About this role
Manufacturing Quality Engineer
Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd Cambourne Full-Time Permanent
Are you an experienced Quality Engineer who thrives on solving complex manufacturing challenges and driving continuous improvement?
At Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd, we are passionate about delivering world-class electron microscopy solutions that meet the exceptional standards associated with the ZEISS brand. We are looking for a proactive and highly motivated Manufacturing Quality Engineer to join our team in Cambourne and play a key role in supporting product quality, supplier performance, and manufacturing excellence.
About the Role
Working within a small, collaborative quality team, you will be the first point of contact for quality-related issues within production, helping to ensure that incoming materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products consistently meet the highest standards.
This is a varied and hands-on position, requiring a structured and disciplined approach to problem solving, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
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Act as the primary quality support contact on the factory floor for production-related quality issues.
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Investigate non-conformities and lead corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D.
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Develop, implement, and improve quality standards and manufacturing processes.
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Inspect and evaluate materials, equipment, processes, and products to ensure compliance with specifications.
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Partner with cross-functional teams to identify recurring quality concerns and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
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Analyse rejected components, repair data, and supplier feedback to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
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Raise and manage supplier quality complaints and support supplier performance improvement activities.
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Work closely with Supplier Development and Engineering teams to address quality non-conformities.
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Participate in internal and supplier audits, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
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Support Customer Perfect Order initiatives and quality improvement projects.
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What We're Looking For
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Essential Experience & Skills
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Significant experience within a Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Assurance role.
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Strong understanding of quality improvement methodologies including CAPA, PDCA, Root Cause Analysis, and structured problem-solving techniques.
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Experience working within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
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Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
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Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineering documentation.
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Strong communication skills, able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
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Experience using Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
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A proactive, self-motivated approach with a continuous improvement mindset.
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Desirable Experience
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Knowledge of SAP and Power BI.
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Understanding of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements.
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Experience within high-precision manufacturing, instrumentation, medical devices, scientific equipment, or advanced engineering environments.
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Exposure to lean manufacturing principles.
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Knowledge of electronics, electro-mechanical assembly, cleanroom environments, vacuum technology, or microscopy products.
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About the Team
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You will join a specialist team focused on maintaining and improving quality standards across the manufacturing operation, working closely with Quality Engineers, Supplier Development specialists, Production, and Engineering teams.
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Why Join ZEISS?
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ZEISS is a global technology leader renowned for innovation, precision, and quality. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge microscopy products while contributing directly to manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
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If you are passionate about quality, enjoy solving technical challenges, and want to make a real impact within a world-class engineering environment, we'd love to hear from you.