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- Tasks: Lead quality engineering activities and mentor a dynamic team in aerospace manufacturing.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace and defence company committed to quality excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, pension contributions, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality processes in a high-stakes industry.
- Qualifications: Expertise in AS9100, NADCAP, and quality engineering required.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative environment with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The Principal Quality Engineer is responsible for overseeing the execution and continuous improvement of quality processes to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal standards, particularly AS9100, ITAR, and NADCAP. This role provides technical leadership in quality engineering, supports strategic quality initiatives, and mentors the wider quality team to uphold rigorous standards in aerospace and defence gear manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Leadership and Oversight
- Lead day-to-day quality engineering activities and provide mentorship to other Quality Engineers and Inspectors.
- Act as deputy to the Quality Manager where appropriate and support high-level decision-making on quality matters.
- Represent the Quality function in internal project teams, customer quality meetings, and regulatory audits.
- Compliance and Systems Management
- Ensure ongoing compliance with AS9100, NADCAP, ISO 9001, ITAR, and customer-specific requirements.
- Drive maintenance and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring documentation, records, and procedures are fully aligned with certification standards.
- Support preparation and execution of external audits (certification, NADCAP, customer, and regulatory).
- Technical Quality Engineering
- Lead or coordinate advanced quality planning activities including APQP, PPAP, control plans, FMEAs, and FAIRs (AS9102).
- Ensure robust inspection and test methods are in place for gear manufacturing processes (e.g. hobbing, grinding, heat treatment, NDT).
- Champion the use of risk-based thinking and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- NADCAP and Special Processes
- Oversee compliance and audit readiness for NADCAP-accredited processes (e.g. heat treatment, NDT, coatings).
- Liaise with special process owners to ensure qualification and requalification activities meet NADCAP requirements.
- ITAR and Export Compliance
- Ensure quality activities, data handling, and document control meet ITAR and UK Export Control requirements.
- Act as quality liaison for defence contracts requiring export licensing and controlled technical data.
- Root Cause and Continuous Improvement
- Lead high-priority root cause investigations and corrective/preventive actions (RCA/CAPA).
- Drive cross-functional initiatives for process capability improvement, yield enhancement, and defect reduction.
- Monitor and report on key quality metrics (KPIs), using data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Qualifications and Experience
- Expert knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, and ISO 9001 standards.
- Proven leadership in Quality engineering within aerospace or defence sectors, including training and mentoring.
- Experience with gear manufacturing processes and associated quality challenges.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (8D, DMAIC, 5 Whys, Fishbone).
- Ability to interpret complex technical drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
- Familiarity with quality tools: SPC, MSA, FMEA, APQP, PPAP, FAIRs.
- Comfortable working in regulated environments with strong attention to detail and compliance.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Quality (or equivalent).
- Minimum 7 years' experience in quality roles within aerospace/defence.
- Trained AS9100 and NADCAP internal auditor.
- Demonstrable experience managing NADCAP-accredited special processes.
- Knowledge of ITAR and UK Export Control compliance in a manufacturing context.
- Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification (desirable).
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working toward (desirable).
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution (6%)
- Annual bonus
- 25+ days holiday
- Training and development funding
- Life assurance
Principal Quality Engineer in London employer: GET STAFFED ONLINE RECRUITMENT LIMITED
Contact Detail:
GET STAFFED ONLINE RECRUITMENT LIMITED Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Quality Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aerospace and defence sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, and ITAR standards. We recommend creating a cheat sheet with key points and examples from your experience. This way, you’ll be ready to impress with your expertise when the questions come flying at you!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past roles, highlight how you’ve mentored others or led quality initiatives. We want to see how you can bring that same energy to our team and help elevate the quality standards in our projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Quality Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Quality Engineer role. Highlight your experience with AS9100, NADCAP, and ITAR compliance, as well as any leadership roles you've held in quality engineering. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about quality engineering in aerospace and defence. Share specific examples of how you've led quality initiatives or improved processes in your previous roles. We love a good story!
Show Off Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your technical expertise! Mention your familiarity with quality tools like SPC, FMEA, and APQP. If you’ve got Six Sigma certification, flaunt it! We’re keen on candidates who can hit the ground running.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at GET STAFFED ONLINE RECRUITMENT LIMITED
✨Know Your Standards
Make sure you brush up on AS9100, NADCAP, and ITAR standards before the interview. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you’re not just familiar with them but can also apply them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led quality engineering initiatives or mentored others in your previous roles. Highlighting your leadership experience will demonstrate that you can take charge and guide a team effectively.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about advanced quality planning activities like APQP and PPAP. Brush up on your knowledge of inspection methods and be prepared to discuss how you’ve implemented these in gear manufacturing processes.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of specific instances where you’ve used structured problem-solving methodologies like 8D or DMAIC. Sharing these experiences will illustrate your analytical skills and your ability to drive continuous improvement.
