Smith+Nephew
Quality Engineer
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Quality Engineer – Life Unlimited
About the Role
At Smith+Nephew, we design and manufacture technology that empowers patients to live without limits. Join our team as a Quality Engineer and help shape our mission by ensuring our life-changing medical devices meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.
This critical role allows you to contribute to a culture of quality excellence, supporting manufacturing, engineering, and new product introduction (NPI) teams with data-driven insights and proactive risk mitigation.
What You’ll Do
As a Quality Engineer, you’ll take ownership of:
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Process Leadership
- Act as the Quality Lead for manufacturing value streams, ensuring continuous improvement through statistical process control (SPC) and data-driven metrics.
- Monitor and drive process stability, identifying risks proactively through root cause analysis.
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Day-to-Day Quality Support
- Provide real-time quality engineering support to manufacturing, resolving nonconformances efficiently.
- Develop and maintain process controls, inspection plans, and quality checkpoints.
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Advanced Problem-Solving
- Lead structured investigations using Six Sigma and Lean tools (e.g., 5 Why, Fishbone, DMAIC, 8D, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA/DFMEA)).
- Conduct Measurement System Analysis (MSA), including Gage R&R studies, to ensure measurement reliability.
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Statistical & Data-Driven Decisions
- Use statistical analysis to identify trends and recommend preventive actions.
- Perform process capability analysis (Cp, Cpk) and contribute to Design of Experiments (DOE).
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Validation & Compliance
- Independently support change control, conducting risk assessments, verification/validation, and documentation reviews.
- Develop and execute validation plans/protocols for manufacturing processes, equipment, and inspection methods.
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Risk & Regulatory Management
- Evaluate quality impact of product/process changes and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Maintain risk management files (PFMEA, DFMEA, hazard analysis) across the product lifecycle.
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CAPA & Continuous Improvement
- Lead or contribute to Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA) initiatives with strong root cause analysis.
- Drive Six Sigma-based projects focused on yield improvement, defect reduction, and process capability enhancement.
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Stakeholder Collaboration
- Act as a subject matter expert during audits and support readiness activities for new/updated products.
- Investigate returned products and customer complaints collaboratively with suppliers, test labs, and engineering teams.
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Detection & Documentation
- Collect, analyse, and interpret quality performance data (scrap, defects, yields, complaints).
- Present quality metrics to cross-functional stakeholders and partners.
What You’ll Need
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline (e.g., Chemical Engineering, Materials Science).
- Experience in a regulated industry, preferably medical devices.
- Proven application of Six Sigma tools (e.g., DMAIC, MSA, SPC, DOE, capability analysis).
- Experience in Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R studies.
- Hands-on experience with root cause analysis, validation, and risk management.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex technical data.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
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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.
You. Unlimited.
At Smith+Nephew, we believe our strength lies in our people and patients. We foster an environment where every employee feels valued, inspired, and empowered.
Your Future
- Generous bonus schemes and competitive pension schemes.
- Save As You Earn (SAYE) share options for long-term growth.
- Financial well-being (health care cash plans, income protection, life assurance).
Work/Life Balance
- Flexible vacation policy, paid holidays, and paid volunteering time to make a difference in your community.
- Hybrid role with mobility to work in-office or remotely (where applicable).
Your Wellbeing
- Private health and dental plans for you and your family.
- Access to employee perks (gym discounts, salary-sacrifice auto-enrollment cycling plans).
Training & Growth
- Tailored hands-on mentorship and team-customised training programs to enhance your expertise.
Inclusion & Beyond
- A committed culture of inclusion, celebrating diversity and fostering belonging.
- Talented Community engagement and professional networking on platforms like LinkedIn.
- Visit our careers page or explore Glassdoor for deeper insights into our culture.
Join Smith+Nephew—where passion for quality meets limitless potential.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
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