Lead Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Description Summary

GE Vernova's Rotating Machines Rugby operation builds some of the most technically demanding equipment in defence, aerospace, and industrial power. When a product leaves our facility, it must perform — and the integrity of that performance starts here, on the shop floor.

This is a senior technical leadership position at the heart of a low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing environment where bespoke engineering and exacting safety-critical standards define everything we do.

As Lead Quality Assurance Engineer, you will serve as the primary technical authority for manufacturing quality within the RMR Quality team. This is not a process-administration role, you will provide hands-on operational leadership on the shop floor, drive the transition from reactive issue management to proactive defect prevention, and hold firm accountability for the quality integrity of high-value, bespoke equipment.

You will be the operational anchor for the Quality function — the person who determines when our processes are truly production-ready, and who sets the standard for technical rigour across Manufacturing, Engineering, and Project Management.

If you are an experienced quality leader ready for genuine technical ownership in a mission-critical engineering environment, we want to hear from you. You must also be a sole British citizen (hold a valid UK passport) with the ability to obtain UK security clearance to SC-level.

Job Description

Operational Quality Leadership

• Direct daily Quality Engineering and inspection activities, aligning resource prioritisation with manufacturing schedules, customer commitments, and safety-critical compliance requirements
• Act as the primary operational authority for the Quality function, interfacing directly with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Project Management to resolve technical bottlenecks
• Lead daily operational reviews, monitor workload and technical risk, and ensure clear escalation of issues that threaten quality integrity

Quality Engineering & Non-Conformance Management

• Provide hands-on leadership for NCR management, ensuring all investigations, dispositions, and corrective actions are technically sound and fully supported by empirical evidence
• Lead high-stakes root cause investigations for complex product failures, driving permanent, systemic preventive actions rather than temporary containment measures
• Enforce strict accountability for CAPA effectiveness across all functional owners, eliminating repeat defects through process-based solutions

Quality Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Manage operational performance through advanced trend analysis (Pareto, defect rates, Cost of Poor Quality), translating data into targeted improvement initiatives
• Champion the development and maintenance of manufacturing Control Plans and PFMEAs, working with Engineering to improve process capability and reduce variability across complex production lines
• Facilitate structured improvement projects using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies to enhance quality systems, inspection efficiency, and digital process controls

Quality Governance & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Ensure full compliance with ISO/AS9100 standards and customer specifications, maintaining the integrity of all quality records, inspection evidence, and non-conformance documentation
• Lead operational preparation for internal, customer, and regulatory audits, ensuring follow-up actions are closed with technical rigour
• Maintain clear functional boundaries, ensuring the Quality team provides expert assurance and technical support without diluting the accountability of Manufacturing and Engineering

What You Will Bring

Essential

• Proven technical leadership in a complex, highly regulated manufacturing environment — aerospace, defence, power generation, or a comparable bespoke engineering sector
• Deep expertise in NCR management, structured root cause analysis (8D, Ishikawa), and CAPA effectiveness verification
• Practical experience applying PFMEA, Control Plans, and APQP including PPAP
• Strong technical literacy: ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, tolerances, GD&T, and detailed technical specifications
• Demonstrated experience using SAP and digital QMS systems for quality data management and reporting
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills — able to translate complex technical quality issues into clear, actionable language for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to coach, develop and upskill quality and production teams, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and quality ownership at every level
• Strong MS PowerPoint and Excel skills for analysis, reporting and presenting quality performance data to senior stakeholders
• You must also be a sole British citizen (hold a valid UK passport) with the ability to obtain UK security clearance to SC-level.
  

Desirable

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, with a demonstrable track record of measurable process improvements
• Experience in high-complexity sectors such as rotating electrical machines or heavy engineering
• Experience leading customer-facing inspections, audits, and formal product documentation (e.g., AS9102 First Article Inspection)
• Familiarity with statistical process capability analysis (Cpk/Ppk) in manufacturing environments

What We Offer At GE Vernova, we invest in your long-term success and wellbeing through a comprehensive and flexible benefits package.

Our Total Reward package includes:

• • Competitive base salary
  • Performance-related bonus
  • Flexible pension with 10% employer contribution
  • Employer-funded private health insurance
  • Income protection and life assurance
  • 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

Through our Flex Choice programme, you can also access:

• • Annual leave buying and selling
  • Cycle-to-work scheme
  • Financial planning services
  • Critical illness insurance and personal accident cover
  • Dental cover and travel insurance
  • The option to add family members to a private healthcare scheme

Why GE Vernova, Rugby? GE Vernova delivers the critical electrification systems that power the world. Our Rugby operation sits at the centre of this mission — producing some of the most technically demanding equipment in defence, aerospace, and industrial power. 

This is an environment where engineering judgement is valued, technical authority is respected, and the work you do directly underpins systems that matter. You will not simply follow existing processes — you will define, challenge, and improve them

Additional Information