Principal Quality Engineer

PRINCIPAL QUALITY ENGINEER
High-Integrity, Regulated Manufacturing  NPI & Major Projects  Safety-Critical

This isn’t your standard quality role.
This isn’t just oversight.
This is principal-level ownership of quality across New Product Introduction and major, safety-critical projects.

If you’re a senior professional who thrives in regulated, high-integrity manufacturing, lives and breathes APQP and PPAP, and wants authority and impact at the highest level—this role is for you.

Your Mission As Principal Quality Engineer, you’ll be the technical quality leader across multiple projects, embedded within engineering and manufacturing teams. Your influence ensures that products are delivered right first time, fully compliant, and traceable from prototype to volume production.

You’ll:

Lead NPI and major project quality strategy

Oversee APQP delivery from concept through production

Own PPAP readiness, submission, and customer approval

Direct non-conformance investigations, containment, and corrective actions

Mentor and guide other engineers in quality execution

Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory compliance, and accreditation standards

Shape cross-functional teams with quality best practice and technical authority

What You Must Have Owned This is hands-on, accountable, end-to-end ownership:

Full APQP lifecycle leadership across complex projects

PPAP compilation, submission, and regulatory approval (typically Level
3)

NPI quality delivery from prototype to volume production

Non-conformance management, root cause investigation, and corrective action

Internal, external, and supplier audits

Hands-On Expertise You have practical mastery of:

Core quality tools: FMEA, MSA, SPC, capability studies

Statistical validation and analysis

Lifetime records, traceability, and material certification

Special processes (welding, NDE, coatings)

Engineering vs manufacturing controls in regulated environments

Ideal Sector Background You’ve operated in regulated, high-integrity sectors, such as:

Nuclear

Aerospace

Defence

Pressure equipment

Safety-critical industries

A strong safety culture, regulatory mindset, and nuclear or high-integrity experience is essential.

This Role Is Not For
Supplier quality roles without APQP leadership

Low-regulation or unregulated manufacturing

Theoretical APQP knowledge without proven project delivery

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