Job Title: Lead Quality Engineer

Job Description

As a Lead Quality Engineer, you will be responsible for driving quality management with assigned suppliers, implementing quality plans, and conducting comprehensive product and process reviews. You will conduct supplier audits, ensure compliance, and develop improvement plans as needed, requiring a mastery of theoretical knowledge and a strong foundation in purchasing and sourcing concepts.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Supplier Quality Assurance and Supplier Quality Development.
• Conduct supplier qualifications, action plans, audits, performance monitoring, and assist suppliers towards achieving industrial standards of excellence.
• Own compliance and conformance of all supply base requirements.
• Collaborate with the sourcing organization to ensure engineering requirements and compliance with all flowdowns.
• Develop new solutions under guidance or based on organizational precedents.
• Coordinate with suppliers to drive root cause and corrective action investigations.
• Specify needs, communicate project approaches, and present research outcomes.
• Perform audits at the supply base.
• Balance tactical execution with strategic initiatives for cost reduction.
• Provide technical/commercial assistance to Commodity Buyers to enhance manufacturing process awareness.
• Participate actively in supplier performance reviews.
• Advise Functional Managers on projects and procedures within the field.
• Contribute to projects as a team member or lead small projects.
• Deliver results measured by key metrics such as supplier first-time yield, process capability, and corrective action closure.
• Drive Six Sigma quality internally and with suppliers.
• Provide leadership during major problem investigations and special projects.

Essential Skills

• Expertise in Root Cause Analysis, Quality Engineering, and Quality Assurance.
• Experience with APQP, ISHIKAWA, 8D, and AS 9100 standards.
• Proficiency in First Article Inspection (FAI) and supplier quality management.
• Strong understanding of aerospace, DOD, manufacturing, and mission assurance.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, or a high school diploma/GED with at least 4 years of experience in Manufacturing or Quality Engineering.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership abilities.
• Ability to influence and lead small teams.
• Capability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective problem identification and solution skills.
• Proven analytical and organizational ability.

Work Environment

The work environment is a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant located on the water. It involves the production of advanced components for aircraft and airline customers. The flagship product is the Nacelle/Thrust Reverser, a large brake system for jet engines. The facility is large and well-maintained, providing an inspiring setting for innovative engineering work.