Naval Supplier Quality Engineer

To build our future, the best energy is ours!
Arabelle Solutions, part of the EDF Group, is a global leader in nuclear turbine island technologies, providing innovative low-carbon power solutions from the world’s most powerful operating steam turbine to modular SMR-optimized designs, along with generators, pumps, heat exchangers, and controls. Its technologies are used in one-third of nuclear power plants worldwide, supported by a team of 3,500 experts across 16 countries.

Our cultural pillars define how we work together: Team, Expertise, Ownership.
We collaborate fully and value the spirit of teamwork, where every skill is recognized to create innovative and effective solutions. Guided by safety and integrity in all we do, we take ownership of our actions and results.

Reporting into the UK Defence Quality Leader, the Supplier Quality Engineer will work within a diverse project team supporting the successful delivery of UK Defence projects. The role combines supplier-facing activities with office-based quality planning and execution, supporting both New Build and Spares & Services programmes.
This role requires both hands-on and office-based engagement, with duties varying according to project status, customer requirements, supplier performance, and issue resolution activities.
The role is based at our Rugby (Warwickshire) facility, with regular travel expected to suppliers, customer locations, and other company sites as required.

The Supplier Quality Engineer, supporting both New Build and Spares & Services projects, will be responsible for driving product qualification activities, supporting part and documentation quality activities at suppliers, organising witness and surveillance inspections, and managing non-conformities and quality improvement projects across the supply chain for the assigned product scope.

The successful candidate's primary internal stakeholders will be the UK Defence Project Quality and Sourcing teams, together with wider Project Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams.

Within this role, the successful candidate will initiate and execute supplier development activities and drive supplier quality performance to support successful procurement execution whilst meeting customer expectations for quality, cost, and delivery.

As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you must be self-motivated, possess excellent attention to detail, and be able to organise and prioritise workload with minimal supervision.

Key Accountabilities

• Onboarding and qualification of suppliers.
• Development and improvement of suppliers quality performance.
• Management of supplier audits and surveillance activities.
• Resolution of supplier non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Verification of product compliance against contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Achievement of project quality milestones and customer requirements.
• Supporting procurement and project OTD through effective Supplier Quality management.

Roles and Responsibilities

Work with Sourcing teams to define, agree, and communicate a roadmap for supplier development activities, identifying Supplier Quality tasks required to achieve business objectives and ensure supply chain performance.

Execute activities to drive quality, delivery, and compliance excellence within the supply chain for the assigned product scope. These activities will include, but are not limited to: -

Supplier Onboarding and Qualification

• Assess suppliers' Quality Management Systems through audits, including Nuclear Safety requirements where applicable.
• Assess suppliers' manufacturing capabilities through Technical Assessments (Manufacturing Process Audits).
• Review supplier processes, resources, competencies, and quality controls to ensure suitability for project requirements.
• Record associated action plans and approve supplier qualification requests within the Sourcing Supplier Portal.

Supplier Assessment and Development

• Attend pre-award meetings with suppliers and Sourcing/Engineering teams to agree quality requirements and expectations.
• Initiate and contribute to the Supplier Performance Rating process.
• Develop and manage supplier quality improvement plans.
• Support supplier capability development through structured continuous improvement activities.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement risk mitigation activities where required.

Supplier Surveillance and Inspection

• Ensure readiness for supplier kick-off meetings using approved checklists.
• Organise kick-off and pre-inspection meetings with suppliers and relevant Arabelle Solutions representatives.
• Review supplier quality documentation including Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), Inspection and Test Time Schedules (ITTS), control plans, manufacturing procedures, and test procedures.
• Coordinate Inspection and Test Time Schedules.
• Plan and conduct supplier surveillance activities to verify compliance with contractual, technical, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Support witness inspections and hold-point activities as defined by project requirements.
• Ensure product compliance with contract requirements and applicable regulations.

Product Release and Shipment

• Ensure all deviations, concessions, and punch-list items are satisfactorily closed.
• Review and approve supplier End of Manufacturing Reports (EOMRs).
• Verify that contractual, technical, and quality requirements have been met.
• Authorise shipment once all quality requirements have been achieved.

Management of Technical Deviations and Non-Conformities

• Continuously manage supplier non-conformities and punch-list items through to effective closure.
• Capture, record, and distribute supplier non-conformities as appropriate.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities with suppliers.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are implemented and verified for effectiveness.
• Monitor trends and recurring issues to support continual improvement activities.

Management of Supplier Audits

• Plan and initiate supplier audits where required.
• Conduct or support Quality Management System and Manufacturing Process audits.
• Monitor closure of actions resulting from qualification, surveillance, and audit activities.
• Record associated reports and action plans within the Sourcing Supplier Portal.
• Escalate significant supplier quality risks where necessary.

Required Qualifications

• HNC/HND, Degree, Apprenticeship, formal Quality qualification, or equivalent practical experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Quality disciplines.
• Extensive experience within a combination of Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Supplier Quality environments.
• Experience within Steam Turbine, Generator, Power Generation, Defence, Nuclear, Aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Working knowledge of Root Cause Analysis methodologies, including 8D.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Understanding of supplier quality assurance principles and manufacturing processes.

Desired Characteristics

• Customer focused, with the ability to establish priorities aligned to business and customer requirements.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations and influence stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• Understanding of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive quality improvements.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier development activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Effective negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Security Clearance Requirements

This role supports UK Defence programmes and is therefore subject to UK Security Clearance requirements.

The successful candidate must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of UK Security Clearance. Support will be provided for candidates requiring clearance sponsorship.

Due to the nature of the work and applicable export control regulations, applicants must be either a UK National; or a Dual National from a country approved under applicable UK Defence and ITAR regulations.

The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance throughout their employment.

To learn more about Arabelle Solutions’ footprint and the locations where we operate, please visit: https://www.arabellesolutions.com/

Join us and work with global teams to support global customers ! At Arabelle Solutions, we have team members of more than 49 nationalities spread across 16 countries.

At Arabelle Solutions, we know diversity makes teams and business stronger.