Senior Project Quality Engineer in Saffron Walden

Artifex Interior Systems is pleased to confirm the below opportunity within our business. We are open to applicants looking for permanent, FTC or contract models of employment. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our Business Development and R&D team at a key moment, as we drive new business, growth, and diversification under Tata AutoComp's strategic direction. As we enter an exciting expansion phase, you'll gain hands-on exposure to commercial activities within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. Guided by our commitment to build tomorrow's interior solutions today, we pride ourselves on living our values of Unity, Integrity, Responsibility, Pioneering and Excellence – and we're looking for motivated individuals ready to help shape our future.

Main purpose of the job

Provide quality leadership in the pre-nomination phase, supporting Advanced Engineering activities from early concept through Proof of Concept and design maturation. Own and deploy the project quality strategy to ensure customer requirements, internal standards, and regulatory expectations are embedded before nomination and launch commitment. Act as the quality authority within Advanced Engineering, influencing architecture, concept selection, and risk mitigation to enable a robust, right first time handover to the programme launch and industrialisation teams. Champion disciplined, data driven decision making and behaviours aligned to Artifex values.

Main missions and results

• Lead quality planning during pre-nomination phase.
• Define the project quality approach from initial concept through to handover readiness.
• Establish quality objectives, timing plans, and evidence expectations appropriate for RFQ responses, feasibility assessments, and early customer engagement.
• Support Proof of Concept activities by defining quality acceptance criteria, test strategies, and evidence requirements.
• Ensure technical and quality assumptions are validated early, and that concept decisions are supported by objective data.
• Facilitate cross functional Foundation FMEA and early Design FMEA activities in line with AIAG VDA principles. Ensure risks are systematically identified, ranked, and mitigated, with clear traceability into concept choices, design actions, and future development plans.
• Embed Design for Quality thinking in concept and architecture; chair concept and prototype quality reviews, ensuring Design for Quality (DfQ), Design for Manufacture, and Design for Assembly considerations are embedded before design freeze.
• Establish early measurement concepts, test methods, and validation approaches suitable for Advanced Engineering maturity. Guide analytical studies, DOE, and learning loops to characterise technical limits, sensitivities, and potential failure modes.
• Maintain visibility of open risks and ensure disciplined closure prior to project handover to Programme Launch team.
• Prepare quality inputs for RFQ and nomination reviews.
• Ensure robust handover to launch and industrialisation teams. Lead the structured transition of quality knowledge, risks, and assumptions into the launch organisation.
• Ensure D/PFMEA intent, key characteristics, control concepts, and open concerns are clearly documented and understood, enabling uninterrupted progression into APQP and industrialisation.
• Develop capability in core quality tools, customer requirements, and best practice Advanced Engineering quality methods.
• Capture lessons learned from concept development and Proof of Concept activities. Standardise approaches and feed learning into future Advanced Engineering projects to continuously improve front end quality effectiveness.

Preferred skills and experience

• Degree/HND/HNC/IQA or equivalent in an engineering discipline desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt (or equivalent CI credentials) desirable.
• Advanced practitioner of AIAG–VDA FMEA with demonstrable leadership of cross-functional D/PFMEA; APIS IQ power user for FMEA and Control Plan governance.
• Deep working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC, DOE, Control Plan creation/auditing, and evidence management.
• Solid understanding of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001; internal auditor certification preferred.
• Proven Tier-1 automotive quality engineering experience required, leading complex projects (plastics and/or complex assemblies advantageous).
• OEM exposure (e.g., Jaguar Land Rover) and confidence interfacing directly with customer quality.
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams and influencing without authority; able to interpret customer/business risks and recommend best practice solutions.
• Strong programme/project discipline: planning, risk management, gateways, and decision-quality reporting.
• Clear, respectful communicator who can simplify complex concepts, negotiate trade-offs, and build consensus across engineering, operations, and suppliers.

Note: this is not an exhaustive list. All employees are expected to show flexibility and continued self-development to meet the ever-changing needs of the business. All job descriptions / vacancy notices will be subject to continual development.

Internal closing date: Tuesday, 27th January 2026. Please note if you apply after this date that you may still be progressed, but depending on the volume of applications we are unable to guarantee the ability to accommodate.

Artifex Interior Systems Limited is an equal opportunities employer and committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to creating an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all our staff are recognised.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV with your contact details. If this job isn't quite what you are looking for but you are looking for a new position within Automotive, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.