Lead APQP Supplier Quality Engineer
Job Description Summary
Our Quality Engineering team serves as the critical link between design, manufacturing, and customer delivery. We go beyond traditional inspection, embedding quality into every stage of the product lifecycle to build enduring confidence with customers and stakeholders. Through a proactive, prevention-focused mindset and data-driven decision-making, we strengthen capability, reduce risk, and deliver measurable operational and business improvements while maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance.*Due to National Security you must hold a UK passport for Security Clearance (SC) as UK EYES ONLY rules apply*
Job Description
As a Lead APQP Supplier Quality Engineer, you will be the technical authority for component and material quality across our supply chain. You will act as a Quality Methodology Subject Matter Expert (SME), bridging the gap between our internal engineering requirements and our suppliers' manufacturing capabilities. By driving strategic quality development and providing hands-on process oversight, you will ensure our supply base consistently meets our standards for safety, reliability, and performance.
This role is a highly complex, project driven environment which requires travel across the UK and Europe to lead onsite audits, process improvements, and supplier development initiatives.
Key responsibilities
- End-to-End APQP Leadership: Lead the full 5 phases APQP lifecycle with suppliers, spanning: Program Planning, Product/Process Design & Development, Validation, and Feedback/Assessment & Corrective Action.
- Supplier Audits & Compliance: Conduct comprehensive supplier assessments and audits to ensure strict compliance with international quality standards and drive proactive process alignment.
- Performance Management: Monitor key supplier performance metrics and lead the development and implementation of forward-looking improvement plans to resolve issues before they impact production.
- Strategic RCA: Drive robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and systemic corrective actions, prioritizing long-term process integrity and recurrence prevention over short-term containment.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Engineering, Sourcing, and Manufacturing to define and improve supplier quality processes, ensuring early-stage manufacturing readiness.
- NPI Excellence: Support New Product Introductions (NPI) by ensuring total supplier readiness, verification of component quality maturity, and process stability.
Candidate Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: Significant, proven experience in APQP and Supplier Quality within defence, aerospace, or similarly regulated industrial sectors (including familiarity with MoD interfaces).
- Technical Mastery: Advanced knowledge of core quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC), with the ability to critically evaluate and challenge process maturity and risk.
- Continuous Improvement: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Technical Literacy: Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and specifications.
- Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical skills with a track record of implementing 8D or similar systemic improvement methodologies.
- Influencing Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, both internally and at supplier sites.
- Travel: Able to travel for domestic and international travel (primarily within Europe) to supplier meetings up to 50% of your time.
- You must hold a UK passport for Security Clearance (SC) to be considered for this role and a full UK driving licence.
*Please note we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
What We Offer
At GE Vernova, we invest in your long-term success and wellbeing through a comprehensive, flexible benefits package designed to support what matters most to you.
Our Total Reward offering includes competitive compensation, a performance-related bonus, flexible pension with a 10 % employers’ contribution, employer-funded private health insurance, income protection, and life assurance. We support your time to recharge with 26 days of holiday, plus bank holidays.
Our 'Flex Choice' programme, you can take advantage of corporate benefits such as buying and selling holiday, a cycle-to-work scheme, financial planning, critical illness insurance, personal accident cover, dental cover, option to add family to a private health scheme, and travel insurance.
Why Join Us?
Join us at a pivotal time as we modernise our manufacturing capability and shape the future of quality across our Rugby operation. This is an opportunity to influence strategy, lead meaningful change, strengthen digital capability, and make a lasting impact on the performance, reliability, and integrity of products used in critical applications worldwide.
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: No