Lead Auditor - 6 Months FTC

Lead Auditor (AS9100 Rev D) - Immediate Start 
6-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Ampthill, Bedfordshire | Hybrid Working
£45,000 - £50,000 + Benefits

Our client, a leading global engineering and defence organisation, is seeking an experienced Lead Auditor to support a major AS9100 Rev D recertification programme at their Bedfordshire site.

This is an excellent opportunity for an auditor with strong experience in regulated manufacturing or engineering environments to play a critical role in ensuring audit readiness, driving compliance activities, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

The successful candidate will join an established Quality team and work closely with key stakeholders across engineering, manufacturing, and operational functions.

The Role You will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the existing Quality Management System against AS9100 Rev D requirements, identifying compliance gaps, leading internal audit activities, and driving corrective actions through to completion.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting detailed gap analyses against AS9100 Rev D requirements
• Planning and delivering internal audits across products, processes, and management systems
• Developing audit schedules and audit checklists
• Reviewing documentation, records, and operational processes for compliance
• Raising and managing Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs)
• Leading root cause investigations and corrective action activities
• Tracking CAPAs through to successful closure
• Supporting external audit preparation and execution
• Producing audit reports and presenting findings to management
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across the business

Candidate Requirements To be considered, applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 Revision D
• Proven experience operating as a Lead Auditor
• Experience within a manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, automotive, rail, defence, or similarly regulated environment
• A track record of conducting internal and external audits
• Experience managing non-conformances, CAPAs, and root cause investigations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication abilities

Desirable

• Lean or Six Sigma certification
• Previous experience supporting AS9100 certification or recertification programmes
• Experience within aerospace or defence sectors

What's on Offer?

• £50,000 salary (circa)
• 6-month fixed-term contract
• Potential opportunity for a permanent position in the future
• Hybrid working arrangement
• 4-day working week (Monday–Thursday)
• Opportunity to join a high-profile engineering programme

Additional Information

• Location: Ampthill, Bedfordshire
• Hybrid working: Two days on-site and two days remote
• BPSS clearance required to start
• Must be eligible to obtain Security Clearance (SC)

Due to the immediate nature of this requirement, candidates with short notice periods or immediate availability are particularly encouraged to apply.