Inspection team leader

Location: Melbourn, Cambridgeshire Job type: Permanent, full time Salary: Up to £41,000 per annum, dependent on experience

The role

We are recruiting an Inspection Team Leader on behalf of a well-established, specialist precision manufacturing business based in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire. Operating within a highly regulated environment with AS9100 and NADCAP accreditation, this is a business with a strong reputation for quality and technical excellence.

Reporting into the quality function, you will organise and develop the inspection team to ensure parts are inspected at the required stages of manufacture to the relevant documentation, meeting quality and customer standards to achieve on-time delivery targets. You will also plan, organise, and run the calibration system to ensure all internal and external items in service are calibrated and identifiable. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines technical inspection expertise with team management responsibility.

Main responsibilities

• Manage the inspection team to meet operational requirements in line with ISO9001/AS9100 and customer quality standards
• Inspect work-in-progress and final products against applicable requirements and configuration at the relevant stages of manufacture
• Programme and run Faro Arms with laser scanners using Polyworks
• Carry out inline process and product inspections throughout the facility
• Raise non-conformance reports in accordance with the quality system
• Organise the collection and release of measuring instruments for internal and external calibration
• Organise MSA, SPC, and Gauge R&R studies
• Conduct and support problem-solving activities using 5-Why and 8D methodologies
• Advise on, design, and support the development of new product inspection tooling and methods
• Actively participate with auditors when the inspection and calibration system is being audited
• Participate in safety improvement activities

Skills/experience

Essential:

• Engineering background with previous inspection experience
• Ability to interpret technical documentation including drawings, specifications, and procedures
• Competent with Polyworks, Faro Arms, and 3D scanning
• Experience in root cause analysis using 5-Why and 8D methodologies
• Good understanding of GD&T
• Experience using standard measuring equipment including Vernier callipers, micrometres, and plug gauges
• Good knowledge of ISO9001 and AS9100
• Computer literate with competence in Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, and Minitab
• Effective communication skills with a good standard of written and spoken English
• Must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship

Desirable:

• Previous team leader experience
• Mechanical engineering background
• CMM and/or Faro arm experience using PC-DMIS or Polyworks

Salary & working hours

• Salary: Up to £41,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Hours: Full time, with flexibility to support business needs when required

Benefits

• Excellent pension and life assurance scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Holiday buy and sell options
• Health cash plan scheme
• Employee discount scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Career and development opportunities
• Free on-site parking

If the position of Inspection Team Leader is of interest, please click Apply. We aim to respond to all applicants; however, if you haven’t heard from us within 10 days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you have any questions regarding this Inspection Team Leader role, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

INDENGINEERING

• Hold full accountability for maintaining all relevant special process accreditations, including audit management, non-conformance closure, and procedure alignment
• Act as the definitive internal subject matter expert for all special processes, managing relationships with external stakeholders including suppliers and customer technical experts
• Lead, mentor, and develop special process engineers, overseeing daily activities and performance
• Create, review, and approve all internal procedures, data sheets, and return-to-service authorisations for special process equipment
• Support the Head of Quality and Continuous Improvement on critical customer escapes and lead root cause investigations into high-cost non-conformances
• Act as core technical adviser to the Material Review Board for all special process-related topics
• Execute internal special process audit plans, manage NCR dispositions, and oversee REACH compliance
• Serve as the Special Process lead for New Product Introduction projects and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Contribute to strategic planning and propose CAPEX-backed improvements with supporting financial justifications
• Deputise for the Head of Quality and Continuous Improvement as required

• Degree, HNC, or HND in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemical Processing, or a related engineering discipline
• Solid understanding of aerospace or high-performance materials including Titanium, Nickel alloys, Stainless Steel, and Aluminium
• Proven technical experience in one or more of the following: Chemical Processing, Heat Treatment, Welding, NDT, or Non-Conventional Machining
• Extensive knowledge of NADCAP requirements with direct experience hosting or supporting NADCAP audits
• Strong understanding of AS9100 and related quality management standards
• Proven experience interpreting engineering drawings and specifications, with knowledge of quality tools including FAIRs, PFMEAs, PPAP, and production permits and concessions
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing engineering personnel
• A pragmatic approach to technical problem-solving, balanced with strong commercial awareness
• Competent across MS Office, with a working knowledge of ERP and QMS systems
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage external stakeholders including auditors and customer technical experts

• Salary: Up to £56,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday