Principal Quality Engineer

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.

Key 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.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• 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