Quality Engineer - QMS

VHR is supporting a leading aerospace manufacturing organisation that is establishing and expanding its regional operations within the UAE. Our client is seeking an experienced Regulatory & QMS Manager to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with aerospace regulatory, customer, and industry requirements. 

This is a key leadership position supporting a growing manufacturing operation, responsible for maintaining regulatory readiness, governance, audit compliance, risk management, and operational excellence. 

The Regulatory & QMS Manager will be accountable for establishing and governing the site's Quality Management System while ensuring compliance with applicable aerospace regulations, industry standards, certification requirements, and customer expectations. The role works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, HR, and Operational teams to ensure robust, auditable, and effective business processes are embedded throughout the organisation. 

Quality Management System Leadership

• Establish, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the site Quality Management System in accordance with aerospace quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements. 
• Develop and maintain process architecture, procedures, work instructions, forms, and governance frameworks. 
• Ensure alignment between local business processes and global management system requirements. 
• Coordinate QMS deployment across all business functions, ensuring effective implementation and compliance. 
• Manage document control, quality records, configuration management, and retention processes. 
• Facilitate management reviews, quality objectives, KPI monitoring, risk assessments, and continual improvement activities. 
• Promote a strong quality culture focused on compliance, product safety, and right-first-time principles. 

Regulatory & Compliance Management

• Establish and maintain compliance matrices covering applicable aerospace regulations, quality standards, and customer-specific requirements. 
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess impacts on business operations and quality systems. 
• Support certification, regulatory approval, and compliance readiness activities. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory compliance matters across the organisation. 
• Ensure contractual and customer quality requirements are effectively deployed and monitored. 
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, certification bodies, and customers when required. 

Audit & Compliance Assurance

• Develop and manage the annual audit programme covering quality systems, operational processes, suppliers, and special processes. 
• Conduct internal audits and maintain auditor competency programmes. 
• Plan and coordinate external customer, certification, and regulatory audits. 
• Ensure audit findings are effectively investigated, tracked, and closed through robust corrective action processes. 
• Analyse audit trends and identify opportunities for continual improvement and risk reduction. 

Risk, Business Continuity & Governance

• Lead the deployment of enterprise risk management processes across the site.
• Support Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Crisis Management activities.
• Monitor business risks, mitigation actions, and compliance obligations. 
• Maintain reporting structures that provide clear visibility of quality, compliance, audit, and risk performance metrics. 

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide regular reporting on audit performance, compliance activities, quality metrics, and enterprise risks. 
• Support senior leadership with compliance status updates and strategic quality initiatives.
• Collaborate with external partners, industry bodies, universities, and relevant stakeholders to support continuous improvement and future quality initiatives. 

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Qualified Quality Auditor certification required.
• Lead Auditor qualification highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience within aerospace quality, compliance, certification, or Quality Management Systems in a regulated manufacturing environment. 
• Strong experience managing regulatory compliance and audit programmes. 
• Experience interfacing with certification bodies, customers, and regulatory authorities. 

Technical Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of:

  • AS9100 / EN9100
  • EASA regulatory frameworks
  • Aerospace Quality Management Systems
  • Audit Management
  • Risk Management
  • Business Continuity Planning
  • Compliance Assurance
  • Corrective Action Systems 

• Familiarity with production approvals, aerospace manufacturing environments, and international aviation regulations is highly desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities.
• Process-driven and highly analytical approach.
• Strong audit, compliance, and evidence-based decision-making capability.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business processes.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. 

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a growing aerospace manufacturing organisation during a significant expansion phase.
• Key leadership role with responsibility for regulatory compliance and Quality Management System development.
• Exposure to major aerospace manufacturing and industrialisation programmes.
• Long-term career growth within a global aerospace environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.