Senior Quality Engineer

0800 - 1600 Mon to Fri

Up to £38,000 pa

Permanent role. Our client is one of the UK’s leading specialists in precision automotive components and performance systems. As an independent company, they move fast, think flexibly, and deliver with uncompromising quality.

About the role:

Reports to: Quality Manager

Responsibilities:

As a Senior Quality Engineer, you will act as the technical and quality interface between the company and its customers and suppliers. You will own the quality delivery of assigned programmes end to end from APQP and PPAP submission through to production launch and ongoing supplier performance. Working with OEM customer contacts and the supply base, you will lead/participate in technical negotiations, resolve non-conformances, and represent Red Arch's quality position with confidence and commercial awareness.

Duties and responsibilities

• Customer Management
  • Act as the quality contact for assigned OEM customers, managing day-to-day technical and quality communication
  • Lead resolution of customer-raised concerns, non-conformances, and concessions
  • Lead structured root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone) on customer and supplier-raised issues
  • Manage PSW submission (including preparing internal quality documents), tracking, and approval status across live programmes
• Supplier Management
  • Manage day-to-day quality performance of assigned suppliers, leading technical discussions and non-conformance resolution
  • Conduct or support supplier audits, and track corrective actions through to closure
  • Work with suppliers to prepare PPAP and approve supplier PPAP submissions prior to onward customer submission
  • Identify and escalate supplier risk - delivery, quality, or capability
• Supplier Development for New Projects
  • Assess and onboard new suppliers for new programmes, including capability and process capacity review
  • Lead supplier readiness activities ahead of production launch, including trial runs, first-off inspection, and process validation
  • Support supplier tooling and process sign-off, ensuring alignment with customer and company quality requirements
• Quality Systems & Documentation
  • Ensure all quality activities and processes are conducted in accordance with IATF 16949 requirements.
  • Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to adhere to process and prevent occurrence of any non-conformity relating to product, process, or system
  • Proficient use of FactoryMaster MRP to carry out fundamental tasks such as releasing and rejecting parts.
• Measurement Support
  • When required, measure mass production first-off and last-off parts using FARO CMM equipment
  • When required, develop measurement programmes for parts based on GD&T
• People & Communication
  • Work effectively across production, engineering, and quality functions
  • Maintain a hands-on presence on the production floor or at the suppliers to support day-to-day quality activities.

Person Specification

Soft Skills:

• Assertive and proactive mindset
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision
• Willing to be flexible, including travel to customer and supplier sites when required - Full UK driving licence
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work well in a team environment across production, engineering, and quality functions

Hard Skills:

• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements
• Experience of the automotive core tools (APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP)
• Knowledge of measurement including FARO CMM, making new measurement programmes and datum strategy
• Understanding of engineering drawings and GD&T
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and production environments
• Familiarity with root cause analysis tools - 5 Whys, Fishbone, 8D