Principal Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Purpose: 

• The Senior Principal Quality Engineer (SPQE) is responsible for supporting Client Projects normally operating within a Matrix  Multi Discipline Teams (MDTs) by the provision of quality assurance, management and control services; 

• Their primary purpose is to provide evidence of the Client and supply-chain adherence to the contracted quality requirements within their respective Client Programmes and Projects; 

• Their secondary purpose is to support Client Programmes in achieving adherence with the Project-wide quality arrangements, as well as ensuring that appropriate project-specific quality arrangements are established, as required in addition to ensuring the implementation of quality for all activities within the scope of the programme, for example, Manufacturing Inspection and Test (MIT) Plans; Life-time Quality Records; NCR  Facilitation; Root Cause Analysis; Audits. This could be on Client Sites or at Sub-contractors base within the UK and overseas; 

• The post holder will work in close collaboration with all other project functions and the supply-chain to ensure that project quality is delivered consistently (safely, efficiently and right first time) compliant respecting Nuclear Safety as paramount at all times. 

• The PQE will Lead project direction, from a quality perspective with the ability, as required by the client to act as the Intelligent Customer 

Dimensions (Contextual Information) dependent upon Client requirements: 

• As an embedded member of the Programme/Project the PQE will provide leadership and support on the application of specific quality activities within projects/contracts as directed by their client line manager to ensure both consistency and compliance; 

• defining quality arrangements, specifically for the  the safe, efficient and right first time delivery of the project activities undertaken by the MDT from inception through to operational handover including for example, Life Time Quality Records (LTQR); 

• Approving Project Quality Plans and MIT Plans in a consistent manner; 

• Direct and where required undertake surveillance/inspection activities (Client Sites/Sub-contractor facilities); 

• Provide guidance on acceptability criteria and whether or not product quality is being achieved or diminished; 

• Ensuring that data capture and analysis of quality metrics is undertaken to ensure that input to management reports on the delivery of quality within the MDT are unambiguous; 

• To have oversight of the non-conformance process in the identification of Project-wide Preventative Action as well as facilitation timely closure of non-conformance reports, and to ensure project-wide learning is maximised; 

• To contribute to the planning as well as Lead work stream and cross-project audits as required. 

• Provision of budgetary oversite as required. 

• Lead a team of Quality Practitioners   

Principal Accountabilities: 

The Senior Principal Quality Engineer is accountable to the Client for the following: 

• Delivery of the day-to-day quality management activities requested by the Client, in line with the general directions given by the Client’s Quality Director as defined in personal objectives or Task Orders;  

• Leads  quality records reviews and checks to enable quality oversight and the assurance that quality is delivered by the supply-chain and the MDT, efficiently and in accordance with specified requirements;  

• Participates as required in the production/review of the Programme Quality Delivery Arrangements Plan and specific MIT plans; 

• Participates in oversight of the review and acceptance of Quality Plans/Inspection & Test Plans provided by the supply-chain;  

• Supports the Client by taking the lead on establishing effective Quality Assurance, Manufacturing / Site Surveillance programmes/ plans that enable coverage of identified risks;  

• Ensures that  surveillance activities in accordance with specific MIT Plans are undertaken;  

• Ensures that appropriate controls are established with respect to the provision of Quality Records or ‘End of Reports’ by sub-contractors;  

• Support the effective close out of non-conformances (including Root Cause Analysis) through the engagement of subject matter experts as well as the application of project-wide preventative action;  

• Supports Quality Auditors (Client and Sub-contractor based) in the prompt resolution of audit findings within the supply-chain and the MDT;  

• Ensures that effective participation in Programme and Project risk & opportunity reviews including lessons learnt reviews by the Client;  

• Participates in and where appropriate Leads  investigations related to quality issues;  

• Provides leadership in the provision of regular quality reports on:  

• the delivery of quality (Product & Process) by the supply chain and the MDT;  

• the status of non-conformances, inc. root cause/repeat events 

•  supply chain capability/readiness and performance;  

• quality records RFT, backlog etc. 

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Experience: 

• Minimum of 15 years post academic experience; 

• Experience in large/complicated  project environment, preferably in the nuclear (or heavily regulated) sector, with significant focus on Product/project quality role, and with a specific engineering discipline knowledge; 

• Has a minimum of 10 years experience working in the Nuclear Sector 

• Position requires a dynamic individual who is a team leader as well as a team player and has a solid understanding of the quality assurance and control principles, and process management in projects;.  

• understanding of working in an international quality environment; 

• Experience in leading compliance with National and International standards such as GS-R-3, ISO 9001, ISO19443; ISO 3834; EN10204; 

• Working knowledge of Licence Conditions LC6; LC17 and ONR TAG 077; 

• Experience of engaging with Regulator(s) on technical quality issues 

• Experience planning and Leading Internal and Supplier Audits; 

• The ability to carry out unsupervised inspections to appropriate standards e.g. pressurised systems 

• Experience in the review of Quality Records (e.g. Material Certification; CFSI) 

• As minimum 8 years experience in managing people/ leading teams 

• Experience in the analysis of  quality data at various levels across the business; 

• The ability to influence and to provide constructive challenge which is accepted by others; 

• The ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; 

• Experience in that application of Quality basic and advanced tools & techniques (e.g. Histograms; SPC; Cause & Effect, Design of Experiments); 

• Pro-active and flexible, being prepared to plan and essential to work on own initiative across a broad range of issues to drive performance against all dimensions of the quality systems; 

• Fluent in verbal and written English language, preferably with some French or second language skills. 

• Has extensive experience working at a strategic level. 

Qualifications:  

• Member/Fellow Grade Member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and a Chartered Quality Practitioner; 

• Qualified to (preferably engineering) HNC/Diploma/C&G Graduate level as a minimum; 

• Formally recognised qualification in Quality, e.g, Diploma or Advanced diploma in Quality; 

• Qualified to Degree/Master Degree in a Quality Related Subject;  

• Formal Management Training e.g. Chartered Management Institute; ideally leading to Chartered Manager; 

• Registered as a Chartered Manager (C.Mgr.) 

• NEBOSH Certificate/Diploma (Role Specific);  

• CSWIP 3.2 Senior Welding Inspector (Role Specific);  

• Internationally recognised NDT Qualifications in Radiography; Dye Penetrant; Magnetic Particle; ultrasonics. Minimum Level III (Role Specific). 

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

• 🌍 Work on a landmark project
• ✈️ International exposure and collaboration
• 📈 Influence quality strategy at scale
• 💼 High-impact role within a global supply chain
• 🚀 Opportunity to leave a lasting legacy

Benefits include:
🛡️ Market Leading Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)
🏖️ 25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days
💼 Professional fees reimbursed
💰 Employee referral scheme
🤒 Competitive Sick Pay – Support when you need it
🏥 Income Protection & 3x Salary Death-in-Service Cover
💪 Free Digital Gym Access – Expert-led fitness classes
📞 24/7 Employee Support Line – Mental health, financial & legal help

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.