Lead Quality Engineer

Lead Quality Engineer

Join BAE Systems and be part of a team pioneering progress in defence, aerospace, and security solutions. We offer a hybrid working arrangement for this onsite role in Scotstoun, with flexibility available.

Job Description

This position involves leading quality assurance activities at the ship integration level and across the supply chain for T26 Combat Systems projects. You will ensure suppliers and operations teams deliver work right first time by facilitating complex problem-solving, identifying improvement opportunities, promoting effective processes and best practices, preparing reports, witnessing key events, and approving internal and supplier deliverables.

The role operates within a complex, dynamic environment requiring effective stakeholder management across BAE Systems, suppliers, and customers. Success depends on communication, prioritisation, initiative, and the ability to guide, influence, coach, and develop others to achieve quality, cost, and schedule objectives.

Core Duties:

• Lead complex problem-solving activities, engaging stakeholders across the business and supply chain, including senior leaders.
• Guide cross-functional project teams in applying processes, standards, and industry best practices effectively.
• Identify improvement opportunities and drive continuous improvement initiatives across business processes and products.
• Build solid, collaborative relationships with suppliers, influencing and engaging stakeholders up to executive level.
• Witness key project events, review outcomes, and approve deliverables to ensure quality and compliance.

Essential Skills:

• Experience/knowledge of quality management systems, the process approach, problem-solving, and standards such as ISO 9001 and AQAP within regulated environments.
• Confident communicator, able to engage stakeholders at all levels and adapt messages for reporting, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently, drive continuous improvement, and deliver results in demanding environments.
• Experience/knowledge of design requirements management, verification & validation, product lifecycle management, ideally within defence, manufacturing, engineering, or quality environments.

The T26 Combat & Complex Systems QA Team:

Join the T26 Combat & Complex Systems Quality Assurance team to collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams focused on the design and integration of complex systems, both on ship and in the supply chain, for hardware and software, across a broad variety of deliverables and challenges.

Why BAE Systems?

Build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to your needs, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. Our supportive culture embraces sustainable ways of working and fosters a strong sense of shared purpose, where you can belong and be proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Security & Export Control

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform. All applicants must, as a minimum, achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants typically must have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK, depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.