Quality Engineer Recruitment

At QAagency, we specialise in recruiting Quality Engineers across the UK for industries where precision, compliance, and process control are non-negotiable. Whether it’s advanced manufacturing, pharma, or renewable energy, we help businesses find engineers who can drive efficiency, reduce defects, and maintain the highest quality standards.

Quality Engineers are integral to ensuring that processes and products meet exacting technical and regulatory requirements. From designing robust quality management systems (QMS) to leading root cause investigations and coordinating audits, they sit at the intersection of engineering, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Quality Engineers typically:

• Develop and refine QMS frameworks to meet ISO and industry-specific standards
• Lead internal and supplier audits, often to ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or ISO 13485 standards
• Conduct root cause analysis and deploy corrective and preventative actions (CAPA)
• Analyse quality data, run process capability studies, and drive Six Sigma initiatives
• Support production and design teams with DFMEA, PFMEA, and process validation
• Deliver training on SOPs, quality protocols, and continuous improvement tools

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Salaries for Quality Engineers in 2025

Based on our recent placements and discussions with employers across multiple sectors, here’s how salaries for Quality Engineers are shaping up this year:

• London & South East: £46,000 – £51,000
• Midlands: £42,000 – £47,000
• North West & Yorkshire: £39,000 – £44,000
• Scotland & Northern Ireland: £36,000 – £41,000

Candidates with experience in regulated industries (e.g. medical, aerospace, pharma) and those with Six Sigma, audit, or supplier development responsibilities tend to sit at the upper end of these ranges.

Where Quality Engineers Work

We recruit Quality Engineers across a wide range of industries, each with its own compliance frameworks and manufacturing complexities:

• Automotive & Aerospace – ensuring component traceability, managing PPAP submissions, and delivering to AS9100 and IATF standards
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices – implementing GMP protocols, running validation trials, and meeting MHRA or FDA compliance
• Manufacturing & Precision Engineering – improving OEE, scrap rates, and line yield
• Energy & Infrastructure – supporting nuclear, renewable, and utility projects with robust QA documentation and oversight
• Construction & Materials – overseeing the quality of concrete, steelwork, and modular construction systems

These sectors demand engineers who can work across disciplines, communicate clearly with production, design, and supplier teams, and balance technical rigour with practical application.

Evolving Role of the Quality Engineer

In 2025, the Quality Engineer role is more technical and data-driven than ever. With Industry 4.0 in full swing, engineers are now expected to work with automated inspection systems, statistical software, and cloud-based QMS tools. Sustainability has also emerged as a key theme, with companies under pressure to prove that their quality systems support greener operations.

At the same time, global supply chains have added complexity. Engineers must be able to qualify and monitor overseas suppliers, navigate international compliance standards, and lead cross-functional quality reviews.