Graduate Engineering Operations Leader (Flow Line Leadership Program)

Graduate Engineering Operations Leader role preparing future engineering leaders through a structured programme focused on engineering operations, Lean improvement, and team leadership within the aerospace sector.

Job Requirements

At Quest Global, it’s not just what we do but how and why we do it that makes us different. With over 25 years as an engineering services provider, we believe in the power of doing things differently to make the impossible possible.

Our people are driven by the desire to make the world a better place—to make a positive difference that contributes to a brighter future. We bring together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals who are empowered by an intentional workplace culture, to solve problems better and faster.

Graduate Engineering Operations Leader (Flow Line Leadership Program)

Role Purpose

The Graduate Engineering Operations Leader is a structured development role designed to prepare high-potential graduates for a future position as an Engineering Flow Line Leader within the Engineering Non-Conformance team.

Working alongside experienced engineering leaders and subject matter experts, you will develop the technical, operational and leadership skills required to manage the end-to-end engineering workflow supporting repair development, non-conformance resolution, design changes and engineering approvals for aero-engine components.

Over a structured 2–3-year development program, you will progressively take ownership of engineering process delivery, learning how to lead multidisciplinary teams, improve operational performance and deliver exceptional customer outcomes using Lean principles.

About the Role

This is an ideal opportunity for graduates who enjoy solving complex problems, working with people and improving business performance.

You do not need an engineering degree or previous aerospace experience. Instead, we are looking for individuals with strong analytical ability, leadership potential and a genuine interest in operations, engineering and continuous improvement.

Through structured mentoring and on-the-job experience, you will learn: 

• Gas turbine products and engineering processes

• Engineering non-conformance management

• Repair processes

• Lean operations and continuous improvement

• Visual management

• Engineering planning and capacity management

• Customer delivery

• Stakeholder management

• Leadership and coaching

Typical Responsibilities

 During your development program you will progressively learn to: 

Engineering Operations

• Coordinate engineering workflow across multiple specialist teams

• Monitor engineering delivery against agreed KPIs

• Support planning and prioritisation of engineering activities

• Track work through the engineering process

• Escalate risks before they affect customer delivery

• Support engineering governance and operational reviews 

Continuous Improvement

• Identify waste within engineering processes

• Support Lean improvement initiatives

• Develop visual management tools and reporting

• Analyse process performance data

• Recommend improvements to reduce lead time and improve customer value 

Leadership Development

• Build effective relationships with engineering specialists

• Develop influencing and communication skills

• Learn to facilitate cross-functional meetings

• Support problem-solving workshops

• Coach others as experience develops

Customer Focus

• Understand customer priorities and contractual commitments

• Support delivery against Quality, Cost and Delivery KPIs

• Help coordinate urgent customer requirements

• Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Development Program

Over approximately 2–3 years you will complete a structured development pathway including:

Year 1 – Learn

• Engineering fundamentals

• Gas turbine familiarisation

• Engineering process understanding

• Lean Foundation

• Engineering workflow coordination

• Visual management

• Customer awareness

Year 2 – Apply

• Lead small engineering flowlines

• Manage operational priorities

• Deliver improvement projects

• Develop stakeholder management

• Coach junior colleagues

• Support customer reviews 

Year 3 – Lead

• Full ownership of an engineering flowline

• Operational decision making

• Capacity planning

• KPI ownership

• Customer interface

• Leadership of coordinators

• Readiness for appointment as Flowline Leader

What We’re Looking For 

Essential

• Degree (2:1 or above preferred) in Business Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management or similar discipline

• Excellent communication skills

• Strong analytical thinking

• Ability to organise competing priorities

• Curiosity and willingness to learn

• Positive attitude towards continuous improvement

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to influence without authority

• High level of personal accountability 

Desirable

• Placement or internship experience

• Lean or Six Sigma awareness

• Experience leading university projects or societies

• Knowledge of manufacturing or engineering environments

• Advanced Excel or data analysis capability

Success Looks Like

• Following successful completion of the program you will be able to:

• Lead an Engineering Flowline independently

• Deliver engineering work to agreed customer KPIs

• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams

• Drive Lean improvements across engineering processes

• Build trusted customer relationships

• Coach and develop others

• Manage operational risk and delivery performance