Principal Quality Engineer (Quality Management Lead)

Company Description

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements.

Assystem mobilizes 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions.

🤝 Why Join the Community of Switchers? As one of the top three nuclear engineering companies globally, Assystem offers unparalleled opportunities to work on some of the most significant nuclear projects in the world. Join our community and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of clean energy, while benefiting from a dynamic, collaborative work environment.

Job Description

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.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Background in large, complex and highly regulated environments—ideally in nuclear or similarly regulated sectors—with strong focus on project quality and expertise in a relevant engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, I&C, fabrication).
• Strong understanding of Quality Assurance and Quality Control across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction and commissioning.
• Knowledge of the nuclear sector (preferably new build) and familiarity with Licence Conditions LC6, LC17 and ONR TAG 077 is desirable.
• Clear understanding of quality management best practice for deployment in large, complex, contract-led organisations.
• Confident communicator with strong presentation skills, comfortable engaging with individuals, small groups and large audiences.
• Experience ensuring compliance with national and international standards such as GS‑R‑3, ISO 9001, ISO 19443, ISO 3834 and EN10204.
• Proven ability to plan and conduct internal and supplier audits.
• Able to carry out unsupervised inspections to appropriate standards (e.g., pressurised systems).
• Experienced in reviewing quality records (e.g., material certification, CFSI) and analysing quality data across an organisation.
• Experience managing people or leading teams.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder‑engagement skills, able to constructively challenge and build relationships with internal teams, suppliers and wider project stakeholders.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; French or another second language is an advantage.
• Experience interacting with regulators such as the ONR is desirable.
• Knowledge of improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma is desirable.
• Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels.

Qualifications

• Member or Chartered Member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) is desirable.
• Minimum of an HNC/HND, Diploma or equivalent (preferably engineering discipline).
• Formal qualification in Quality (e.g., Diploma in Quality).
• IRCA Registered Lead Auditor (role‑specific requirement).
• AS13000 8D problem‑solving or Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher) is desirable.

Additional Information

🌟 Why Apply?

Join Assystem and be part of the energy transition, working on one of the most significant nuclear projects in the world. You’ll gain valuable experience, collaborate with international teams, and play a crucial role in shaping the future of energy engineering.

• 🌍 Work on a landmark project
• ✈️ International exposure and collaboration
• 📈 Influence quality strategy at scale
• 💼 High-impact role within a global supply chain
• 🚀 Opportunity to leave a lasting legacy

Benefits include:

🏡 Hybrid Working Opportunity

🕒 Flexible working hours - ²⁄₃ days per week in the Bristol office

🛡️ Market Leading Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)

🏖️ 25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days

💼 Professional fees reimbursed

💰 Employee referral scheme

🤒 Competitive Sick Pay – Support when you need it

🏥 Income Protection & 3x Salary Death-in-Service Cover

💪 Free Digital Gym Access – Expert-led fitness classes

📞 ²⁴⁄₇ Employee Support Line – Mental health, financial & legal help

🌟 Join us to shape the future of energy engineering with a global leader in nuclear projects. Apply now and become a part of our innovative team!

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES ON RECRUITMENT FRAUD - We are committed to safeguarding candidates from fraudulent activity associated with our recruitment process. Please note that we will never offer specialist CV writing services, request payment or ask for sensitive personal information during the recruitment process.

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.