SQE Lead

Job Description:

SQE Lead (Safety, Quality & Environment)

Location: Midlands (with travel to depots/sites as required)
Reporting to: Managing Director
Working with: Executive & Senior Leadership Team
Sector: Heavy Industry – Rail, Energy, Automotive or Manufacturing

Role Purpose

The SQE Lead will be responsible for leading and embedding best-in-class Safety, Quality and Environmental standards across the organisation’s rail vehicle overhaul and maintenance operations.

This is a senior, influential role working closely with the leadership team to shape, govern, and continuously improve company-wide SQE frameworks, ensuring compliance with rail industry regulations while driving a proactive safety and quality culture.

The role will act as the custodian of standards, ensuring that safety and quality are integral to operational delivery, business growth, and client confidence.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company’s safety management system.
• Ensure compliance with relevant rail industry standards, legislation, and regulatory requirements (e.g. ROGS, HSWA, RSSB guidance).
• Act as the principal authority on safety matters, providing expert advice to the leadership team.
• Promote a strong, positive safety culture across all depots and functions.
• Lead accident, incident, and near-miss investigations, ensuring robust root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Oversee risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work.

Quality Management

• Own and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management System.
• Ensure maintenance, overhaul, and modification activities meet contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Drive right-first-time delivery through audits, inspections, and performance monitoring.
• Lead internal and external audits, including customer and certification body audits.
• Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Environmental Management

• Oversee environmental compliance and performance across operations.
• Support the development and implementation of environmental objectives and sustainability initiatives.
• Ensure environmental risks are identified, controlled, and monitored effectively.

Leadership & Strategic Influence

• Work collaboratively with the Executive and Senior Leadership Team to shape company standards and strategy.
• Influence operational decision-making to ensure safety and quality are embedded at all levels.
• Provide regular SQE performance reporting, KPIs, and trend analysis to leadership.
• Support business growth by ensuring SQE capability aligns with new contracts, depots, and services.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior SQE, Safety, or Quality role within heavy industry.
• Strong understanding of safety critical environments.
• Proven experience developing and leading safety and quality management systems.
• Demonstrable ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cultural change.
• Experience managing audits, investigations, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) or strong rail safety qualification.
• Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001 essential).

• ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor.
• Rail-specific safety or quality certifications.
• Chartered status (CMIOSH or equivalent).