Quality Compliance Engineer

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

We’re recruiting a Quality Compliance Engineer to join our Quality Engineering team at our Luton manufacturing site, reporting directly to the Site Quality Manager. 

Working within a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment, you'll keep our Quality Management Systems (QMS) aligned to AS9100 and customer requirements, lead internal audits across the site, and help embed a culture where quality is owned by everyone. You'll have real visibility within the business, contributing to our daily Tier management structure and working closely with department heads and the site leadership team.

Our Luton site operates core hours of 07:30–16:30, Monday to Thursday, and 07:30–12:30 on Fridays, giving you an early finish to start your weekend.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain the site Quality Management System (QMS), keeping documentation, processes and procedures current and audit-ready.
• Plan, schedule and lead the internal audit programme, reporting findings and driving timely closure of corrective actions.
• Support external certification and customer audits, acting as a key point of contact for AS9100 and regulatory compliance.
• Champion root cause analysis and effective corrective/preventive action (8D, RCCA) across the site.
• Analyse quality data and trends, and support continuous improvement and cost of poor quality (COPQ) reduction.

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
• Experience in a quality systems, compliance or audit role within a regulated manufacturing environment (aerospace, defence, automotive or similar).
• Working knowledge of AS9100 / ISO 9001 and internal auditing principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder-management skills.

Desirable:
• HNC/HND qualification (or equivalent experience) in an engineering discipline, preferably Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial engineering.
• A qualified internal auditor (or willingness to train); aerospace experience is a distinct advantage. 

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. The Quality Compliance Engineer will demonstrate strong communication skills, using active listening, thoughtful inquiry, and clear articulation when engaging with diverse stakeholders. You'll build effective professional relationships across the business, supporting collaboration and shared understanding.

With excellent analytical and critical‑thinking abilities, you'll apply close attention to detail when working within complex systems, ensuring accuracy in identifying non‑conformities and improvement opportunities. Confidently carry out critical evaluations of processes and designs, assessing effectiveness and highlighting areas for enhancement. Strong problem‑solving skills and solid subject knowledge of requirements will support sound judgement and practical recommendations.

The role requires effective note‑taking, ensuring audit evidence and observations are captured accurately and transparently. The Quality Compliance Engineer will act with the highest level of integrity, maintaining impartiality, confidentiality, and professionalism at all times.

With a mindset of adaptability and curiosity, remain open to new information, evolving requirements, and continuous improvement—both in own work and across the wider organisation.

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role. 

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (Insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included)
• Free onsite parking 
• Local gym discount 
• Free airport parking 
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you! 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

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We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further.  And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.  It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’.  By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. ​
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