Head of Quality

We’re looking for a Head of Quality to build and lead the quality function for a growing UK defence business developing high-performance hardware for demanding, regulated applications.

This is a hands-on leadership role rather than an inherited quality function. You’ll establish the QMS, embed quality throughout engineering and manufacturing, develop supplier quality and traceability, and build the processes needed to support products moving from development into scaled production.

Skills & Experience
Essential:

• Significant quality leadership experience within aerospace, defence or another regulated hardware environment
• Proven experience building or substantially developing a QMS, rather than solely maintaining an established system
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001
• Experience supporting hardware products from prototype through to production
• Supplier quality management, auditing and supply-chain traceability
• Incoming, in-process and final inspection processes
• Non-conformance, CAPA and continuous improvement
• Internal auditing and audit readiness
• Experience embedding practical quality processes across engineering and manufacturing
• Comfortable operating hands-on while establishing a quality function from the ground up
• SC Eligibility (Dual British & NATO Nationalities considered)

Desirable:

• Electronics, electromechanical or other complex hardware manufacturing experience
• First Article Inspection (FAI)
• FMEA, control plans, SPC and APQP
• Product compliance and technical documentation
• Experience working with external test or certification bodies
• Defence/aerospace supply-chain provenance requirements
• CQI, Lead Auditor or similar professional qualification
• Previous experience building and developing a quality team
• Comfortable working in a less structured environment

Additional Information

• Permanent, full-time position
• Competitive salary depending on experience
• Reading based, onsite
• Senior leadership position with significant ownership
• Opportunity to establish the quality function and QMS from an early stage
• Scope to build and lead a wider quality team as manufacturing scales
• Security clearance eligibility may be required for some programmes