QA/quality Engineer in Stevenage

Role: Lead Quality Engineer (Customer Facing)

Industry: Electronics and mechanical manufacturing

You must have a background in electronics or mechanical manufacturing, with key experience or knowledge of electronic components.

We are an established 17-year-old engineering company within electronic manufacturing (CEM) that specialises in project management and supply chain of electronics components. We specialise in delivering customised vendor-managed services that integrate component sourcing, warehousing, kitting, and global distribution. We support clients operating in complex and regulated industries including Aerospace & Defence, Medical, Rail, and Industrial sectors.

We are dedicated to optimising our existing supply chain by providing specialised resources, systems, support, and logistics, from the design phase through to the equipment's entire lifecycle. Some of our tailored service capabilities include:

• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and point-of-use stock solutions
• 3PL and smart logistics
• Direct Line Feed with multi-bin systems and replenishment triggers
• Data Managed Services

The Quality Engineer will drive compliance with customer, industry, and regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of quality excellence throughout the organisation and supply chain. This role will focus on optimising processes, reducing defects, and enhancing customer satisfaction through proactive quality planning, effective supplier management, risk mitigation, and innovative solutions tailored to complex electronics and logistics environments.

Your role is to deliver for our customers and manage the manufacturing process, helping to source PCB parts or box builds alongside vendor management should a client need something more bespoke!

Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using tools to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness:

• Conduct root cause analysis of quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Supplier Quality Management:

• Evaluate, develop, and monitor suppliers to ensure the quality of materials, components, and outsourced services.
• Conduct supplier audits, assess performance, and work collaboratively to drive improvements.
• Address supplier non-conformances and develop quality improvement plans.

Serve as the primary quality liaison with customers, addressing concerns, managing complaints, and ensuring customer-specific requirements are met:

• Develop, maintain, and improve quality documentation including procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, and control plans.
• Monitor and report on quality metrics and KPIs.

Training:

• Train and coach employees at all levels on quality standards, tools, and best practices.

Project & Product Support:

• Provide quality engineering support during the development, launch, and ongoing operation of bespoke kitting and logistics solutions, including leading and reviewing First Article Inspections (FAI).
• Support risk management activities, such as control plan creation and process validation.

Relevant quality qualification and experience in a quality engineering or assurance role within electronics, supply chain, or manufacturing industries:

• In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 and other relevant quality standards and regulations.
• Desirable in-depth knowledge of AS9100 quality standard.
• Strong experience with quality tools and methodologies.
• Experience managing supplier quality and conducting audits.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and quality management software/systems.

A commercial mindset is essential, as you need to be personable to push back on clients or deal with angry customers to influence and guide them.

Employees are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly, where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and particularly where there are legal requirements, employees are responsible for understanding those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied. Workers must co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements.