Production Engineer

Flight Test Quality Assurance Engineer – Fixed-Term Contract (22 Months)
Location: RAF Lossiemouth, with travel to Birmingham and Wiltshire
Industry: Tier 1 Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing
Job Type: Contract (Fixed-Term)
 
A leading Tier 1 aerospace and defence organisation is seeking a skilled and experienced Flight Test Quality Assurance Engineer to support the inspection, auditing, and quality assurance of a high-profile aircraft development and test programme.
This role will be based primarily at RAF Lossiemouth, supporting the flight test phase of aircraft production. The successful candidate will also be required to spend time at a major production facility in Birmingham and at a secondary test site in Wiltshire to support operational readiness and build knowledge of the platform.
Key Responsibilities:

Conduct inspections and quality assurance activities during the flight test phase of aircraft production.
Perform audits, line-side checks, and contribute to investigations in line with quality and safety standards.
Oversee non-conformance reports, input into QA-MRB processes, and provide expert guidance on corrective actions.
Engage in regulatory compliance verification and internal auditing against agreed audit plans.
Provide quality engineering oversight of aircraft systems and components, ensuring conformance to design and regulatory standards.
Facilitate continuous improvement and root cause analysis to drive operational excellence.
Act as a quality focal point between internal teams, contractors, and key stakeholders. Required Skills and Experience:

Minimum 3 years' experience in an aerospace or defence production environment.
Demonstrable experience in root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
Proven knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and regulatory compliance.
Ability to work independently at test and production facilities, with strong organisational and documentation skills.
SC clearance (or eligibility to obtain) is essential. Preferred Experience:

Background in Part 145, Part 21, or similar regulated aviation environments.
Exposure to flight testing, maintenance operations, or line support roles.
Understanding of data analytics tools and quality metrics.
Experience liaising with external regulatory bodies or defence clients