Supplier Quality Engineer

Location: West Yorkshire
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Travel: Max. 20 domestic, 5 international

About the Company
Our client is a globally recognised engineering organisation specialising in mechanical power transmission solutions for critical applications across defence and industrial sectors.

With a long-standing heritage and an international footprint, the business delivers high-quality, precision-engineered products into safety-critical environments, with a strong focus on reliability, compliance, and continuous improvement.

The Role
We are seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to join a multi-disciplinary quality team responsible for ensuring supplier performance, compliance, and continuous improvement across the supply chain.

You will work closely with Quality, Engineering, and Purchasing teams, supporting integrated project teams to ensure suppliers meet all technical, regulatory, and customer requirements.

This role plays a key part in maintaining product quality, driving supplier performance, and supporting delivery across complex engineering programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate, select, and monitor suppliers to ensure compliance with quality and technical requirements
• Conduct supplier audits to assess processes, products, and services against regulatory and customer standards
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvement through KPIs and corrective actions
• Manage supplier non-conformances, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions
• Support product and process validation activities, including on-site supplier verification
• Ensure compliance with quality and engineering standards (e.g. ISO9001, AQAP, DEFSTAN)
• Apply quality planning tools including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and MSA
• Maintain supplier quality documentation, reports, and inspection/test plans
• Raise and manage NCRs and supplier issues through internal systems, ensuring traceability and resolution
• Collaborate with internal teams to support project delivery and continuous improvement initiatives
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support long-term performance

Key Requirements
Experience and Knowledge

• Experience working within a Quality, Quality Assurance, or Quality Control role
• Background in an engineering or manufacturing environment
• Experience with ISO9001:2015 or equivalent quality management systems
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes and methodologies (APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, etc.)
• Experience managing non-conformances and applying root cause analysis techniques
• Ability to analyse data and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, heat treatment, welding, assembly, and testing
• Familiarity with complex mechanical components (e.g. gears, shafts, bearings, gearboxes)
• Experience using measurement systems and inspection techniques
• Competent in Microsoft Office and general reporting tools

Desirable

• Auditor certification (ISO9001 or equivalent)
• HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or similar
• Experience working within defence or highly regulated industries
• Knowledge of defence standards (AQAP, DEFSTAN, etc.)

Personal Attributes

• Strong problem-solving skills with a structured and analytical approach
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and suppliers
• Proactive and detail-oriented mindset
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to work within a highly regulated, safety-critical engineering environment
• Exposure to complex, high-precision mechanical systems
• Strong focus on training and development, including internal learning programmes
• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Opportunity to make a direct impact on supplier performance and product quality

Additional Information
This role is subject to security and export control restrictions. Candidates must meet UK Right to Work requirements, and eligibility may be impacted by nationality or previous nationality due to the nature of the work.