Big ideas. Real-world impact.
At SYOS Aerospace, we’re not here to do things the way they’ve always been done. We’re building the next generation of autonomous systems across air, land, and sea – turning ambitious ideas into technology that works in the real world. From cutting-edge research, design, and advanced engineering in New Zealand to manufacturing scale-up and global delivery in the UK, our teams are transforming innovative concepts into operational products used by customers around the world.
This is an opportunity to join SYOS at a pivotal stage of growth – where the work you do today will help shape the products, processes, and capabilities of tomorrow. Whether you’re looking to build an international career or see yourself in New Zealand in the future, this could be the opportunity that opens the door. As we continue to grow globally, we’re committed to creating career pathways across our teams, projects, and locations.
The SYOS way
We’re growing fast, taking on bigger challenges, and building technology that matters. At SYOS, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, solve problems, and see your work make a real impact.
About the role
As a Quality Engineer, you’ll play a key role in ensuring SYOS products are built to the highest standards as we scale our UK manufacturing capability. You’ll own day-to-day quality activities across the production environment supporting everything from incoming goods and in-process inspections through to final product acceptance and release.
Working closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical teams, suppliers, and our global Quality team in New Zealand, you’ll help build robust quality systems, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement across our autonomous surface vehicle programmes.
This is a highly autonomous role where you’ll be trusted to take ownership, make sound decisions, and influence outcomes across the business. You’ll collaborate with teams in both the UK and New Zealand, so flexibility to occasionally work across time zones and travel when required, including supporting future manufacturing facilities as we continue to grow.
We’re looking for someone who leads through influence rather than authority – someone who builds credibility, earns trust, and knows how to bring people on the journey. You’ll work alongside a hardworking, hands-on team that’s passionate about what we build, so your ability to coach, challenge constructively, and bring out the best in others will be just as important as your technical expertise.
You’ll be involved in:
- Own and continuously improve manufacturing quality systems, processes, and standards.
- Manage non-conformance (NCR) and corrective action (CAPA) activities from identification through to effective resolution.
- Support engineering change processes, risk assessments, PFMEA workshops, and the development of production control plans.
- Develop, maintain, and improve inspection methods, work instructions, quality documentation, and manufacturing standards.
- Support product verification, testing, release, and customer delivery to ensure compliance with quality requirements.
- Partner with suppliers and the Supplier Management team to assess new suppliers, resolve quality issues, and drive supplier performance improvements.
- Analyse quality data, identify trends, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve process capability.
- Train, coach, and support production operators to embed quality practices, develop solutions, and undertake delegated in-process inspections.
- Represent Quality on the Change Control Board, ensuring engineering changes are assessed for quality impact and compliance.
- Coordinate inspection priorities and work closely with the Quality Inspector to ensure timely product verification and production support.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience in a Quality Engineering role within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven record of leading quality practices in manufacturing environments in fast moving, startup environments preferable.
- Experience managing non-conformance and corrective action processes.
- Engineering or Quality-related qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience working within a quality management system such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar.
- Strong problem-solving skills and experience using structured approaches such as 8D, 5-Why, or root cause analysis.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, production, and supplier teams.
- Strong attention to detail with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
Nice to have:
- Experience in aerospace, maritime, defence, robotics, automotive, or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Internal auditor, Six Sigma, Lean, or quality-related certification.
- Experience facilitating PFMEA and developing control plans.
- Experience working with ERP-based quality systems.
- Supplier quality assessment or supplier issue management experience.
- Experience training operators on quality systems and inspection methods.
We’re a team of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers who believe that great ideas can come from anyone. The best answer wins – regardless of title or experience. We’re not looking for people who just want another job. We’re looking for people who want to be part of the story.
Come build with us. Challenge us. Grow with us.
SYOS Aerospace – the time is now.
The products are evolving. Our global footprint is growing. The people who join today will help define what SYOS becomes tomorrow.
Security Requirement
To be eligible for this role, you must be able to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This includes confirming your identity, legal right to work in the UK, recent employment history, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).
