Position Overview

Join our growing team as a Quality Engineer, responsible for leading and continuously improving the quality assurance function within a high-precision CNC machining environment.

You will be at the forefront of managing inspection processes, collaborating with internal stakeholders and customers, and ensuring compliance with aerospace and defense standards.

Over the next 12–24 months, you’ll also play a critical role in programming and operating our CMM systems, laying the groundwork for a dedicated inspection team as the business scales.

Key Responsibilities

1. Inspection Leadership & Metrology

Oversee the day-to-day inspection operations across manual and automated processes.

Program, set up, and operate Zeiss Duramax CMM and Hexagon Absolute Arm for dimensional inspections.

Validate first article and in-process inspections, ensuring measurement accuracy and compliance with tolerances.

Review inspection results (CMM and manual) and certification paperwork, flagging discrepancies and trends.

Collaborate closely with CAM programmers and machinists to resolve quality issues and optimize processes.

2. New Production Introduction (NPI) & Process Validation

Own and drive the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for key customers, particularly in aerospace and defense sectors.

Support first article inspections (FAI) and process capability studies during new job setups.

Provide feedback on manufacturability, inspection planning, and risk mitigation during the job onboarding phase.

3. Compliance & Quality Management Systems

Act as the internal expert for ISO 9001 and AS9100D standards in the production environment.

Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), control plans, and quality documentation.

Lead internal audits, manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and support external audits or customer assessments.

Deliver ongoing training for production teams on quality expectations, procedures, and best practices.

4. Customer Quality Interface & Requirements Management

Serve as the primary liaison for customer-specific quality requirements and expectations.

Translate complex customer quality documentation into actionable internal processes and controls.

Develop sampling plans, deviation processes, and quality gates for key customer programs.

Ensure seamless integration of customer-driven quality requirements into the Summers Engineering QMS.

Qualifications & Attributes

Required:

Background in precision manufacturing, aerospace, or medical device sectors.

Familiarity with CNC machining processes, GD&T, and dimensional inspection tools.

Working knowledge of ISO9001 and/or AS9100D quality systems.

Preferred:

Experience managing PPAP or FAI processes.

Experience with CMM programming (preferably Zeiss Calypso) or strong willingness to learn.

Knowledge of MSA, SPC, and root cause analysis tools (5-Why, Fishbone, etc.).

Strong communication skills with a customer-centric mindset.

Soft Skills:

Highly analytical and detail-oriented.

Hands-on problem-solver who enjoys being on the shop floor.

Organised, self-motivated, and capable of leading cross-functional initiatives.

Growth Opportunity

This role will evolve as the business scales. Over time, the successful candidate will help establish a dedicated quality department, mentoring junior inspectors and supporting the implementation of advanced metrology systems. You will directly contribute to Summers Engineering’s journey toward world-class quality and operational excellence.