Lead Engineer - Vehicle Audit and Inspection

£50k-60k

Coventry

The Recruitment Bunker are recruiting exclusively for a Lead Engineer - Vehicle Audit and Inspection for a leading group of companies based in Coventry.

The primary objective of the Vehicle Audit team is to be responsible for overall and final vehicle quality assurance and craftsmanship approval. The Vehicle Audit team are responsible for creating Vehicle Quality Standards for specification, fit, aesthetics and some performance attributes, then ensuring that every vehicle meets those standards. This includes creating a standard and reviewing craftsmanship as part of the product development process, spot checking that the built-in quality activities meet those standards, then completing final inspection and signing off on 100% of production vehicles.

As this is a new position, working with the Quality Director, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to create and shape the Vehicle Quality Standard content and appearance, create a complete benchmarking processes, play a key role in implementing the infrastructure of how production and audit non-conformances are recorded, reported and followed up and you will support the recruitment and training for a vehicle inspection, audit and benchmarking team.

Overview of the Role

Lead Engineer - Vehicle Audit and Inspection

Salary - £50K-£60K

Holidays: 25 days plus 8 Bank Holidays

Pension

Employee Referral Scheme

Healthcare/Life Insurance

Location: Coventry

Company Overview

The DRVN Automotive Group are a sector leading automotive group, specialising in the design, manufacture, and distribution of luxury automotive brands, recognised globally for our commitment to innovation, quality, and engineering, centred around a world-class customer experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the team of inspectors and auditors

Support recruitment and training of new members of the inspection and audit team

Work with production to ensure that all vehicles meet the complete vehicle quality standard in line with the product development timing and running changes.

Develop the complete vehicle quality standard format and content

Create complete vehicle quality standards, for production, shipping and dealers

Work with the Manufacturing Engineering and Production teams to ensure standards are incorporated into the production process as part of built in quality supporting a no fault forward quality culture.

Act as a liaison between the Vehicle Quality, Supplier Quality, Design, Engineering and Programmes departments for complete vehicle craftsmanship and quality issues.

Conduct vehicle audits to ensure compliance with standards and specifications

Work closely with cross-functional teams to help resolve vehicle quality issues

Complete and run Craftsmanship reviews to elevate the quality level of vehicles

Create and run a full vehicle static and dynamic benchmarking process. Create a library to record benchmarking results for refencing in the future.

Support product development process through benchmarking existing and competitor vehicles

Support root cause analysis and corrective action processes to address quality deviations

Drive and support continuous improvement initiatives within inspection and auditing, optimising efficiency and increasing defect detection

Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to implement best practices in vehicle quality techniques and management

Collaborate with internal teams to develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for vehicle quality

Provide technical expertise and guidance to ensure adherence to quality standards

Work in compliance and conform to IATF16949 and ISO9001 standards

Essential Skills

Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering higher level qualification, or a related and equivalent discipline

Proven experience in an auditing role, static and dynamic audits, working on vehicle Quality Assurance within the automotive industry within an OEM.

Knowledge of Inspection and auditing processes

Experience of creating and implementing data bases and systems for capturing, recording and analysing the recorded information

Experience of benchmarking competitor vehicles

Knowledge and understanding of working ISO9001/IATF16949 and other relevant quality management systems (preferred but not essential)

Ability to create and capture processes and work instructions

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on root cause analysis

Effective communication skills to liaise with internal stakeholders

Track record in leading initiatives and driving improvements

Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment

Detail-oriented with a commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Strong interpersonal skills, and communication skills both verbal and written

IT literate - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Clean drivers' licence

Must have IDLR/ Full right to work in UK- Sponsorship will not be provided.

Able to travel primarily within the UK, but if required overseas.

Please note we do not provide sponsorships to those who require it and will only accept applications from those who have full rights to work in the UK with no restrictions and IDLR/Full Settlement status. Please provide status on applications.

Our inclusive workplace welcomes and values all candidates from all backgrounds, we believe that diversity enhances our ability to innovate and serve our customers effectively. We are an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to bring their authentic selves to work. If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs