Quality Engineer (Fixed-Term Contract - Maternity Cover)
Location: Basildon, Essex (SS14 3WF)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
Contract: Fixed-term until 4 August 2026 (initial maternity cover), {Potential to go permanent
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Industry: Aerospace / Defence Manufacturing
We are currently recruiting a Quality Engineer to join our Quality team on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. This role plays a critical part in ensuring quality compliance, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction across both existing and new production.
While this is initially a maternity cover position, there is potential for the role to become permanent depending on business needs and performance.
The Role
Reporting to the Quality Manager, The Quality Engineer will provide quality leadership and guidance across the business, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and supporting both internal stakeholders and customers across all quality-related activities.
Key Responsibilities
Health, Safety & Environment
- Ensure all activities comply with company HSE policies and procedures
Customer Quality & Complaints
- Lead customer and internal complaint resolution
- Carry out root cause analysis (8D) and implement corrective actions
- Manage customer communication throughout the process
Audits & Compliance
- Conduct internal audits to standards such as AS9100 and NADCAP
- Support and host external audits and customer visits
- Raise, manage and close non-conformance reports
Workshop & Production Support
- Lead MRB activity
- Interpret drawings and standards
- Maintain and update route cards and supporting documentation
Supplier Quality
- Support supplier audits and surveillance
- Manage supplier complaints and communication
- Maintain the Approved Supplier List and support supplier selection
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Own quality activities for NPI projects
- Apply tools such as PPAP, FMEA and APQP where required
- Produce First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs)
- Resolve quality issues and support documentation creation
Continuous Improvement
- Analyse data to identify improvement opportunities
- Lead and support improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, RCA tools
Quality Management System (QMS)
- Support the maintenance and development of the QMS
- Ensure compliance across all business activities
Training & Systems
- Deliver quality training to colleagues and customers when required
- Support the development and use of business systems (e.g. CC database, Aventa / Factory Master)
Skills & Behaviours
- Strong team player with a collaborative approach
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
- Confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels
- Highly organised with the ability to self-manage and prioritise workload
- Analytical, detail-focused and solutions-oriented
- Strong continuous improvement mindset
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree-qualified in Engineering, Quality or a related discipline or equivalent experience
- Previous experience in aerospace or defence manufacturing is preferred
- Experience working to recognised quality standards (e.g. AS9100, NADCAP)
Why Join Us?
- Competitive salary
- Opportunity to work within a high-quality, regulated manufacturing environment
- Exposure to complex, interesting aerospace/defence projects
- Potential for the role to become permanent
If you are an experienced Quality Engineer looking for a varied and impactful role within a high-performing manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you.
