Senior Quality Control Engineer in Falmouth

About Engineered Arts

Engineered Arts is the leading manufacturer of full-size humanoid robots used for entertainment, education and communication. With 20 years of hardware and software development, our robots have been sold in over 30 countries worldwide with customers such as NASA, PwC, Meta and many more. Our Ameca robot is well known as ‘the face of AI’ and a social media viral success, taking advantage of the generative AI craze. Along with our ultra-realistic Mesmer range of animated figures, our robots continue to surprise and excite visitors at museums, theme parks, visitor attractions and trade shows as well as aid leading universities with AI and robotics research. Our robots are poised to break into the future mega-expansion service robot segment, with applications such as front of house, receptions, check-in desks, information points and PoS. We are a team of dedicated engineers and creatives striving to develop the very best experiences for our customers. Our internal motto is ‘Be Wow’, everything we do is fun, entertaining or surprising to encounter. We always push the boundaries of what is possible in humanoid robotics, researching and developing new systems and techniques to further their appeal.

Role Outline

A truly unique opportunity to join a high profile robotics company, renowned for inventing the world’s most engaging interactive humanoid robot, Ameca. Engineered Arts value the creative and technical elements of product development in equal measure; our superpower is combining them to unleash the most engaging user experiences. We create leading edge robot hardware with unparalleled fidelity, and the advanced operating system and development platform which brings it to life. All Ameca robots are designed and manufactured at our HQ in Falmouth, Cornwall. Much of the parts manufacture is conducted on-site; however, as we grow, we are outsourcing more part manufacture to increase capacity. All final assembly and commissioning work is carried out at HQ.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Quality Control Engineer to oversee the quality of our manufactured products, from parts coming off our machines in-house, to sub-contracted parts, off the shelf components, sub-assemblies and final full-robot assemblies. This role will be responsible for ensuring that every robot is fit for use and is sent out into the world to dazzle and delight all who meet it. This is an exciting time in our evolution and as a scale-up business, this role has the opportunity to grow along with our operations, to define the processes we require now and in the future and own the production QA/QC function.

Main Responsibilities

• Process management: Architect and own the quality control processes for design, manufacture and procurement, setting standards for quality. Define, refine and follow the processes and procedures you own. Work with the Business Systems team to automate the processes alongside the design and manufacture workflows.
• Quality control: Control of in-house manufactured parts, including during the manufacturing process (e.g. first-off the machine QC). Control of outsourced manufactured parts, including goods received checks and manufacturing drawings checks. Goods received checks of off-the-shelf parts. Control of completed sub-assemblies. Checks of pre- and post-commissioned full robot assemblies. Documentation of all quality processes and procedures. Measurement of current performance and analysis of past performance and efficacy of process improvements. Training and mentorship of manufacturing and assembly engineers on processes, policies and procedures to improve quality and attention to detail. Tracking and reporting Non-Conformance metrics.
• Quality issue identification and resolution: Working with the support and aftercare team on identifying hardware issues caused by quality problems. Working with design, production and support teams to communicate quality issues and resolutions.

Challenges

• Building processes for current needs but with future demands in mind.
• Understanding the issues and working with internal and external teams to resolve them.
• Looking ahead to incoming designs and R&D projects to identify upcoming requirements.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Key Skills and Experience

Essential:

• At least 4 years experience in a QA/QC oriented role.
• Experience of hardware manufacturing.
• Experience crafting policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and ISO9001 requirements.
• Proficiency in Metrology: Demonstrated experience in using metrology tools and techniques, including calipers, micrometers, CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machines), optical comparators, and laser measurement systems.
• Knowledge of mechanical drawing and tolerancing standards (GD&T).
• Working with global supply partners on quality management of subcontracted parts and assemblies.
• High attention to detail and well organised.

Desirable:

• Prior hands-on engineering experience such as manufacturing, electronics or assembly engineer roles.
• Use of parametric CAD packages, particularly Autodesk Inventor.
• Understanding of electronics circuitry, schematics and/or eCAD systems such as KiCAD.
• Use of optical and tactile CMMs.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques.

Useful:

• ISO9001 auditor.
• Experience of robotics manufacturing.
• Interest in humanoid robotics.