Senior Supplier Quality Engineer in Bristol

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies and are committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do.

With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries, we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

An exciting role has arisen for a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer. Although this role will be site based, the position requires regular travel to meet with suppliers. The successful candidate will be regularly monitoring the quality performance of suppliers, performing reviews and taking actions depending on the cause of any problem (such as assessments, problem solving activities etc) to secure continuous compliance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and communicate product and system requirements to suppliers, ensuring robust qualification plans (FAI / PPAP) and on time delivery of compliant product.
• Provide leadership in managing supplier quality performance, acting as liaison for complex issues, and guiding SQEs on best practice and structured problem solving.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing engineering, process experts and suppliers to ensure full understanding of requirements and supplier capability.
• Oversee supplier quality planning and risk management activities, including APQP and PPAP execution.
• Review and communicate Supplier First Article submissions, coordinating with design organisation SQEs as required.
• Maintain frequent supplier engagement to monitor progress, communicate expectations, and drive performance improvements.
• Analyse supplier quality performance, identify systemic issues, and lead structured improvement activities.
• Lead and support supplier non-conformance and escape management, including RCA, containment, corrective actions and 8D reviews.
• Participate in supplier work transfer evaluations and ongoing monitoring.
• Conduct or follow up supplier assessments and capability evaluations.
• Support concurrent engineering activities between GKN and suppliers, including input on design for manufacture.
• Support cost engineering and cost reduction initiatives by collaborating with suppliers and internal technical teams.
• Provide leadership in supplier feedback processes and continuous improvement activity.
• Travel regularly within the UK and internationally to engage with suppliers, lead assessments and resolve quality concerns.

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Skilled in root cause analysis, 8D methodology and continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace quality requirements (AS9100, NADCAP, customer standards).
• Solid understanding of PPAP, APQP and AS13XXX standards.
• Highly organised with the ability to work independently and lead others effectively.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, guide and support stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems.

Desirable

• Knowledge of aerospace products, manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Leadership strengths such as coaching, recognition, constructive feedback and team support.
• Experience in supplier quality roles within aerospace or similarly regulated industries.
• Experience in managing cross functional technical projects and supplier development activity.
• Target-oriented and outgoing with good communication skills.

What We'll Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = 1.5x employee contribution (max 12%).
• Up to 15% company bonus - individual and company performance related.
• Life Assurance 8 x salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holiday.
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12 noon on a Friday.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle To Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles, we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique, we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work. We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.