Head of Quality – Engineering

Job Title: Head of Quality – Engineering

Location: Warton, Hybrid, 3 days per week on site

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £74,100 plus performance bonus and car allowance

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

As Head of Quality – Engineering, you’ll lead the delivery of Quality Assurance activity across the Engineering function, providing leadership to a team of Quality professionals supporting multiple programmes, platforms and business areas.

Working closely with Engineering leaders and stakeholders across Air, you’ll ensure quality, governance and assurance activities are effectively deployed while driving continuous improvement, compliance and operational performance across the function. You’ll play a key role in supporting product capability development, quality strategy and business performance across a diverse portfolio of programmes.

Core duties:

• Lead and develop a team of Quality professionals supporting Engineering activities across Air
• Ensure quality, regulatory and assurance requirements are effectively deployed across the Engineering function, including oversight of Independent System Monitoring activities
• Lead the deployment and continuous improvement of quality governance frameworks, management systems and assurance processes
• Work with Engineering and programme stakeholders to identify improvement opportunities and enhance operational performance
• Lead quality investigations, root cause analysis and lessons learnt activities to support business and customer outcomes
• Support the development and delivery of Engineering quality strategy, ensuring alignment to functional and business objectives
• Monitor quality performance, risks and trends, using data and insight to drive improvement initiatives and inform decision-making across the function
• Work with the Head of Engineering Governance & Assurance to establish measures for process effectiveness and establish quality metrics across Engineering delivery activities

Essential Skills:

• HNC, degree or equivalent qualification in a technical discipline, or equivalent experience
• Experience leading Quality, Assurance or Continuous Improvement activities within a complex organisation
• Experience managing and developing teams within a technical, operational or engineering environment
• Experience implementing governance, assurance or compliance frameworks
• Experience using quality improvement methodologies, audit practices and root cause analysis techniques

The team:

The Quality team supports Engineering activities across a diverse portfolio of programmes and platforms, providing assurance, governance and continuous improvement expertise. The team works closely with Engineering leaders, programme teams and customers to ensure quality standards are maintained while supporting operational effectiveness and business performance.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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