Quality Engineer in Coventry

Caudwell Marine (CM) is a start‑up business backed by the billionaire and philanthropist John Caudwell and is developing an innovative, patented outboard motor for launch into key markets and sectors. The CM organisation is a small, experienced team of people who are passionate about successfully bringing this technologically leading outboard motor to market. Each team member has a ‘hands on’ approach and supports each other for the benefit of the programme. Quality is a pivotal role within the organization, responsible for ensuring that every outboard motor manufactured meets the highest standards of performance, reliability, and safety. This position combines technical expertise with leadership skills to drive a culture of quality excellence across the entire product lifecycle – from design and development through production and in‑market support.

As a Quality Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring robust quality across products and processes. You will lead assigned supplier commodities through launch and into serial production, resolving issues, managing part introductions, and overseeing day‑to‑day operations. Internally, you will champion quality initiatives, driving continuous improvement and embedding best practices across design, procurement, manufacturing, and production – ensuring reliability, compliance, and excellence throughout the lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Review, approve and implement Engineering Change Notifications (ECN) & Process Change Notifications (PCN) ensuring quality requirements are captured to support manufacturing processes with appropriate costs.
• Lead assigned supplier commodities to safe launch of supplier change content, ensuring PPAP processes provide compliant product & documentation prior to shipment to CM.
• Lead quality issues – Review and progress issues using industry standard tools such as 8D/Practical Problem solving.
• Complete supplier audits for assigned business critical commodities according to assigned due dates – ensuring proactive quality reviews to safeguard defect free part supply.
• Support initiatives to reduce defects, improve yield, and enhance customer satisfaction using industry recognised quality tools.
• Participate in cost-of-quality analysis and implement strategies to reduce scrap, rework, and warranty claims.
• Ensure compliance with business processes, ISO standards and marine industry regulations both internally & with suppliers.
• Self-manage personal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), tracking quality performance within the supply chain/internal processes.
• Drive supplier development programs to improve component quality and delivery performance.
• Collaborate effectively cross functionally, ensuring the voice of quality is consistent while supporting business objectives.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organization.

Previous Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in Supplier Quality Assurance/Supplier Development/Quality in an Engineering or Manufacturing environment.
• Longer experience will be valued, as will demonstratable experience of managing Supplier Quality / Quality with powertrain suppliers.
• At least 2 years in a ‘blue chip’ manufacturing / engineering organisation where ‘automotive level’ quality, procurement and supply chain processes have been demonstrated.
• Solid experience of quality tools/systems (PPAP, APQP, 8D/Problem solving, Auditing) with extensive real‑world application.
• Ideally has also worked in a Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) and is able to demonstrate the ability to ‘roll their sleeves up’ and personally get things done as part of a cross functional team.

Personal Attributes

• Data driven – with a keen eye for detail in all aspects of work.
• Ability to be self‑led and accountable for progress while working alone (when required) or as part of a wider team.
• Team player, who is both comfortable with supporting, and leading colleagues within the wider cross functional team.
• Ability to balance ‘hands on’ with longer term vision and processes – ensuring that all areas of the business are supported with a methodological approach.
• Determination to always uphold quality expectations while achieving the best possible business results.
• Willingness to travel Europe-wide and, when necessary, globally.

Qualifications

• Minimum HND or a BEng in an Engineering discipline.

Other

• Primary location of Coventry, UK with the requirement to work with colleagues at our R&D facility in Lowestoft, UK and suppliers as necessary.
• Primary hours are Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm however candidate needs to be flexible and be able and willing to work outside normal hours when necessary.
• 5-day week.