Quality Engineer Recruitment Agency Since 2005
TL;DR:
Sigma Recruitment has specialised in recruiting quality engineers since 2005. With nearly two decades of experience, we’ve built a robust network of high-calibre quality engineering talent across the UK, enabling us to deliver excellent results for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recruiting a Quality Engineer
Why is hiring a Quality Engineer so difficult?
The market for skilled Quality Engineers is incredibly competitive, with high demand for specific expertise in regulated industries.
The best professionals are often passive candidates not actively job searching, making them hard to find. Sectors like aerospace and medical devices have stringent requirements, narrowing the talent pool. This is a key reason many companies work with a specialist agency to overcome the engineering talent shortage.
The best professionals are often passive candidates not actively job searching, making them hard to find. Sectors like aerospace and medical devices have stringent requirements, narrowing the talent pool. This is a key reason many companies work with a specialist agency to overcome the engineering talent shortage.
What makes a Quality Engineer properly qualified?
A truly qualified Quality Engineer possesses a specific blend of academic credentials, hands-on industry experience, and deep knowledge of relevant quality standards.
Finding this unique combination in one candidate is a significant challenge. For example, a role in the automotive sector requires different standard knowledge (like IATF 16949) compared to the pharmaceutical industry (ISO 13485). A competent technical recruiter can effectively screen for this specific mix of skills.
Finding this unique combination in one candidate is a significant challenge. For example, a role in the automotive sector requires different standard knowledge (like IATF 16949) compared to the pharmaceutical industry (ISO 13485). A competent technical recruiter can effectively screen for this specific mix of skills.
How can we improve our retention of Quality Engineers?
High staff turnover for Quality Engineers is frequently caused by a perceived lack of career progression and development opportunities.
These professionals are ambitious and seek growth. To improve retention, you must offer clear career paths and invest in training like Six Sigma. A strong employee development plan and competitive compensation are crucial.
These professionals are ambitious and seek growth. To improve retention, you must offer clear career paths and invest in training like Six Sigma. A strong employee development plan and competitive compensation are crucial.
Why are our job adverts for Quality Engineers failing?
Job adverts may fail to attract Quality Engineers if the salary is uncompetitive, the role is poorly defined, or the advert doesn’t effectively market the opportunity.
Your advert must resonate with what quality professionals value. Is the company culture highlighted? Is the career path clear? Evaluating how good your employer brand is can provide valuable insights and improve application rates for roles you post on boards like our jobs page.
Your advert must resonate with what quality professionals value. Is the company culture highlighted? Is the career path clear? Evaluating how good your employer brand is can provide valuable insights and improve application rates for roles you post on boards like our jobs page.
What is the 2025 UK salary for a Quality Engineer?
In 2025, a Quality Engineer’s salary in the UK is dictated by their experience level, industry, and location.
An entry-level engineer might earn between £28,000 and £38,000, while experienced engineers can expect £40,000 to £60,000. Senior roles, especially in key hubs like Birmingham or Manchester, can command salaries over £65,000. For precise figures, consider our free talent market mapping service.
An entry-level engineer might earn between £28,000 and £38,000, while experienced engineers can expect £40,000 to £60,000. Senior roles, especially in key hubs like Birmingham or Manchester, can command salaries over £65,000. For precise figures, consider our free talent market mapping service.
What benefits does a specialist engineering recruiter offer?
A specialist agency provides access to a broader, pre-vetted talent pool, including passive candidates who are not on public job boards.
Agencies like Sigma bring deep market knowledge, manage the time-intensive screening and interviewing process, and deliver better-matched candidates. This significantly reduces hiring time and the risk of a bad hire, which is why we’ve detailed how to choose the right agency.
Agencies like Sigma bring deep market knowledge, manage the time-intensive screening and interviewing process, and deliver better-matched candidates. This significantly reduces hiring time and the risk of a bad hire, which is why we’ve detailed how to choose the right agency.
Example Quality Engineer Profiles
25919 – Quality Engineer – £40k+
- Degree qualified with circa 8 years of industry experience
- Has worked across medical device, FMCG, plastic and electronics manufacturing environments
- Originally completed a degree in Forensic Science before completing a recognised quality-focused qualification.
- Experienced with a range of quality standards such as ISO:9001, ISO:14001 and ISO:13485
- Used to being involved in inspection work and coordinating documentation as part of positions.
- Industry experience: Medical Devices FMCG Plastics Electronics
70713 – Quality Engineer – £42k+
- Expert quality professional with circa 18 years of industry experience
- Has worked predominantly in an electro-mechanical FMCG product manufacturing setup.
- 10 years of supervisory experience
- Used to utilising tools such as 8D, CAPA, 5 WHYs, PFMEA, PPAP, DOE and SPC
- Has completed Six Sigma Black Belt training.
- Holds an IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
- Industry experience: FMCG
70444 – Supplier Quality Engineer – £50k+
- A degree-qualified quality engineer with circa 14 years of experience gained in the oil & gas industry.
- Well-versed in implementing supplier improvement plans on NCR trends and RCA investigations.
- Good working knowledge of ISO 9001, adept at completing supplier-based audits.
- Adept at using techniques like Ishikawa, 8D and 5WHY.
- Holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Available for an immediate start.
- Industry experience: Heavy Industrial
Why Use Sigma As Your Quality Engineer Recruitment Agency?
Sigma Recruitment has a proven track record of supporting businesses in finding experienced, quality engineers who can enhance quality assurance, drive process improvement, and ensure compliance. Whether your focus is on manufacturing, automotive, medical devices, or other technical industries, we can connect you with the right engineering talent to meet your business goals.
Ready to Hire Your Next Quality Engineer?
Are you ready to find the talent you need? Our specialist consultants are ready to help. You can submit your vacancy online, email us at rhys@sigmarecruitment.co.uk, call 02920 450 100, or book a vacancy discussion call directly in Rhys’s calendar below.
