Principal, Quality Engineering in Bridgwater, Somerset

Company Description: About Assystem. At Assystem, our mission is to accelerate the energy transition worldwide. With over 55 years of expertise in highly regulated sectors, our 7,500 Switchers globally deliver cutting-edge engineering and project management solutions. Join us and be part of one of the top three nuclear engineering companies in the world!

Why Join the Community of Switchers? As a member of Assystem, you'll be part of a team driving the low-carbon energy future. We're ranked second globally in nuclear engineering, offering you the chance to work on world-class projects like Hinkley Point C. Together, we'll innovate and shape tomorrow's energy solutions.

Job Purpose: The Senior Principal Quality Engineer (SPQE) is responsible for supporting Client Projects normally operating within Matrix Multi Discipline Teams (MDTs) by the provision of quality assurance, management and control services. Their primary purpose is to provide evidence of the Client and supply-chain adherence to the contracted quality requirements within their respective Client Programmes and Projects. Their secondary purpose is to support Client Programmes in achieving adherence with the Project-wide quality arrangements, as well as ensuring that appropriate project-specific quality arrangements are established, as required. This includes ensuring the implementation of quality for all activities within the scope of the programme, such as Manufacturing Inspection and Test (MIT) Plans, Life-time Quality Records, and Root Cause Analysis. This could be on Client Sites or at Sub-contractors base within the UK and overseas. The post holder will work in close collaboration with all other project functions and the supply-chain to ensure that project quality is delivered consistently, safely, efficiently, and right first time, while respecting Nuclear Safety as paramount at all times.

The PQE will lead project direction from a quality perspective, with the ability, as required by the client, to act as the Intelligent Customer Dimensions (Contextual Information) dependent upon Client requirements. As an embedded member of the Programme/Project, the PQE will provide leadership and support on the application of specific quality activities within projects/contracts as directed by their client line manager to ensure both consistency and compliance; defining quality arrangements specifically for the safe, efficient, and right first time delivery of the project activities undertaken by the MDT from inception through to operational handover, including for example, Life Time Quality Records (LTQR). Responsibilities include approving Project Quality Plans and MIT Plans in a consistent manner, directing and where required undertaking surveillance/inspection activities (Client Sites/Sub-contractor facilities), providing guidance on acceptability criteria, ensuring data capture and analysis of quality metrics, overseeing the non-conformance process, contributing to planning, and leading work stream and cross-project audits as required.

Principal Accountabilities: The Senior Principal Quality Engineer is accountable to the Client for the following:

• Delivery of the day-to-day quality management activities requested by the Client, in line with the general directions given by the Client's Quality Director as defined in personal objectives or Task Orders.
• Leads quality records reviews and checks to enable quality oversight and assurance that quality is delivered by the supply-chain and the MDT, efficiently and in accordance with specified requirements.
• Participates as required in the production/review of the Programme Quality Delivery Arrangements Plan and specific MIT plans.
• Participates in oversight of the review and acceptance of Quality Plans/Inspection & Test Plans provided by the supply-chain.
• Supports the Client by taking the lead on establishing effective Quality Assurance, Manufacturing/Site Surveillance programmes/plans that enable coverage of identified risks.
• Ensures that appropriate controls are established with respect to the provision of Quality Records or 'End of Reports' by sub-contractors.
• Supports the effective close out of non-conformances (including Root Cause Analysis) through the engagement of subject matter experts as well as the application of project-wide preventative action.
• Supports Quality Auditors (Client and Sub-contractor based) in the prompt resolution of audit findings within the supply-chain and the MDT.
• Ensures effective participation in Programme and Project risk & opportunity reviews including lessons learnt reviews by the Client.
• Participates in and where appropriate leads investigations related to quality issues.
• Provides leadership in the provision of regular quality reports on the delivery of quality (Product & Process) by the supply chain and the MDT; root cause/repeat events supply chain capability/readiness and performance; quality records RFT, backlog etc.

Qualifications Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years post academic experience.
• Experience in large/complicated project environment, preferably in the nuclear (or heavily regulated) sector, with significant focus on Product/project quality role, and with specific engineering discipline knowledge.
• Minimum of 10 years experience working in the Nuclear Sector.
• Dynamic individual who is a team leader as well as a team player with a solid understanding of quality assurance and control principles, and process management in projects.
• Experience engaging with Regulator(s) on technical quality issues.
• Experience planning and leading Internal and Supplier Audits.
• Ability to carry out unsupervised inspections to appropriate standards e.g. pressurised systems.
• Experience in the review of Quality Records (e.g. CFSI).
• Minimum 8 years experience in managing people/leads teams.
• Experience in the analysis of quality data at various levels across the business.
• Experience in the application of Quality basic and advanced tools & techniques.
• Fluent in verbal and written English language, preferably with some French or second language skills.
• Member/Fellow Grade Member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and a Chartered Quality Practitioner.
• Qualified to (preferably engineering) HNC/Diploma/C&G Graduate level as a minimum.
• Formally recognised qualification in Quality, e.g., Diploma or Advanced diploma in Quality.
• Qualified to Degree/Master Degree in a Quality Related Subject.
• Formal Management Training e.g. NEBOSH Certificate/Diploma (Role Specific).
• CSWIP 3.2 Senior Welding Inspector (Role Specific).
• Internationally recognised NDT Qualifications in Radiography.

Additional Information: Why Join Us? Work on a landmark project, international exposure and collaboration, influence quality strategy at scale, high-impact role within a global supply chain, opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.

Benefits include:

• Market Leading Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution).
• 25 days' paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days.
• Professional fees reimbursed.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Competitive Sick Pay – Support when you need it.
• Income Protection & 3x Salary Death-in-Service Cover.
• Free Digital Gym Access – Expert-led fitness classes.
• 24/7 Employee Support Line – Mental health, financial & legal help.

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. Skills, talent, and our people's ability to dare are the only things that matter! Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.