Graduate Supplier Quality Development (SQD) Engineer

Nissan Motor Corporation

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Nissan’s Supplier Quality Development (SQD) team ensures components supplied to manufacturing operations meet standards for quality, reliability and performance. The Graduate SQD Engineer works with suppliers, engineers, manufacturing teams and purchasing functions to develop robust manufacturing processes and deliver quality excellence. The role is based at either Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK in Sunderland or Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, with work involving suppliers across the UK, Europe and occasionally globally.

The position provides on-the-job training and a structured development programme covering supplier quality management, auditing and assessment, automotive manufacturing technologies and process evaluation, new supplier sourcing, quality improvement methodologies, and data analysis and reporting. The successful candidate will be mentored by experienced SQD engineers and develop toward specialist supplier-quality and manufacturing-excellence roles, including recognised audit certification and becoming a Certified Nissan Auditor.

The role is full-time and permanent, although the posting describes the position as a fixed-term position through January 2029, when sponsorship may become available if the role becomes permanent. The expected employment start date is January 2027. The position requires travel domestically and internationally. The role offers a competitive starting salary of £35,967.91, a remote-working policy allowing a maximum of two days per week working from home, flexible working options, and a 39-hour working week.

Requirements

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Engineering at 2:1/merit or higher.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic automotive manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Existing and independent right to work in the UK for the duration of the fixed-term position; visa sponsorship is unavailable for this period. Applicants must include a CV with their application.

Nice To Haves

• Placement year, internship or project experience in manufacturing or engineering.
• Knowledge of automotive quality tools and methodologies, including FMEA, Control Plans, 8D Problem Solving or IATF 16949.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside experienced SQD engineers and undertake on-the-job training.
• Support supplier quality investigations and improvement activities.
• Assist with supplier assessments, process audits and quality reviews.
• Monitor supplier quality performance and identify trends through data analysis.
• Support New Model Introduction and vehicle launch activities.
• Review manufacturing processes, quality controls and production readiness.
• Participate in NPQP (Nissan Product Quality Procedure) and problem-solving activities.
• Work with Purchasing, Engineering and Plant Quality teams.
• Support suppliers in implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop knowledge of supplier quality management, supplier auditing and assessment, manufacturing technologies, process evaluation, new supplier sourcing, quality improvement, data analysis and quality reporting.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary starting at £35,967.91.
• Remote-working policy allowing a maximum of two days per week working from home.
• Flexible working options and two-plus/minus flexible-hour adjustments, subject to manager approval.
• 26 days of holiday plus bank holidays.
• Free private medical cover.
• Nissan car ownership and finance scheme.
• Free onsite parking and subsidised restaurant.
• Onsite gym facilities.
• Career development and learning opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level