Quality Assurance Engineer - Manufacturing

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Quality Engineer looking for greater responsibility, more ownership and the opportunity to progress into senior management?

We are recruiting for an established engineering and manufacturing business in East Sussex seeking a proactive Quality Assurance Engineer to take ownership of quality processes, improve systems and drive compliance across its operations.

Working closely with the Operations & Compliance Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining and developing the company's ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ensuring processes are effective, consistently followed and continually improved.

The business also operates within the rail sector, so managing RISQS, Sentinel and PTS compliance will be an important part of the role. Previous experience in these areas would be advantageous, but is not essential, provided you are willing to learn and take ownership.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys making improvements, taking responsibility and wants to develop towards a senior management position.

• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with ISO 9001.

• Take ownership of quality processes, procedures and process control across manufacturing operations.

• Plan and conduct internal, supplier and customer quality audits.

• Manage non-conformances (NCRs), root cause investigations and corrective actions using 8D, 5 Why and similar methodologies.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and operational performance.

• Manage quality documentation, calibration records, PPAPs and compliance requirements.

• Coordinate RISQS, Sentinel and PTS compliance, ensuring ongoing adherence to relevant standards.

• Work closely with production, engineering and management teams to resolve quality issues and improve processes.

• Monitor quality KPIs, support audits and contribute to wider compliance and business improvement activities.

We are looking for a hands-on Quality Engineer with a strong manufacturing or engineering background who is confident taking responsibility and driving improvements.

Essential:

• Experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Engineering within a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and Quality Management Systems.

• Experience of quality auditing, process control and continuous improvement.

• Understanding of NCRs, root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Ability to review existing procedures, identify weaknesses and implement practical improvements.

• Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and independent approach.

Desirable:

• Experience within rail, electrical engineering, electronics or a regulated manufacturing environment.

• Knowledge of RISQS, Sentinel or Personal Track Safety (PTS) requirements.

• Experience with PPAP, FMEA or supplier quality management.

• Understanding of ISO 14001 or ISO 45001.

• Relevant Quality Engineering qualifications or equivalent experience.

Please note: RISQS and Sentinel experience is not essential, but the successful candidate must be willing to learn and take responsibility for managing these compliance processes.

• Salary: £40,000 £45,000 depending on experience.

• Generous employer pension contribution.

• Private medical insurance, including dental cover.

• Death in service insurance.

• 25 days' annual leave

• Early Friday finish at 12:15pm.

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Ongoing training and professional development.

• Genuine opportunity to progress into senior management.

This is a permanent, fully site-based position in East Sussex.

If you are an experienced Quality Engineer looking for a role where you can take ownership, influence processes and make a real difference within an established engineering business, we would like to hear from you.