Quality Auditor (Contract)

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-driven and independent Contract Internal Auditor to plan and perform quality management system and product quality audits within an aerospace manufacturing environment. The auditor will evaluate conformity to AS9100, applicable regulatory and customer requirements, and internal procedures; verify that products and production records meet defined requirements; document objective evidence; and support timely, sustainable corrective action. The role partners across Quality, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Document Control while maintaining auditor objectivity and confidentiality.

Job Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and conduct risk-based internal audits of the quality management system, processes, and supporting functions in accordance with the approved audit program.

• Perform product quality audits using drawings, specifications, work instructions, inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and customer requirements to verify product and documentation conformity.

• Review manufacturing records such as work orders, inspection and test records, first article documentation, nonconformance records, certifications, and traceability records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.

• Collect and document objective evidence through interviews, observation, record review, and sampling; maintain clear audit trails and working papers.

• Classify and write audit findings that clearly identify the requirement, objective evidence, and observed nonconformity or opportunity for improvement.

• Conduct opening and closing meetings, communicate results professionally, and issue concise audit reports within established timelines.

• Enter, track, and follow up on corrective actions; evaluate containment, root-cause analysis, planned actions, implementation, and evidence of effectiveness.

• Identify recurring issues and systemic trends, and communicate risk-based recommendations without assuming process ownership.

• Coordinate audit schedules and evidence requests with process owners while minimizing disruption to operations.

• Support customer, registrar, and regulatory audits by retrieving records, explaining the internal audit program, and assisting with response coordination as requested.

• Protect proprietary, export-controlled, customer, employee, and supplier information obtained during audits.

• Perform other quality assurance and compliance activities within the agreed contract scope.

Job Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing quality, including direct audit, inspection, quality engineering, or quality systems experience.

• Working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 requirements and the ability to translate requirements into an audit plan and objective-evidence trail.

• Demonstrated experience reviewing manufacturing and inspection documentation, technical drawings, specifications, and product acceptance records.

• Ability to write clear, factual, and defensible audit findings and reports.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and electronic quality/document management systems.

• Strong communication, organization, analytical judgment, and attention to detail.

• Ability to remain independent and objective when auditing assigned activities.

• Must meet applicable U.S. Person requirements for access to export-controlled information under U.S. ITAR regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field.

• Recognized auditor training or certification, such as ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Exemplar Global, or an AS9100 internal/lead auditor course.

• Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection, product/process auditing, aerospace customer requirements, FAA-regulated operations, or Nadcap special processes.

• Experience evaluating corrective action using structured methods such as 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, 8D, or similar root-cause tools.

• Experience with statistical sampling, trend analysis, and risk-based audit planning.

Compensation Data

Salary Range: $79,746.00 - $99,682.00

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.