Quality Engineer in Ampthill, Bedfordshire

Quality Engineer

Ampthill, Bedfordshire

£45000 - £70000 p/a, bonus, benefits and BUPA

37.5 hour week, flexi working available

Lockheed Martin (UK) Ampthill is a rapidly changing, dynamic part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation with both domestic and international customers.

It consists of business areas focusing on Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects and Weapons, which provide a variety of products and services to the Ministry of Defence and other customers.

We are looking for talented individuals to join the company, in return we offer an exciting and challenging career path and excellent work/life balance with a 4 day week (Mon-Thurs) and flexible working arrangements.

The role:

As a Quality Engineer you will ensure all machining operations produce components that consistently meet design intent, compliance, and customer specifications.

You will provide technical quality support across all machining disciplines, drive continuous‑process improvement and act as the main point of contact for quality control, inspection, and compliance matters within the workshop.

Key Responsibilities

• Process & Product Validation - define and validate machining process flows, inspection plans, and metrology requirements for new parts and batches.
• Quality Assurance & Control - manage defects and drive corrective actions in accordance with AS9100.
• Support Capability & Statistical Control - support the calculation of CP, CPK, LSL/USL, and other SPC metrics.
• Root Cause Analysis - Lead RCCA for quality incidents and implement corrective/action plans.
• Documentation & Reporting - Produce and maintain comprehensive quality documentation and KPIs.
• Continuous Improvement - Champion initiatives; mentor operators on quality centric practices.
• Compliance - Support audit activities and maintenance of certifications (AS9100)
• Cross Functional Collaboration - Work closely with Engineering, Production, and Tooling teams to resolve design to manufacturing challenges.
• Key Deliverables
• A verified inspection SOP for each new component.
• Monthly CP/CPK trend reports and actions.
• Root‑cause analysis logs with action‑item close‑
• Audit‑ready documentation and evidence packages.

Skills required:

• 3-5 years in a machining environment in a quality engineering or quality control capacity. Experience with high‑precision aerospace or automotive parts is highly desirable.
• Possess detailed knowledge and proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct root‑cause analysis (5‑why, fishbone, FMEA) and drive actionable improvements.
• Works autonomously under limited supervision; collaborates effectively (Stakeholder Management) with operators, engineers, and supplier quality engineers
• Clear verbal and written communication; ability to produce concise technical reports for non‑technical audiences.
• Lead or internal audit qualified

Desirable skills

• Knowledge of SAP Quality Management module
• Greenbelt or Blackbelt
• Experience of quality engineering in an electrical cable environment
• Personal Attributes
• Detail‑oriented - meticulous in measurements and documentation.
• Proactive - initiates quality improvements before defects surface.
• Adaptable - thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced machining environment and able to adapt to additional work packages.
• Demonstrates strong teamwork skills, collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams to achieve shared objectives

Lockheed Martin is committed to upholding principles of equal opportunity, fostering a work environment that is aligned with our core values of integrity, respect, and exceptional performance. We recognize the importance of leveraging the unique talents and experiences of all our employees to drive innovation, deliver superior solutions, and maximize value for our customers. Our focus is on identifying the most qualified candidate for each role, regardless of their background. If you are interested in a position, we invite you to share how your skills and perspectives could bolster our team and encourage you to apply, even if you feel your qualifications do not fully meet all the job criteria outlined in our advertisement. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive for all individuals. We are prepared to accommodate reasonable adjustments for applicants as needed. If you require assistance or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact or call 02392 415270.

Disclaimer

This vacancy is being advertised by Optamor Limited. Optamor is a specialist Recruitment Process Outsourcing provider. We provide a flexible full recruitment solution which takes care of all recruitment requirements from planning to on-boarding. Our specialist recruitment divisions cover the entire technical arena, including some of the most economically and strategically important industries in the UK and the world today. We will never send your CV without your permission.