Quality Engineer

Company: Smith & Nephew
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Job Description:

Overview

As a Quality Engineer, you lead quality performance for a Manufacturing Value Stream, applying SPC and data-driven metrics to drive process stability and continuous improvement. You partner with manufacturing, engineering and NPI teams to embed a culture of quality excellence and informed decision-making. You’ll tackle root-cause analyses, CAPA, and risk management to ensure compliant, high-quality devices. This role offers meaningful impact across the product lifecycle with opportunities to shape processes and outcomes.

Pay / Benefits

  • generous annual bonus
  • pension schemes
  • private health and dental plans
  • flexible vacation and paid holidays
  • paid volunteering hours
  • hybrid working model

Responsibilities

  • Act as Quality Lead for a specific Manufacturing Value Stream
  • Provide day-to-day quality engineering support to manufacturing and resolve nonconformances
  • Lead root cause analysis using Six Sigma and Lean tools (5 Why, Fishbone, DMAIC, 8D)
  • Establish and maintain process controls, inspection plans, and quality checkpoints
  • Conduct Measurement System Analysis (MSA) including Gage R&R studies
  • Use statistical analysis to identify trends and recommend preventive actions
  • Support change control, risk assessments, verification/validation, and documentation review
  • Evaluate quality impact of product/process changes ensuring regulatory compliance
  • Support readiness activities for new or updated products/processes
  • Maintain risk management files (PFMEA, DFMEA, hazard analysis) across lifecycle
  • Develop and execute validation plans for manufacturing processes, equipment, and inspection methods
  • Perform Cp, Cpk and contribute to DOE and experimental design
  • Act as subject matter expert during audits and support preparation
  • Lead or contribute to CAPA with root-cause verification of effectiveness
  • Ensure documentation aligns with GDP and regulatory expectations
  • Collect and interpret data on quality performance (scrap, defects, yields, complaints)
  • Prepare and present quality metrics to cross-functional stakeholders
  • Lead Six Sigma-based CI projects focusing on yield, defect reduction and process capability
  • Investigate returned products and customer complaints
  • Collaborate with suppliers, test labs, and engineering to resolve issues
  • Partner with Manufacturing, R&D, NPI, DQA, process engineering and QC to apply quality principles across lifecycle

Key requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related technical discipline
  • Experience in a regulated industry (medical devices preferred)
  • Experience applying Six Sigma tools (DMAIC, MSA, SPC, DOE, capability analysis)
  • Experience with MSA and Gage R&R studies
  • Experience with root cause analysis, validation, and risk management
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret technical data
  • Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Preferred Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification
  • 2–5 years of quality engineering experience in a regulated environment
  • Experience with CAPA ownership and statistical data analysis
  • Familiarity with design transfer and sustaining engineering processes
  • Effective communication
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Problem-solving mindset
  • Six Sigma (DMAIC, MSA, SPC, DOE)
  • Measurement System Analysis (Gage R&R)
  • Process capability analysis (Cp, Cpk)

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Posted: October 3rd, 2026