Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer 📍 Location: Bearsted 💰 Salary: £40,000 per annum 🕒 Full-Time | Permanent Are you an experienced Quality Engineer with a strong background in injection moulding and manufacturing excellence? We are looking for a driven and detail-oriented professional to lead quality assurance, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of quality systems, customer complaints, process improvement, and supplier quality while working closely with technical and production teams. 🏭 Quality, Process & Product Assurance * Ensure moulded components meet dimensional, visual, functional and compliance requirements * Lead control plans, in-process inspections, gauge validation and sampling strategies * Manage PPAP/FAIR submissions and sign-off for new or modified tooling * Conduct capability studies (Cp/Cpk), SPC and Gage R&R * Support and implement PFMEA and risk mitigation activities 🛠 Tooling & Injection Moulding Control * Support validation and maintenance of mould tools * Investigate and resolve moulding defects (flash, sink, splay, burn marks, short shots, warpage, weld lines, contamination) 📊 Non-Conformance, CAPA & NCR Leadership * Raise, track and close NCRs * Lead root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa) * Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) * Manage quarantine processes, concessions, deviations and rework plans 📈 Continuous Improvement & Production Support * Provide hands-on quality support across moulding and assembly operations * Apply Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma tools to reduce scrap, waste and downtime * Improve FPY, OEE and cost of quality * Drive shop-floor engagement (5S, visual standards, layered audits) 👥 Customer & Supplier Quality * Own the customer complaints process from receipt to closure * Prepare structured customer response reports * Support supplier audits, evaluations and corrective actions * Ensure traceability, batch control and material validation 📋 QMS, Compliance & Auditing * Maintain and improve Quality Management Systems * Lead and support internal and external audits * Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and customer requirements * Support ISO and environmental standards ✅ Essential HNC/D or Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Plastics, Materials or related discipline Proven experience within an injection moulding manufacturing environment Strong knowledge of QMS aligned to ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 Experience with assembly and testing of electro-mechanical components Proficient in root cause analysis tools (8D, A3, DMAIC) Experience using ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP) for traceability and material control Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, SMED, JIT) Ability to read technical drawings and interpret GD&T Strong communication and leadership skills ⭐ Desirable Experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, FAIR Knowledge of SPC, Cp/Cpk and Gage R&R Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent) Experience supporting internal/external audits Understanding of regulatory standards such as RoHS, REACH, CE 🎯 What We’re Looking For We’re seeking a proactive Quality Engineer who: Thrives in a hands-on manufacturing environment Is passionate about continuous improvement Takes ownership of quality performance and customer satisfaction Can confidently work cross-functionally with production, suppliers and customers