At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality initiatives in exciting defence projects that protect national security.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in engineering and defence with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a matched pension scheme, and health support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality leadership and a relevant qualification are essential.
The predicted salary is between 44557 - 54459 £ per year.
Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol, Ashchurch, Gloucestershire or Devonport, Plymouth + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape Quality. Strengthen Defence. Make a Lasting Impact. At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Quality Engineer at our Ashton Vale, Bristol or Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, Devonport site.
The role:
As a Principal Quality Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You'll play a pivotal role in supporting complex and exciting defence programmes that help protect national security. Working across the project lifecycle, you'll provide expert quality leadership, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety and performance are embedded in everything we deliver. This is a highly influential role where you'll collaborate with programme managers, engineering teams and customers, helping to drive continuous improvement and deliver successful project outcomes. You'll have the opportunity to shape quality strategy, influence organisational culture and further develop your expertise within a leading international engineering organisation.
Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:
- Partner with Programme Managers and Engineering leads
- Develop and implement Project Quality Plans
- Establish and monitor KPIs
- Drive best-practice quality approach
- Manage and implement quality risk-based assurance activities
This is a full-time, 37-hour per week role based at Ashton Vale, Bristol, Tewksbury or Devonport, Plymouth. Hybrid working patterns are available.
Essential experience of the Principal Quality Engineer:
- Considerable practical, hands-on experience in a related industry and be familiar with how Quality applies throughout a product or service delivery lifecycle.
- Experience of implementing quality improvements and encouraging culture change within an organisation.
- Experience writing and implementing quality processes
- Knowledge across product lifecycle quality disciplines
- Problem-solving tools (FMEA, 8D, 5 Whys) and experience with leading investigations
Qualifications for the Principal Quality Engineer:
- ONC, HNC or NVQ Level 3 qualification in a Quality, science, engineering discipline
- Experience working in a Quality or Engineering Leadership role.
- Chartered Membership of an applicable body, CQI is preferred.
- ISO 9001 / AS9100 lead auditor
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) Developed Vetting (DV) (required to gain in the post) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Babcock International:
For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal. We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 21/08/2026
Principal Quality Engineer in Bristol employer: weServed
As a Mechanical Technical Officer at our Donnington site in Telford, you will be part of a dedicated team that supports critical defence capabilities while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. We offer generous benefits including a matched contribution pension scheme, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact on national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Quality Engineer in Bristol
✨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 Principal Quality Engineer role you’re after at weServed.
✨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 weServed 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 weServed.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Principal Quality Engineer at weServed, 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 Principal Quality Engineer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Principal Quality Engineer, 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 weServed 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 weServed 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 weServed
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with weServed, 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 weServed 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.
