Lead Technical Auditor (ISO 17000)

Trust, credibility, and technical excellence sit at the heart of everything we do.

At BRE, our assurance and certification services play a critical role in maintaining confidence in the built environment. We are now seeking a Lead Technical Auditor (ISO 17000 series) to provide independent, expert assurance across our conformity assessment, testing, and certification activities.

This is a high-impact role for an experienced technical auditor who thrives on rigour, objectivity, and continual improvement. You will operate at the centre of accreditation, governance, and assurance, helping to ensure BRE's services continue to meet the highest international standards.

Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable!

BRE aims to be the world's leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

Your role at BRE

The Lead Technical Auditor provides independent technical assurance that conformity assessment, certification, and testing activities comply with ISO/IEC 17000 series standards and accreditation requirements within BRE's Assurance business unit.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Plan, conduct, and report internal technical audits against ISO/IEC 17000 series standards and internal management system requirements
• Verify compliance, technical competence, impartiality, and effectiveness of conformity assessment and laboratory activities
• Identify, document, and communicate nonconformities, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Monitor and verify the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions and root cause analysis
• Provide objective audit evidence and clear, evidence-based reporting to support management review and continual improvement
• Work collaboratively with Assurance management teams to address findings and mitigate current and future risks
• Support preparation for external accreditation assessments, including UKAS audits
• Maintain independence and technical integrity in all audit activities

What we are looking for

• Strong working knowledge of the ISO/IEC 17000 series standards, including ISO/IEC 17020, 17025, and 17065
• Proven experience planning, conducting, and reporting internal technical audits within certification, testing, or conformity assessment environments
• Solid understanding of accreditation requirements and assessment processes, including UKAS
• Ability to evaluate technical competence, impartiality, and management system effectiveness within laboratory and assurance activities
• Experience identifying, documenting, and communicating nonconformities, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Capability to assess root cause analysis and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions
• Strong evidence-based auditing and reporting capability, with clear and objective written outputs
• Knowledge of quality and laboratory processes, including risk-based thinking, impartiality, measurement uncertainty, calibration, and proficiency testing
• Experience supporting preparation for external accreditation and surveillance audits
• Ability to work collaboratively with management teams while maintaining audit independence and objectivity
• Understanding of construction products, testing, or research environments
• Commitment to maintaining the technical integrity, assurance standards, and accreditation status of BRE

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

Financial & Security Benefits

• Pension scheme - 5% employer-matched contribution
• Life assurance - 4x your basic salary
• Enhanced maternity package

Health & Wellbeing

• HealthPartners cashback scheme - Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more
• Onsite facilities - Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

Career Development

• Learning & development - Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform
• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

Work Location Options

Hybrid - This role offers a mix of home and office working. You will need to be within commuting distance of our Watford office, as you will be expected to attend in person (2-3 times per week).

Our Recruitment Process

Closing date 24th Feb 2026

Our specialist hiring team will review all applications and shortlist candidates. We'll then update you on the outcome of your application.

If successful in the first stage, you will be invited to a virtual or in-person second-stage interview.

Note to Employment Agencies

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

Equal Opportunities Statement

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.