Senior Quality Engineer (QML)

⚡️💡 About Assystem

At Assystem, our mission is to accelerate the energy transition worldwide. With over 55 years of expertise in highly regulated sectors, our 7,500 Switchers globally deliver cutting-edge engineering and project management solutions. Join us and be part of one of the top three nuclear engineering companies in the world!

🤝 Why Join the Community of Switchers?

As a member of Assystem, you'll be part of a team driving the low-carbon energy future. We’re ranked second globally in nuclear engineering, offering you the chance to work on world-class projects like Hinkley Point C. Together, we’ll innovate and shape tomorrow’s energy solutions.

Job Purpose

The Senior Quality Engineer (SQE) supports Client Projects operating within Matrix Multi‑Discipline Teams (MDTs) by delivering quality management and control services.

Their primary purpose is to provide evidence that the Client and supply chain are meeting all contracted quality requirements.

Their secondary purpose is to support Client Programmes in applying project-wide quality arrangements, and ensuring any project‑specific requirements are established and implemented. This includes activities such as Manufacturing Inspection and Test (MIT) Plans, Life‑Time Quality Records, NCR facilitation, Root Cause Analysis, and Audits. Work may take place on Client Sites or at UK and overseas subcontractor facilities.

The SQE works closely with project functions and the supply chain to ensure quality is delivered consistently—safely, efficiently, and right first time—while upholding Nuclear Safety at all times.

Dimensions (Contextual Information)

• Acting as an embedded member of the Programme/Project, the SQE supports the application of defined quality activities to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Ensures quality arrangements are clearly defined to enable safe, efficient, right‑first‑time delivery from project inception to operational handover, including management of Life‑Time Quality Records (LTQR).
• Maintains Project Quality Plans and MIT Plans in a consistent format.
• Conducts surveillance and inspection activities at Client Sites and subcontractor facilities.
• Provides guidance on acceptability criteria and identifies any reduction in product quality.
• Captures and analyses quality performance data to feed into management reporting.
• Manages the non‑conformance process, driving preventative actions and facilitating timely NCR closure while maximising project‑wide learning.
• Contributes to planning and leads workstream and cross‑project audits as required.

Principal Accountabilities

The Senior Quality Engineer is accountable to the Client for:

• Delivering day‑to‑day quality management activities in line with Client direction, personal objectives, or Task Orders.
• Reviewing quality records to provide oversight and assurance that quality requirements are met by the supply chain and MDT.
• Supporting the development and review of Programme Quality Delivery Arrangements and MIT Plans.
• Participating in the review and acceptance of supply‑chain Quality Plans and Inspection & Test Plans.
• Leading establishment of effective manufacturing/site surveillance programmes aligned with identified risks.
• Leading surveillance activities in accordance with MIT Plans.
• Ensuring appropriate controls for Quality Records and End‑of‑Reports from subcontractors.
• Supporting NCR closeout, including Root Cause Analysis and preventative action deployment.
• Supporting Client and subcontractor auditors by aiding prompt resolution of audit findings.
• Ensuring effective participation in programme/project risk, opportunity, and lessons‑learned reviews.
• Supporting investigations into quality issues.
• Providing regular quality reporting covering:
  • product and process quality performance;
  • non‑conformance status, including root cause and repeat events;
  • supply chain capability, readiness, and performance;
  • quality records performance, backlog, and right‑first‑time (RFT) status.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Experience working in large project environments, ideally within the nuclear or other heavily regulated sectors
• Strong knowledge in product/project quality and relevant engineering discipline knowledge.
• Experience in managing people or teams.
• Experience in the Nuclear Sector.
• A dynamic team leader and team player with a strong understanding of quality control principles and project process management.
• Experience ensuring compliance with national and international standards, such as GS‑R‑3, ISO 9001, ISO 19443, ISO 3834, EN 10204.
• Practical knowledge of Licence Conditions LC6 and LC17, and ONR TAG 077.
• Experience planning and conducting internal and supplier audits.
• Ability to carry out inspections to relevant standards (e.g., pressurised systems).
• Experience reviewing quality records such as material certification and CFSI documentation.
• Strong ability to analyse quality data at multiple levels across the business.
• Confident influencing skills with the ability to offer constructive challenge that is well‑received.
• Ability to build strong, effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Hands‑on experience using quality tools and techniques (e.g., histograms, SPC, cause & effect).
• Proactive, flexible, and able to work independently across a wide range of quality‑related issues to drive performance.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; French or another second language is an advantage.

Qualifications:

• Apprenticeship in an Engineering discipline.
• Qualified to HNC / Diploma / City & Guilds Licentiateship level or above, preferably in engineering.
• Practitioner‑grade Member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) or equivalent professional engineering institute.
• Formally recognised qualification in Quality

Role‑specific qualifications (as applicable):

• IRCA Registered Lead Auditor (required for auditing-focused roles).
• CSWIP 3.2 Senior Welding Inspector (required for welding inspection roles).
• Internationally recognised NDT certifications in Radiography, Dye Penetrant Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing, and Ultrasonics — minimum Level II (Level III desirable) (required for NDT-focused roles).

Why Join Us?

• 🌍 Work on a landmark project
• ✈️ International exposure and collaboration
• 📈 Influence quality strategy at scale
• 💼 High-impact role within a global supply chain
• 🚀 Opportunity to leave a lasting legacy

Benefits include:

🏡 Hybrid Working Opportunity

🕒 Flexible working hours - 2/3 days per week in the Bristol office 

🛡️ Market Leading Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)

🏖️ 25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days

💼 Professional fees reimbursed

💰 Employee referral scheme

🤒 Competitive Sick Pay – Support when you need it

🏥 Income Protection & 3x Salary Death-in-Service Cover

💪 Free Digital Gym Access – Expert-led fitness classes

📞 24/7 Employee Support Line – Mental health, financial & legal help

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.