At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality, health, safety, and environmental functions in a fast-paced engineering environment.
- Company: Join OpenWorks Engineering, a rapidly growing defence technology company with a passion for innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape strategy and influence operational excellence while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality leadership within engineering or manufacturing, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Head of QHSE to lead and shape our quality, health & safety, environmental and facilities functions at OpenWorks Engineering as we continue to scale as a rapidly growing defence technology and engineering business. This is a high-impact leadership role with the opportunity to influence operational maturity, manufacturing excellence and organisational standards.
You’ll work closely with senior leadership, engineering and manufacturing teams to build robust, scalable and pragmatic systems that support rapid growth without compromising agility or innovation. This role is ideally suited to a leader who thrives on shaping strategy, developing high-performing teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels. The successful candidate will combine a strong commitment to people development with hands-on operational leadership and be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, engineering-led environment.
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world.
Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced, and people genuinely love what they do. Here’s what our benefits have to offer:
- Rewarding Success - Competitive salary and bonus package, with performance bonuses of up to 25% and clear opportunities for career progression.
- Enhanced Pension – Up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
- More Time to Recharge – 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, long-service rewards, and the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
- Breakfast & Lunch on Us – Enjoy team breakfasts and freshly prepared lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
- Health & Wellbeing – Private healthcare and life assurance for added peace of mind.
- Sustainable Travel – Salary sacrifice schemes, including EV car and Cycle to Work options.
- Team Socials – Regular events, from quiz nights and football to board games and more.
- Learning & Growth – A culture that empowers you to challenge, grow and make an impact, plus a £250 annual learning budget to invest in the development that matters most to you.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leadership and Team Development: Influence quality culture; lead and develop teams; provide leadership and coaching; foster talent development; build strong relationships.
- Quality Leadership and Governance: Own the QMS, quality strategy and governance framework; influence business improvement; manage issue resolution.
- Manufacturing and Operational Quality: Support manufacturing excellence; drive practical improvements; oversee operational quality activities.
- Health, Safety and Environmental: Lead HSE strategy; promote a proactive safety culture.
- Facilities Management: Lead facilities management and infrastructure planning.
- ERP System Alignment: Support systems integration.
What we’re looking for:
- Quality leadership experience: Significant experience leading Quality functions within engineering or manufacturing.
- Strong QMS expertise: Experience developing and managing ISO-based Quality Management Systems within regulated industries.
- Operational quality knowledge: Strong understanding of manufacturing quality, audits, RCCA processes and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Collaborative leadership style: Able to build credibility and influence across engineering, manufacturing and senior leadership teams.
- Pragmatic approach: Comfortable balancing rigour, compliance and operational agility within a fast-paced business.
- Hands-on mindset: Equally comfortable contributing strategically and engaging operationally where required.
- Calm and credible: Maintains a calm, methodical approach under pressure.
- ERP and systems experience: Experience integrating quality processes within ERP/MRP-driven manufacturing environments.
- Strong communication skills: Able to influence across functions and promote a positive, company-wide quality culture.
Desirable:
- Sector experience: Experience within defence, aerospace, electronics, electro-optics or other complex engineering sectors.
- Growth and scaling experience: Experience supporting rapid organisational growth and operational scaling.
- AS9100 knowledge: Experience working within AS9100 environments.
- Health & Safety qualifications: NEBOSH qualification or equivalent H&S certification.
- Audit qualifications: Lead Auditor qualification.
- Lean and problem-solving methodologies: Familiarity with lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving approaches.
- Other: A full UK driving licence is required for this role. The position will involve occasional travel.
Vision: Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
Mission: Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.
Values: Be a Good Egg; Do cool stuff; Be empowered; We are one team; Things go wrong; Have fun.
Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental in Prudhoe employer: OpenWorks Engineering
OpenWorks is an exceptional employer located in the North East of England, offering a dynamic work environment where finance professionals can thrive. With a competitive remuneration package, generous holiday allowance, and a culture that promotes personal growth and teamwork, employees enjoy unique benefits such as free meals and private healthcare. The company is dedicated to innovation in defence technology, providing meaningful work that contributes to global safety while fostering a supportive and fun workplace atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental in Prudhoe
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental role you’re after at OpenWorks Engineering.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at OpenWorks Engineering a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at OpenWorks Engineering.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental at OpenWorks Engineering, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental in Prudhoe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at OpenWorks Engineering a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to OpenWorks Engineering specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenWorks Engineering
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with OpenWorks Engineering, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like OpenWorks Engineering want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
