Quality Lead

United Infrastructure Overview

United Infrastructure is a rapidly expanding business delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors.

Equal Opportunities Statement

United Infrastructure is committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to remove barriers to support a diverse workforce.

Project Quality Lead - Transmission & Distribution

Location: Alness, Scotland (Scotland, UK) Full time Position

Reporting to the HSEQ Manager, the Project Quality Lead establishes, implements, and maintains robust quality management systems across Transmission and Distribution construction projects for a significant 80km transmission infrastructure project in the Scottish Highlands.

Responsibilities

Quality Management & Assurance:

• Develop, implement, and maintain the Project Quality Plan (PQP) in line with ISO Standards, client requirements, and company management systems.
• Establish inspection and test plans (ITPs), quality procedures, and workmanship standards for all UIPT&D phases of construction activities.
• Ensure quality requirements are integrated into project planning, construction methodologies, and supply chain activities.
• Act as the lead adviser for all quality related matters with the client, designer, and supply chain.

Compliance & Governance:

• Ensure compliance with contractual, client technical, industry, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage internal and external audits, including client, certification body, and regulatory audits.
• Track, trend, and report quality performance metrics, non conformances, and improvement actions.

Non Conformance & Corrective Action:

• Lead the identification, investigation, and close out of non conformances (NCRs).
• Ensure root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action implementation.
• Provide assurance that defects are effectively managed and lessons learned captured.

Construction & Operational Interface:

• Embed quality into day to day construction activities with project leaders.
• Provide quality input into method statements, risk assessments, and temporary works.
• Support first article inspections, hold points, and quality surveillance on site.

Supply Chain & Subcontractor Management:

• Assess and approve subcontractor and supplier quality documentation.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and oversee off site and on site quality.
• Support supplier audits and technical assessments.

Continuous Improvement & Culture:

• Promote a strong quality culture across site teams and the wider project organisation.
• Deliver quality briefings, toolbox talks, and awareness sessions.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to business wide improvement initiatives.

Health, Safety & Environmental Interface:

• Collaborate with HSE teams to ensure quality and safety requirements align.
• Support prevention of quality related safety risks, rework, and defects.
• Ensure quality processes support safe systems of work and asset reliability.

Quality Team:

• Manage day to day line supervision of the project quality team.
• Coordinate and manage contracted quality services.

Qualifications & Experience

• Essential: Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Construction, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in a Quality Lead/Quality Manager role within T&D, utilities, or major infrastructure construction.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality assurance principles.
• Desirable: Chartered status or professional membership (e.g., CQP, CQI, IET), Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001).
• Experience under UK DNO/TSO frameworks (e.g., National Grid, SSEN, UKPN).
• Knowledge of asset adoption, commissioning, and handover processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of Transmission & Distribution construction (substations, overhead lines, cable systems).
• Detailed knowledge of quality management systems and assurance methodologies.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and industry standards.
• Effective communicator able to challenge constructively at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including root cause analysis.
• Organised, detail focused, and able to manage multiple quality priorities across complex projects.

Authority & Accountability

• Authority to stop work when serious quality non conformances or specification breaches are identified.
• Accountable for project quality performance and compliance outcomes.
• Responsible for escalating quality risks to project leadership when required.

Benefits

• Competitive Annual Salary: £60,750 - £74,250, with regular reviews.
• Car or Car Allowance (up to £3,750/year taxable).
• Annual leave: 34 days, including 8 public holidays.
• Death in Service: 4 Annual salary.
• Contributory Pension Scheme: Basic level - 3% employee / 6% employer contributions.
• Optional benefits: private medical cover, gym discounts, cycle to work, holiday purchase, leisure and shopping discounts.
• Remote workers: accommodation provision or support, accommodation allowance, meals/food allowance, living away from home allowance.
• Commitment to professional development: tailored development plans.
• National connections and diversity & inclusion initiatives.