Senior Quality Engineer

Location: Derby

Hours: 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Flexible start time between 07:00 and 08:00, with a flexible finish between 16:00 and 17:00 Monday to Thursday. Friday finish at 12:00.

Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum, dependent on experience

First Base are currently recruiting on behalf of a leading company specialising in the aerospace and defence industry, who are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to join their team in Derby.

This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional with strong experience in aerospace qualification processes, FAIR documentation, quality planning and continuous improvement to take ownership of key quality activities within a precision engineering environment.

Key Responsibilities of a Senior Quality Engineer

• Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100, NADCAP and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead and support First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) in accordance with AS9102, ensuring aerospace qualification and customer requirements are met.
• Develop, review and maintain quality planning documentation, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts and PPAP documentation.
• Lead and support internal, customer and NADCAP audits, ensuring the business remains audit-ready and compliant with relevant standards.
• Manage customer quality queries, non-conformances and corrective actions, applying structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D and root cause analysis.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), working closely with engineering, manufacturing and planning teams to ensure quality requirements are achieved.
• Monitor quality performance indicators, identify recurring issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
• Provide technical guidance and support to colleagues, promoting a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Skills and Experience of a Senior Quality Engineer:

• Proven experience in a Quality Engineering role within the aerospace or precision engineering manufacturing sector.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, with experience supporting or managing NADCAP and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Demonstrable experience preparing, reviewing and managing FAIR documentation in accordance with AS9102.
• Strong experience with quality planning processes, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts and PPAP.
• Experience with aerospace qualification processes and ensuring products meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience supporting or leading internal, customer and third-party audits.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, specifications and manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing non-conformances, customer complaints and corrective actions using structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing and planning teams.
• Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage quality activities independently.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within aerospace components, precision engineering or a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with quality management systems and relevant quality software.
• Previous experience in a senior or lead quality engineering position.

To be considered for this role

You should have a strong background in aerospace quality engineering, with practical experience in FAIR processing, quality planning and aerospace qualification activities. This role would suit an experienced Quality Engineer looking to take ownership of quality processes and contribute to continuous improvement across a precision manufacturing environment.

To be considered for this role, please email your CV to max.gomer@first-base.co.uk or call Andrew on 01453 755330.

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