Quality Engineer

The Role

The Quality Engineer at Howden UK plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all products - ranging from new builds to aftermarket solutions, including nuclear-grade systems - meet rigorous quality standards and customer expectations. Based in Renfrew, Scotland, this position supports projects valued up to £15 million and involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams and international clients.

The role focuses on maintaining and evolving the company’s quality assurance framework, conducting audits, managing quality documentation, and driving continuous improvement through lean methodologies. It requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong communication skills, and the ability to interpret complex specifications and technical drawings.

Ideal candidates will bring engineering qualifications or equivalent experience in a QA/QC role within a manufacturing or engineering environment. Familiarity with ISO 9001, quality plans, and lean tools is essential, along with a hands-on mindset and cultural awareness for working with global stakeholders. Occasional international travel adds a dynamic edge to this impactful and rewarding position.

Who we are

Howden has a range of compressors, blowers, fans, steam turbines, and rotary heat exchangers, and has been at the forefront of developing engineered solutions for the needs of industrial processes since 1854. In 2023, Howden joined forces with Chart Industries, a global leader in engineered equipment for clean energy and industrial gas markets.

Together, we operate over 64 manufacturing sites and 50+ service centres worldwide, with 11,700+ employees driving innovation in hydrogen, carbon capture, energy recovery, nuclear, water treatment, mining, and LNG. As part of the Nexus of Clean™, we are advancing a sustainable future—helping customers improve efficiency and reduce emissions across clean power, water, food, and industrial sectors.

Join us and be part of a purpose-driven team shaping the future and tackling some of the planet’s most urgent challenges, all while growing your career in a dynamic global environment.

What will you do

• Write, monitor & update quality procedures to ensure compliance with relevant national & international standards as directed by the Team Lead – Project Management and Quality.
• Conduct quality audits to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 or other specified criteria.
• Work with pre-contract and post-contract associates to develop and adapt project specific quality plans & dossiers for HUK products to ensure & demonstrate compliance with Company & Customer requirements.
• Review / approve & file quality control documentation to ensure compliance with Company procedures and maintain records of same.
• Notify, liaise and assist Customer at any meeting (on or off-site) in support of the HUK Sales or Project Manager’s need to match or exceed Customer expectations.
• Monitor & analyse non-conformance & corrective action data to provide visibility on performance and potential areas for application of lean tools.
• Develop lean capability in functional teams to support accelerated performance and sustained process improvement 
• Support the coaching and training of potentially resistant groups on correct usage of lean tools
• Ensure that, at all times, all current Health & Safety rules are rigidly adhered to in order to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement in Health & Safety throughout the Business.

What do you bring

An ideal candidate would likely have the following profile: 

• An HND or BSC in engineering (mechanical or electrical) OR qualified through experience in a quality assurance/ control role. 
• Able to clearly demonstrate working experience in an engineering or manufacturing environment with an understanding of the drivers for continuous improvement. 
• Experience in working with ISO9001.
• A sound understanding of quality plans, auditing & compilation of quality dossiers.
• A sound understanding of continuous improvement tools and application of LEAN tools in a custom engineered product business.

It would be an added bonus but not essential to have:  

• A good knowledge of fabrication, machining, assembly and testing of large custom-engineered products.
• Experience in connection to Nuclear in particular USA standard NQA-1 and Canadian standard N299-2.
• Previous experience working with the mining ventilation industry. 
• Experience & understanding of technical drawings and specifications.
• Experience in working with welding documents. (tests, procedures & qualifications) 
  
  

We’ve put together some criteria that we think is important for this role, but don’t worry if your experience and expertise isn’t an exact match. If you feel that you can add value to our role and to Howden more broadly, we would welcome your application and be eager to learn more about you. 

Our Benefits

This is a permanent position based at our headquarters in Renfrew, including an early finish on Friday. Our range of fantastic benefits includes:

• A flexible, hybrid working environment
• Generous holiday entitlement package totalling 33 days annual leave 
• Howden Pension Plan with a maximum employer contribution of 7% 
• Company electric vehicle scheme through salary sacrifice 
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental and adoption leave pay
• Free onsite parking 
• Healthcare cash plan 
• Group Life Assurance plan at 3x salary
• Group Income Protection plan
• Access to My Howden Benefits & Wellbeing Portal – Cycle2Work programme, range of discounts across various retailers, employee assistance programme, wealth of information to support health & wellbeing 
• Dedicated Spark Service – free counselling, physiotherapy, financial support, medical second opinion, remote GP, personal training, nutrition consultations etc  
• Financial planning & mortgage support 
• Opportunity to be involved in our ESG ‘Bright Future’ initiatives – STEM ambassador & volunteering

Chart is an equal opportunity employer

The Company intention in respect of recruitment, selection and promotion is to appoint the most suitable candidate for each job regardless of that person’s race, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability.