Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

Senior Quality Assurance Engineer Location: Portsmouth Rate: £36.00 p/h (Inside IR35, Umbrella) Contract: 12 Months (with strong likelihood of extension) Hours: 37 per week Role Summary The Senior Quality Assurance Engineer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all products delivered from Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. This position leads preventative quality initiatives, drives continuous improvement, and ensures robust management of non‑conformance across the production environment. Key Responsibilities Defines and executes Quality Assurance (QA) activities to ensure processes and procedures are correctly implemented and product quality meets all requirements. Leads quality improvement initiatives and preventative actions within AIT processes. Manages corrective and preventative actions through to full and effective closure. Drives efficient non‑conformance management and supports reduction of Cost of Non‑Quality. Develops and maintains the Quality Surveillance Plan (QSP) in line with project needs. Produces clear inspection instructions and requests additional inspections when required. Chairs key project gate reviews, ensuring all actions are completed (e.g., MRR, IRR, TRR, DRB, PSR, SRR). Creates and supports Key Inspection Plans and Mandatory Inspection Plans. Prepares incoming inspection plans and checklists. Reviews AIT work instructions for technical accuracy, inspection requirements, verification points, and configuration status. Manages NCRs using structured problem‑solving tools and ensures robust closure using PPS techniques. Chairs Internal Review Boards (IRB) and coordinates cross‑functional teams. Ensures lessons learned and near‑miss actions are captured and implemented. Supports daily SQCDP performance dialogue, driving KPIs and operational priorities. Provides regular reports to functional and project management, including monthly Quality KPI reporting. Acts as the QA focal point for all critical movements within the production facility. Required Skills & Experience Essential HND in a relevant engineering discipline Proven experience in Quality Assurance Experience within the Defence or Aerospace sector Desirable Degree in a relevant field This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan