Principal Quality Engineer (Quality Management Lead)

We are recruiting Principal Quality Engineers (PQEs) to support the Sizewell C (SZC) project — a proposed new nuclear power station that will play a major role in reducing UK carbon emissions.

As a PQE, you will ensure that quality requirements are met across the full nuclear project lifecycle, from contract award through design, procurement, manufacturing, testing, shipping, construction, commissioning and contract close‑out. You will help deliver the project right first time by embedding high-quality standards throughout.

Role Overview

PQEs support projects within Matrix Multi‑Discipline Teams (MDTs), providing quality assurance, management and control. You will ensure suppliers and clients meet their contractual quality obligations, develop Project Quality Control Plans, and manage related inspection and surveillance activities.

You will also support wider programme quality arrangements, including Manufacturing Inspection and Test Plans, Lifetime Quality Records (LTQRs), Non‑Conformance management, Root Cause Analysis and auditing. This may involve working on client sites or at subcontractor facilities in the UK or overseas.

Acting as the “Intelligent Customer,” you will help ensure that manufactured equipment and construction works comply with contract designs and technical specifications, always upholding the highest nuclear safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of QA/QC arrangements across SZC.
• Identify and conduct supplier audits, and close out findings.
• Manage quality execution and support supplier technical assessments.
• Oversee manufacturing and construction surveillance.
• Manage non-conformances and Quality Release Certificate processes.
• Drive improvements in quality implementation across the project.

Primary Accountabilities

• Review, accept and monitor Contractors’ Quality Assurance Plans (CQAPs).
• Produce and implement Project Quality Control Plans.
• Ensure deployment of key contractual quality arrangements (GQAS, LTQRs, ITP specifications).
• Guide contractors on quality requirements and project-specific arrangements.
• Lead LTQR reviews and support progressive records submission.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams, suppliers and inspection bodies.
• Ensure supplier Inspection & Test Plans are fit for purpose and properly reviewed.
• Establish, check and monitor inspection and witness points.
• Coordinate documentation reviews and inspection activities with inspection entities.
• Lead NNB reviews of manufacturing and construction documentation.
• Perform inspections, surveillance and audits when needed.
• Support resolution of non‑conformances and corrective actions.
• Review End of Manufacturing / Construction / Erection status reports.
• Lead delivery of end‑of‑manufacturing records and quality release of equipment.
• Produce quality documentation (specifications, procedures) as required.

Secondary Accountabilities

• Implement the programme’s quality execution plan, ensuring efficient supplier delivery.
• Identify potential quality issues early and support mitigation.
• Ensure supplier QC requirements are clearly defined in ITT documentation.
• Monitor and ensure correct application of quality management processes.