Location: West Midlands
Hours: Days – 06:30am to 15:00pm (Flexibility required, including Saturdays from time to time)
Sector: Metal Casting / Foundry

The Project Quality Engineer Opportunity

5S Recruitment are working in partnership with a well-established and highly respected UK foundry, supplying complex cast components into demanding engineering sectors.

This is not a desk-based quality role.

We are specifically looking for individuals with hands-on foundry or casting experience, as this position is predominantly shop floor based, working closely with production, tooling, and pattern equipment to drive new product introduction and quality performance.

If your background is purely office-based automotive quality without exposure to casting processes, this won’t be the right fit.

The Role

You will take ownership of Project Quality Engineer will be responsible for planning (APQP) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities across new and existing components.

Working at the sharp end of manufacturing, you will act as the link between customer requirements and how the foundry delivers them on the shop floor.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading APQP & NPI activities for new and modified cast components
• Acting as the single point of contact for customer sampling, tooling, and validation
• Working closely with pattern makers and subcontractors on tooling design (patterns & core boxes)
• Supporting production teams with tooling optimisation and process improvements
• Planning and managing trials, sample runs, and PPAP submissions
• Reviewing internal and customer sample feedback and driving corrective actions
• Coordinating dimensional validation including 3D scanning / metrology
• Managing and submitting PPAP documentation via customer portals
• Leading weekly cross-functional meetings to track sampling and project status

What We’re Looking For in a Project Quality Engineer

• Proven experience within a foundry, casting, or metal manufacturing environment (essential)
• Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and NPI processes
• Understanding of casting processes, tooling, patterns, and core boxes
• Experience working directly on or alongside the shop floor
• Ability to interpret technical data and communicate effectively with both customers and internal teams
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects

Why This Role?

This is a business-critical position where you will have real influence over how new products are introduced and delivered.

You won’t be sat behind a screen, you’ll be:

• On the shop floor
• Working with tooling
• Solving real manufacturing problems
• Driving quality where it actually matters

About 5S Recruitment

5S Recruitment specialise exclusively within engineering and manufacturing, with a strong footprint across plastics, tooling, and complex production environments.

We focus on quality of hire and long-term retention, not volume, supporting businesses with technically competent individuals who can make a difference from day one.