define and deploy NPI quality strategy aligned to Airbus WT, AS9145/APQP, and internal quality systems. Ensure quality deliverables are clearly defined, resourced, and achieved at each WT gate. Govern industrial maturity assessments (process capability, inspection readiness, risk status). Ensure Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) progression is supported by robust quality evidence.

Airbus Work Transfer (WT) & Gate Governance Own quality readiness and approval for Airbus WT gate progression. Represent Quality in gate reviews, escalation forums, and recovery planning. Ensure objective evidence supports gate exit decisions and risk acceptance.

Machining Quality - Aluminium Structural Parts Provide technical leadership and oversight for CNC machining of aluminium structural components, including thin-wall and monolithic structures. Ensure effective deployment of; PFMEA, Control Plans, and Process Flow Diagrams Critial characteristics, GD&T requirements Inspection strategies (CMM, scanning, in-process inspection) Ensure machining processes comply with Airbus and AIPI standards

First Article & Validation Governance Define and approve FAI strategy in accordance with EN/AS9102 and Airbus requirements. Ensure right-first-time FAI performance and robust validation prior to serial release. Ensure completion of gate-required validation including;
Dimensional conformity Material and special process validation Documentation Completeness Supplier & Work Transfer Quality Management Govern quality readiness of internal and external suppliers involved in work transfer. Ensure supplier quality deliverables (FAI, capability data, control plans) meet Airbus WT requirements. Partner with Supplier Quality to mitigate risks associated with new or transferred suppliers.

Risk Management & Non-conformance Resolution Own quality risk registers for NPI and work transfer programs. Lead escalation and resolution of quality risks impacting cost, schedule, or compliance. Ensure robust root cause analysis and corrective actions are implemented using 8D/RCCA. Ensure effective containment and corrective action prior to serial production release.

Compliance & Audit Support Ensure compliance with; AS9100/EN9100 Airbus customer requirements Internal quality procedures Act as quality lead for Airbus, internal, and regulatory audits related to NPI and work transfer. Ensure maintenance of accurate, auditable quality records supporting gate decisions.

Continuous Improvement & Lessons Learned Capture and deploy lessons learned from Airbus WT programs into standard NPI processes. Sponsor continuous improvement initiatives focused on;
Defect prevention…