Lead Quality Engineer

Lead Quality Engineer

Destinus

Hengelo, Netherlands

Imagine this – you're standing at the intersection of cutting-edge aerospace innovation and rock-solid quality assurance. Every UAV that leaves our production line carries your fingerprint – not because you built it, but because you made sure it meets the highest standards in the industry. As Lead Quality Engineer, you're the standard-bearer. You drive quality strategy, solve complex problems on the ground, and lead a team that ensures everything we build is safe, reliable, and built to fly. From compliance to continuous improvement, you own it.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute quality strategies for production and new product introduction (NPI);
• Lead quality inspections, reviews, and audits across production, testing, and supply chain;
• Define, implement, and continuously improve quality procedures, standards, and documentation;
• Own root cause analysis and corrective actions for non-conformities and field issues;
• Work closely with engineering, production, and suppliers to ensure consistent product quality;
• Establish KPIs and track quality metrics – drive data-based decisions to improve performance;
• Support internal and external audits, including customer and regulatory requirements;
• Coach and mentor quality engineers and technicians – grow the team, build capability, enforce excellence;
• Act as quality lead in cross-functional teams to resolve design and process issues;
• Bring a mindset of prevention, not detection – eliminate problems before they happen.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field;
• 10+ years of experience in a similar role within aerospace manufacturing or a related industry;
• Strong experience in quality engineering or manufacturing quality, ideally in aerospace, defense, or high-tech;
• Solid understanding of quality systems, standards (like AS9100, ISO 9001), and regulatory requirements;
• Skilled in root cause analysis, risk assessments, and implementing corrective actions;
• Hands-on experience in production environments – you know your way around the floor;
• Familiarity with tools like FMEA, 8D, control plans, and PPAP;
• Experience leading audits, building quality plans, and working with suppliers;
• Strong communication skills and confidence in cross-functional environments;
• Fluent in English – Dutch is a plus.

Who You Are

You’re obsessed with getting things right – and you know that real quality starts with systems, not stickers. You thrive in a high-speed environment, stay calm under pressure, and never hesitate to jump in where things get messy. You lead with clarity and high standards. You believe in doing it right the first time – and when that doesn’t happen, you figure out why and fix it for good. You love data, processes, and problem-solving, but you also know how to rally a team behind quality that actually means something.

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