Lead Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Lead Quality Assurance Engineer

Location: Barrow-In-Furness or Sheffield – Hybrid, (Occasional travel to the alternative site as and when required) additional travel at least once or twice a month within the UK or overseas, including India and USA to suppliers and other BAE sites

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: £54,490 (minimum)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

You’ll play a key role in driving quality excellence across advanced weapon systems programmes, supporting the development, manufacture and delivery of highly detailed defence products. Working across the full quality lifecycle, you’ll oversee quality planning, audits, risk assessment and continuous improvement activities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and business frameworks such as ISO quality systems.

Collaborating closely with supplier and project teams across multiple sites, you’ll help strengthen processes, improve performance and support successful programme delivery. This role offers exposure to strategic quality activities, leadership opportunities and the potential to grow into a Quality Manager position within an expanding and high-impact environment and training qualifications.

Core duties:

• Guiding multi-faceted quality activities across the full lifecycle, ensuring compliance with quality systems, policies and standards
• Conducting internal and supplier audits, supporting supplier performance, risk mitigation and adherence to industry requirements
• Overseeing non-conformance investigations and quality reviews, implementing preventative actions to improve operational performance
• Supporting continuous improvement strategies, promoting a Forward-thinking quality culture across projects, suppliers and manufacturing teams
• Maintaining quality documentation and reporting within business systems, ensuring accurate records and compliance across programmes

Essential Skills:

• Qualified to HNC, HND or Degree level, or equivalent practical experience within quality environments
• Experience working in a quality-focused role, supporting compliance, audits and continuous improvement activities
• Demonstratable supplier audit experience, with ample understanding of ISO 9001 quality standards and requirements
• Experience using ERP systems such as SAP to oversee quality data, records and reporting processes
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma and risk mitigation techniques, with experience mentoring or supporting colleagues

The Platforms and Services sector, Weapon Systems

As part of BAE Systems Platforms and Services sector, Weapon Systems (UK) designs, develops, manufactures and supports artillery systems, naval guns, and provides engineering capability to the wider BAE Systems business. Our global reach brings our customers a depth and breadth of expertise that meet critical needs in the air, on land, and at sea. Our mission strives for us to be our customer’s trusted and affordable weapons provider, delivering enhanced effects on target and complete mission solutions. We are looking for innovation, commitment and drive to help define the future of Weapon Systems capabilities.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 21st May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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