At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive quality excellence and improve processes in a cutting-edge optical manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join G&H, a leader in optical engineering with over 75 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, pension contributions, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality standards in aerospace and defence sectors.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality engineering with AS9100 or ISO9001 certification required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
G&H is entering an exciting phase of growth and transformation, driven by strong demand in our Aerospace & Defence business. As we continue to build on more than seventy-five years of optical engineering excellence, we are looking for talented people who want to shape the future of high-precision optical components for mission critical applications. Our Ilminster, Somerset headquarters is home to some of the world's most advanced optical manufacturing and we are proud of a culture defined by precision, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
We are now seeking a Quality Engineer to join this team and play a key role in upholding the standards that make G&H a trusted partner to leading OEMs across industrial, aerospace and defence and life science sectors.
What's in it for you?
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Company pension (6% contribution)
- Company bonus scheme
- Health Cash Plan
- £500 referral bonus for successful employee referrals (T&Cs apply)
What you'll be doing as Quality Engineer at G&H:
- Driving quality excellence through internal auditing, root cause analysis, and the delivery of process improvements using 5Y, 8D and other structured problem-solving tools.
- Supporting the Gated Contract Review process and new product introduction (NPI) by reviewing customer requirements and compiling FAIRs in line with AS9102 standards.
- Acting as a mature customer-facing representative to ensure timely issue resolution and close-out of customer returns.
- Coordinating concession management, analysing material non-conformances, and working with supply chain teams to address root causes.
- Leading and supporting business improvement initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of poor quality (COPQ) and enhancing system performance.
- Contributing to the maintenance and evolution of our AS9100-certified Business Management System (BMS) through effective auditing and risk-based thinking.
- Playing a supportive role in coaching and developing junior team members within the Quality team.
At G&H, we're looking for a Quality Engineer with:
- Internal or Lead Auditor certification to AS9100 or ISO9001.
- Proven experience in the role, ideally within a technical or optical manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of root cause analysis tools (5Y, 8D, DMAIC) and continuous improvement methods.
- Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to challenge and influence while maintaining high emotional intelligence.
- Experience working within AS9100 or ISO9001 certified environments.
- A structured, analytical mindset with good knowledge of COPQ metrics, MRB processes and supplier issue resolution.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma principles and an understanding of the SC21 initiative is desirable.
This is an opportunity to influence quality at every stage of the process, work closely with cross-functional experts, and contribute to a business that is scaling its capabilities and impact globally.
Interested in this Quality Engineer role? Please click apply online and upload an updated copy of your CV.
Quality Engineer in Ilminster employer: G&H
G&H is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Ilminster headquarters, where innovation meets precision in optical engineering. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a robust pension scheme, all within a collaborative culture that values continuous improvement and teamwork. Join us to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of high-precision optical components while enjoying unique opportunities for professional development in the thriving Aerospace & Defence sector.
