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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead investigations into product quality and drive continuous improvement in aerospace manufacturing.
- Company: Join a family-run business with over 90 years of expertise in surface engineering.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, birthday leave, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a niche sector while building a long-term career.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in Quality Engineering and strong problem-solving skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with clear pathways for progression and job security.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 35000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re hiring to support a major increase in customer demand and give dedicated focus to a key aerospace account and its continuous improvement activity. In return, you’ll receive up to £35,000, 25 days’ holiday + birthday leave & extra service days, life assurance & the chance to build a long-term career in a niche, highly regulated sector.
About Us
South West Metal Finishing is a long-established, family‑run surface engineering and metal finishing group, supplying high-spec components to the aerospace, defence, automotive and high‑technology sectors. From our large facility on Marsh Barton Trading Estate in Exeter, we provide electroplating, anodising, chemical conversion, and non‑destructive testing services to many leading aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains. We hold AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP and ISO 14001 accreditations, operate in a highly regulated environment, and have been refining our craft for over 90 years. You’ll be joining a friendly, experienced quality team in a business that offers job security, interesting aerospace and defence work, and real scope for progression within quality, compliance and wider group roles.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Role
- Development & progression: Clear pathways into senior quality, compliance and group roles, with strong support from a Quality & Product Assurance leadership team that genuinely invests in people.
- Work–life balance: Day shifts only, early Friday finish, and no regular weekend work.
- Benefits: 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, an additional birthday day off (linked to attendance), extra holiday for long service (up to 5 additional days), 5% employer / 5% employee pension, death in service cover at 3x salary, healthcare cashplan‑style scheme (for example contribution towards dental/optical).
The Role
As a Quality Engineer, you’ll focus on non‑conforming product, customer returns and continuous improvement – with particular emphasis on a key aerospace account where volumes and complexity are increasing. You’ll work closely with Quality, Engineering and Operations teams to investigate issues properly, not just apply a quick fix, and help move the culture towards robust root cause analysis and prevention.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead investigations into non‑conforming product, using problem‑solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, PFMEA, PDCA, Poka‑Yoke or Six Sigma to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
- Review and process customer returns daily, ensuring timely assessment, clear documentation and effective corrective and preventive actions in line with KPIs.
- Support the daily MRB (Material Review Board) process, walking the shop floor with engineering and operations to assess issues, agree dispositions and drive follow‑up actions.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders when procedures, specifications or work instructions need updating, ensuring documentation reflects current best practice.
- Provide professional communication to customers and suppliers, including 8D reports and responses to quality concerns.
- Support Lead Inspectors with AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports and help identify training needs within inspection.
- Analyse external (customer) returns data to spot trends and implement robust preventative actions.
- Attend daily SQDCP/departmental meetings and communicate openly with engineering, sales and production to help achieve company objectives.
Essential About You
- Hands‑on Quality Engineering / Quality Assurance experience, ideally including non‑conformances, customer returns and MRB activity.
- Proven experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (for example ISO 9001, AS9100) and related documentation.
- Strong problem‑solving skills and familiarity with structured tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, PFMEA, PDCA or similar.
- Able to interpret technical drawings and use MS Office confidently.
- Clear, professional communication skills – both written and verbal – with the ability to engage at all levels.
Desirable
- Experience in aerospace, surface treatment, electroplating or anodising environments.
- Exposure to Nadcap or similar special process audits.
Location: Marsh Barton, Exeter (on‑site)
Hours: Monday–Thursday 08:00–16:30, Friday 08:00–14:00
Salary: £32,000–£35,000 depending on experience
Quality Engineer in Exeter employer: South West Metal Finishing
Contact Detail:
South West Metal Finishing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Engineer in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace industry, especially those working at South West Metal Finishing. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your problem-solving skills. Familiarise yourself with tools like 8D and 5 Whys, as they’re key in quality engineering. Show us you can tackle issues head-on!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your communication skills! Whether it’s during the interview or in follow-up emails, being clear and professional will set you apart. We love candidates who can engage effectively at all levels.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at South West Metal Finishing.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Engineer in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Quality Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience in quality assurance and any relevant problem-solving tools you've used, like 8D or Six Sigma. 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 and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your experience in a manufacturing environment and your familiarity with quality management systems.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects your written communication skills. Whether it's your CV or cover letter, keep it professional yet engaging. We love seeing candidates who can communicate effectively at all levels!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the info you need about the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at South West Metal Finishing!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Metal Finishing
✨Know Your Quality Tools
Familiarise yourself with problem-solving tools like 8D, 5 Whys, and PFMEA. Be ready to discuss how you've used these methods in past roles to tackle non-conformances or customer returns.
✨Understand the Aerospace Sector
Brush up on the specifics of the aerospace industry, especially regarding quality standards like AS9100 and ISO 9001. Showing that you understand the regulatory environment will impress your interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to non-conforming products. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, demonstrating your analytical skills and structured approach.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be liaising with various teams and customers, highlight your communication abilities. Prepare examples where you effectively communicated complex quality issues or led discussions in a team setting.
