Quality Engineer (CNC)

Be yourself at Protolabs 

Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, colour, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 

Why Protolabs? 

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

The CNC Quality Engineer will be responsible for working alongside production personnel to monitor performance, and establish and implement systems that ensure products conform to requirements within the CNC Machining service line. They will identify problems, participate in problem investigations, and collaborate to design and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.

What you'll do:

• Quality Assurance & Improvements: Provide technical expertise in quality assurance, identify cost inefficiencies, and continually improve processes and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Standards Implementation & Maintenance: Lead and maintain AS9100 aerospace quality standard certification.
• Data Analysis & Project Prioritization: Analyze manufacturing data to prioritize projects and liaise with Proto Excellence teams for new processes.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work with the Manufacturing Engineering department for process and equipment changes, and communicate improvement activities companywide.
• Documentation & Training: Maintain product documentation procedures and conduct company training as needed.
• Reporting & Compliance: Provide quality performance reports, support audits, and ensure corrective actions for process and vendor issues.
• Product Transfers & Introductions: Support new product introductions and transfers.
• Leadership & Improvement: Lead change initiatives, adhere to quality and safety standards, improve individual performance, and follow company policies. Perform additional tasks as assigned.

What it takes:

• Experience of CNC processes essential.
• Continual Improvement and Mechanical Engineering background.
• Advanced knowledge of the AS9100 aerospace standard.
• Creative problem solving.
• Strong business correspondence skills.
• Demonstrate sound business judgment.
• Ability to work well with all functional work groups within the company.
• Independent, dependable, resourceful and self-motivated.
• Engineering degree preferred.
• MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Comfortable with technology (computers, software, CNC machines, rapid prototype technologies, etc.).
• Mathematical aptitude.
• Able to present data or projects to a wide audience.
• Able to communicate with customers in a professional manner

What's in it for you:

• Growth-oriented company with a focus on your development journey through regular feedback and discussions.
• Open and welcoming corporate culture globally.
• Extensive e-learning platform with 300+ training courses and on-site sessions, including internal leadership training
• Onsite car parking, bicycle storage, and convenient public transport links.
• Newly built canteen with free hot drinks.
• Employee Discount scheme with savings across thousands of UK retailers.
• Employee wellbeing culture with mental health support, wellbeing portal, and psychologist assistance.
• Monetary-based Reward Schemes for recognition, referrals, anniversaries, and life events.
• 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract with regular breaks
• 25 days holiday entitlement plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Life insurance policy for eligible employees – 4 x base salary

What to expect in the hiring process

Kick-off with an initial screening with one Talent Acquisition Partners, not really an interview, but the chance to learn more about how we do things, our process and a chance for you to ask all the things you want to know

A deeper dive into the role, what we're looking for the hiring manager and you to get to know one another

Further interviews

We always try to streamline our recruitment process as much as possible but may sometimes need to carry out further interviews. This may be to meet other members of the team or more senior employees. It may also be an opportunity to see the site or working area