Primary location: Leatherhead, KT22 7BA, UK Please note this role is based 5 days on site Salary: up to £65,000 (dependent on experience) About u s We are a clean-tech organisation pioneering the world’s first purpose-built battery and solar-powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU). Our fully electric system is a true zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered TRUs, leading the way in decarbonising the global cold chain. Since our founding in 2020, we’ve expanded from just 3 engineers to a team of 77 in under five years, representing a 2,46 7% growth in team siz e. In 2024, we secured a £17.3 million investm ent, enabling us to continue our missio n: Innovative engineering to deliver a sustainable fut ure. We’ve partnered with leading companies such as Te sco a nd D FDS to bring cutting-edge, sustainable refrigeration solutions to mark et. We also proudly won the 2024 Technological Breakthrough award from the Cold Chain Federation and were named one of The Sunday Times Best Company 2024 winner, celebrating our exceptional workplace culture. At Sunswap, we are united by our mission, fostering a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment where every team member is empowered to make an imp act. Our bene fits 30 days of annual leave (includes a Wellbein g Day)Sabbatical (after 3 years of working with Su nswap)5 free counselling sessions pe r yearFamily leave ranging from 4 weeks to 4 monthsFree Monthly Lunches & Quarterly So cialsCycle to Work SchemeFree Sunswap merch Job o verview Reporting to Sunswap’s Head of Supply Chain, the Lead SQA Engineer will be responsible for assuring the quality of components and subassemblies delivered to Sunswap from its global supply chain, as well as working closely with other Sunswap team members to improve suppliers’ quality and delivery perfo rmance. You will provide critical quality assurance support to new product introduction in the supply chain, by monitoring and reporting out on the suppliers’ APQP programmes. You will create and maintain inspection plans for incoming components, review / approve suppliers’ component PPAP and PSW submissions, and ensure records are kept of these ap provals. Key respon sibilities Act as Sunswap’s champion for supplier quality, through strong leadership, coaching and supporting engagement, both internally and across the su pply chain.Support the business in achieving its OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), by leading and/or supporting the associated improvement projects and achieving your team and indiv idual OKRs.Build a high-performing and diverse team of supplier quality / technical assistance engineers, through recruitment, training, coaching and mentoring.Develop internal quality assurance processes as required to deliver the necessary improvements, in line with industry best-practice (e.g. IATF 16949 and the supporting AIAG c ore tools).Development of under-performing suppliers through collaborative improvement activities, in line with the Business OKRs, so that the risk of shortages and line stops, and their associated impact to sales and profitability, are minimised.Evaluation/re-evaluation of new and existing suppliers, using recognised tools and processes, to provide confidence that Sunswap’s supply chain can deliver defect-free components, on time, at the require d volumes.Coordination of supplier APQP activities, and the review / approval of supplier PPAP submissions, to ensure the flawless launch of new products from the su pply chain.The effective screening of production parts delivered to Sunswap, via the use of suitable goods-inwards inspection plans by a competent quality inspector.Prompt and effective containment of nonconformance emanating from the supply chain, whilst ensuring minimal disruption to Sunswap’s production line from the containment activities.Support Sunswap’s suppliers in eliminating root causes of nonconformance, by ensuring investigations are carried out robustly and in accordance with the Global 8D problem solving framework.Where necessary, train suppliers in the use of recognised quality tools such as 5W2H, Ishikawa, and 5-Why.Ensure the outcomes of investigations into supplier nonconformance is fully documented and traceable, using the compa ny systems. Qualifications & ; experience Engineering degree and/or a recognised Quality Management qu alification.Line managemen t experience.A qualified IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 auditor, preferably le ad assessor.Previous SQ experience in automotive manufacturing or in a simil ar industry.Experienced in NPI and developing/managing suppliers to deliver quality requirements through the product life cycle. Be able to lead, influence and support, to challenge in a positi ve attitude.Strong negotiating and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively.Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and Core Tools.Experienced in quality tools and methods, including but not limited to Global 8D, 5W2H, Ishikawa, 5-Why, Pareto, etc.Conversant with metrology, inspection methods and equipment, as well as a working knowledge of GD&T.Able to correctly interpret 3D CAD and 2D drawings.Experience with a variety of manufacturin g processes.Can carry out robust statistic al analyses.Ability to present data accurately and effectively.Planning and prioritising activities and an ability to operate with a level of autonomy.Able to travel at short notice within the UK or worldwide t o Suppliers.Full clean driv ing licence. Advantageous: VDA 6.3 auditor qualification.Lean Six Sigma Green B elt qualified.Experience in Confluence and Airtable s oftware tools.