Quality Inspection Team Leader(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

Dowty Propellers, part of GE Aerospace, is seeking an accomplished Inspection and Certifying Staff Leader to provide strategic and operational leadership to our UK inspection function. Based at our global headquarters in Gloucester, this role plays a critical part in ensuring our manufacturing and certification activities meet the highest standards of aviation safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You will lead a highly skilled inspection team operating within a regulated aerospace environment, ensuring compliance with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 21 requirements while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and technical excellence. This is a role for a confident leader who combines regulatory expertise with people development and operational discipline.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide clear leadership and direction to inspectors and certifying staff within a Part 21 environment
• Recruit, develop, and retain inspection talent, creating succession plans to ensure long-term resilience and eliminate single points of failure
• Coach and mentor team members, ensuring competence, confidence, and regulatory compliance

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all inspection and certification activities comply with CAA Part 21, AS9100, ISO 9001, and AS9102 requirements
• Act as a key interface with internal and external auditors and regulatory bodies
• Maintain awareness of regulatory developments and embed changes into local processes and procedures
• Uphold the highest standards of aviation safety and product conformity

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Apply GE Lean Flight Deck principles and daily management systems within the inspection function
• Lead corrective action and root cause analysis activities to reduce Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ)
• Identify and deliver improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and compliance
• Make informed, timely decisions within agreed business frameworks to support operational targets
• Technical & Business Systems Expertise
• Interpret complex engineering drawings and specifications
• Oversee inspection methodologies, tools, and measurement techniques
• Support the effective use and continuous development of quality and business systems

What We’re Looking For

You will bring a strong combination of technical knowledge, regulatory understanding, and people leadership, along with:

• Relevant technical qualification or degree, with experience in Quality or Operations leadership
• Demonstrable working knowledge of CAA regulations (Part 21)
• Strong understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, and AS9102 standards
• Experience operating within a manufacturing or aerospace engineering environment
• Proven application of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience implementing daily management systems
• Strong problem-solving capability and customer-focused mindset
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team leadership skills

Security & Right to Work

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which must be obtained and maintained. Failure to secure BPSS clearance may result in withdrawal of any employment offer on national security grounds.

Applications from candidates requiring UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome and will be considered in line with current UK immigration regulations.

Reward & Benefits

GE Aerospace offers a comprehensive Total Reward package designed to support your wellbeing, security, and career development, including:

• Non-contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance and group income protection
• Private medical insurance
• 26 days’ annual leave (with the option to buy or sell)
• Access to GE’s FlexChoice flexible benefits programme
• Ongoing professional development within a global aerospace organisation

Why Join Dowty (GE Aerospace)?

At Dowty, you’ll be part of a globally respected aerospace organisation where safety, quality, and innovation are non-negotiable. You’ll lead a critical function that directly contributes to aircraft safety worldwide, while developing people, improving systems, and shaping the future of inspection excellence.