At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multidisciplinary Quality team in a fast-paced Defence and Aerospace manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a Tier 1 manufacturer known for mission-critical products and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, BUPA, 31 days holiday, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth in a dynamic and demanding technical environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of quality standards in a rapidly growing industry with real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; strong leadership and technical skills required.
Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.
£75,000 - £85,000 + BUPA + 31 Days Holiday + Flexible Hours
Central Scotland
We are recruiting for a highly successful Tier 1 manufacturer supplying technically complex, mission-critical products into some of the world's largest Defence & Aerospace organisations. The business is experiencing significant growth and increasing production volumes. As a result, they are looking to appoint a Head of Quality who can lead an established quality function and help take technical quality capability, standards and performance to the next level.
This is a Senior Management position with responsibility for a team of approximately 12 across Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality and Laboratory functions.
The Role
- Leading, coaching and developing a multidisciplinary Quality team
- Creating the right culture, environment and standards across the function
- Driving improvements in root cause analysis, fault finding and failure analysis
- Improving reaction times and the quality of response when technical issues occur
- Leading risk management, FMEA and preventative quality activity
- Supporting investigation of complex product and process issues
- Developing Quality Engineering capability as production volumes increase
- Overseeing non-conformance, product conformance and qualification activity
- Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Operations
- Providing credible technical leadership during customer visits and technical discussions
- Supporting the continued development of an already established aerospace quality management system
Importantly, you'll inherit a capable team including a strong and highly experienced number two, allowing you to concentrate on leadership, technical development and raising overall capability.
The Person
The technical requirement is important. Ideally, you'll be degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, although Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or another highly relevant technical discipline will also be considered. You may already be operating as a Head of Quality / Quality Manager, or you could be a technically strong Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Engineering Manager, Process Engineer or Development Engineer ready to step into a broader leadership position.
We're particularly interested in people who can demonstrate:
- Strong technical engineering capability
- Experience within complex serial manufacturing
- Excellent root cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills
- An understanding of stresses, strains, test data, failure modes and technically complex products
- Strong Quality Engineering and risk-management capability
- The ability to challenge existing standards and drive continuous improvement
- Credibility with demanding technical customers
- A methodical, detailed and disciplined approach
- Strong leadership capability with the ability to coach, support and develop engineers
- The personality and gravitas to establish high standards while bringing a team with you
Defence or Aerospace experience would obviously be attractive, but it is not essential. We are equally interested in people from other technically demanding, highly regulated manufacturing environments including Automotive, Medical Devices, Electronics and other complex engineered products.
The Opportunity
What makes this particularly interesting is the scale of what is happening within the business. Production volumes are increasing significantly as demand from major Defence & Aerospace customers grows. Quality therefore has a critical role to play in ensuring the organisation can scale without compromising technical standards, product reliability or customer confidence.
You'll have the opportunity to shape the Quality function, develop the team around you and have a genuine influence on how the wider manufacturing operation evolves. If you're an engineering-led Quality professional who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, developing people and raising standards within complex manufacturing, I'd be very interested in speaking with you.
Head of Quality - Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing in Old Town employer: Engineering Recruit Scotland
Join a dynamic team as a Plumbing and Heating Engineer, where your expertise in domestic heating applications will be valued and rewarded. Our company fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, all while offering competitive salaries and benefits. Located in a thriving community, we provide a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our customers while enjoying a fulfilling career.
Contact Details:
Engineering Recruit Scotland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality - Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing in Old Town
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality - Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing in Old Town
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Engineering Recruit Scotland specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Engineering Recruit Scotland
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Engineering Recruit Scotland, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Engineering Recruit Scotland value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
