Quality Engineer

We currently have an opportunity for a Quality Engineer

About KNDS UK:

With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme.

We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business such as Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management and Business Support functions.

As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines and currently have this opportunity available.

About the role:

The primary purpose of this role is to provide quality support to the business ensuring customer and internal requirements are met in line with relevant standards and accreditations.

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

• To understand the customer requirements to develop, implement and monitor effective quality assurance and control processes to improve/maintain the quality of products and processes.

• Devise and review specifications for products and processes to meet customer expectations.

• Drive continuous improvement using techniques such as A3, 8D, PFMEA, DMAIC and the Lean tool box to maximise opportunities.

• Manage all reported non-conformances, though effective root cause analysis to ensure containment, corrective and preventive actions are implemented. Hold Responsibility for control and management of non-conforming products in the area.

• Subject Matter Expert for Quality Processes with demonstrable experience of quality tools and techniques such as APQP, PPAP, FAIRS, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control plans etc

• Conducting internal and external system and process audits, the reporting of all non-compliance and working with key stakeholders to resolve.

• Providing proactive support and judgement on product quality to production teams.

• Ensuring that the interests of the customer are represented at all times.

• Assist with the development and implementation of the Company Integrated management system (IMS) and support the development of procedures, work instruction and SOP’s ensuring the IMS Documentation control System is adhered to.

• Liaise with the customers Quality Assurance Representatives (GQA) when required.

• Assisting with certifying conformance of company products on release to the customer.

• To comply at all times with the Company’s Environmental, Health and Safety Policy.

• Support, comply and ensure complicity with Health & Safety regulations, the Company Handbook, Quality and Environmental standards, and all other Company policies and procedures.

What we’re looking for:

Candidates must have the following essential qualifications and experience:

• Engineering/Quality - Degree/HND/HNC.

• Working knowledge of continuous improvement techniques such as A3, 8D, 6 Sigma (Green Belt), Lean and 5S.

• Qualified internal auditor.

• Proven experience in a similar role.

• Technical capability and understanding.

• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and other relevant accreditations.

• Experience of dealing with customers, suppliers and accreditation bodies.

• In-depth experience and understanding of quality control procedures, and standards.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

The following are desirable:

• Experience of Vehicle assembly environment.

• Working knowledge of ISO14001, 45001.

• Knowledge of Defence industry assembly/manufacturing environment.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following skills and aptitudes:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

• Problem solving, team building, planning and decision making.

• Analytical skills using data to drive decisions.

• Proven knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Cpk, R&R, SPC, FMEA, Control plans.

• Able to positively motivate others.

• Focused and target driven with a positive, can-do attitude.

• Able to work on their own initiative and as part of team.

Why you should join us:

When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary

• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)

• Half-day Friday

• Life assurance scheme

• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Additional Holidays & Long Service rewards

• Wellbeing initiatives, such as Free Fruit on Tuesday’s

• Cycle-to-work Scheme

• Free on-site car parking

• On-site electric vehicle charging points

We’re also very proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2018, achieving their Silver Award in 2020 and Gold Award in 2024. We actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process.

If you are passionate about Quality and eager to contribute to a thriving workplace environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Recruiters please note that we have a list of approved recruitment agency partners in place and we will contact agencies directly should we require support. Any unsolicited CV’s received via an agency will be accepted with thanks but without fee.