Job Description

Job Location: UK - Crawley - West Sussex

Employment type

:

FTC 6 months with view to extending to 3 years

About this opportunity

Acron Aviation Training Systems play a key role on delivering the Acron Aviation Solutions mantra of 'Creating Safer Skies'. From our computer-based solutions all the way to our state-of-the-art Full Flight Simulators (FFS), improving the training experiencing and creating safer skies is at the heart of everything we do. Our Fixed Training Devices (FTD) and FFS feature aircraft-specific flight decks, offering the form, fit, feel, and function of the actual aircraft.

The

Lead Quality Engineer

will be a key driver in improving the quality of the products and services offered to our customers.


This role will focus on management of processes within the QMS, Supplier Quality Management and continuous improvement through the application of Lean methodologies.


The successful candidate will work closely with other functions, suppliers and customers to ensure that quality standards are met, while also identifying and implementing improvements that reduce waste and defects, driving down costs and improving operational efficiency.

Our benefits package includes:

25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with long service and with the opportunity to buy/sell up to 5 days Private medical insurance with optional family cover Pension scheme of up to 7% employer contribution Life Assurance 4x salary (flexible up to 10x) Group income protection Flexible opt-in extras such as a health care cash plan, dental insurance, gym membership, critical illness cover and cycle to work scheme Employee assistance program providing mental health and wellbeing support Subsidised staff restaurant Staff car park incl. electric vehicle charging stations

Key Responsibilities:

Ensure the QMS is effectively implemented and maintained in compliance with ISO9001:2015, and other relevant standards. Conduct internal and external audits, ensuring corrective actions are implemented to maintain certification and compliance with regulatory and customer requirements. Lead efforts to minimize the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through proactive quality management and process improvements. Champion the use of Lean methodologies (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, and Continuous Improvement) to identify and eliminate waste in processes and reduce the overall cost of quality. Lead supplier development activities to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance, including new supplier qualification, on-boarding, auditing and general liaison. Collaborate closely with Procurement, Engineering, and Production to ensure alignment on supplier quality expectations, COPQ reduction, and continuous improvement goals. Assess supplier First Articles to ensure they meet quality requirements and standards. Analyze quality metrics and defect analysis, to quantify and reduce COPQ across engineering, production and the supply chain. Perform safety audits and hold safety reviews to address product safety concerns. Work with other functions and our suppliers to identify root causes of quality issues and implement corrective and preventative actions that reduce defects, rework, and scrap. Ensure that internal and supplier corrective actions are robust, sustainable, and aligned with Lean principles for long-term improvements in quality and cost efficiency. Support efforts to identify and mitigate risks that could impact quality, schedule, or cost. Maintain clear and accurate documentation of quality audits, non-conformance reports, corrective actions, and improvement projects. Prepare and present regular reports to senior management.

Qualifications and Skills:

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree or HNC in Quality, Manufacturing or Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related field) or equivalent experience. Minimum of 5 years' experience in a Quality Engineering role, with ideally a focus on supplier quality and experience in COPQ reduction, preferably within aerospace or manufacturing industries. Proven experience in applying Lean principles (e.g., Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, 5S) to improve processes and reduce waste. Certified Auditor (ISO9001) preferable.

Technical Skills:

Strong knowledge of quality management systems (ISO9001:2015) and their application Expertise in the use of quality tools such as root cause analysis, FMEA, 8D, and COPQ analysis. Familiarity with Lean tools and techniques for continuous improvement, waste reduction, and cost savings. Experience with quality management software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is a plus.

Soft Skills:

Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, particularly in identifying and addressing the root causes of quality issues. Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and suppliers. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive change, and manage relationships.

Working Environment:

This position will require mainly office and production shop floor work with occasional site visits to supplier facilities. Some travel may be required to support supplier audits, quality assessments, and improvement initiatives.

Please note: All candidates who wish to be considered for this vacancy must have the right to work in the UK.