Quality Engineer

Job Description

Support the Parts Quality Mass Production Team to prevent the outflow of supplier defects, perform technical investigations and analysis of problems, and implement countermeasures, while also managing change points to minimize production impact.

Responsibilities

• Work with supplier representatives to address daily mass production quality problems by gathering part measurement and inspection data, and utilizing problem-solving tools for analysis, investigation, and countermeasure activities.
• Approve supplier countermeasures and change points prior to Team Lead final approval.
• Coordinate meetings with suppliers, in-house departments, and R&D groups to address complex issues and establish countermeasures.
• Support supplier Quality Assurance Visits (QAVs) to confirm adequate investigations have been completed at the supplier and countermeasures are implemented to eliminate non-conforming conditions.
• Support Team Lead with monthly reporting to share top concern items, investigation details, and countermeasures following the PDCA cycle.
• Review and approve system design changes.
• Assist new and existing associates with understanding, application, and enforcement of the quality management system.
• Support with the evaluation of associate skill levels and performance, focusing on the development of problem-solving, technical investigation, and implementing countermeasures.

Essential Skills

• Quality engineering
• Process improvement
• Root cause analysis
• Engineering
• Minimizing supplier quality issues using root cause analysis
• Implementing temporary solutions and permanent countermeasures to ensure minimal line impact and optimal product quality
• Judging quality of parts as conforming or non-conforming for use in production
• Authority to request supplier to replace defective parts with countermeasure parts
• Approve supplier countermeasures and supplier change points before production usage

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Plastics injection process knowledge
• Blow molding process knowledge
• Plastics process quality control activities
• Plastics failure analysis
• Plastics parts measurement (CMM)
• Part scanning for problem investigation and analysis
• Molding parameter changes and tracking
• Weld Quality Engineer
• Weld Quality Control
• Weld Quality inspection – identifying cold welds, offseam welds
• Knowledge of weld types – fillet weld, butt weld, T-joint weld, etc.
• Knowledge of weld characteristics – % penetration, leg length, throat length, etc.
• Weld macro testing – cut samples, etching, microscope analysis, etc.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience within a manufacturing environment and working with OEM suppliers
• Able to work in a team environment
• Flexible schedule
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Analytical problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (by phone, in person, and email)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks by prioritizing and balancing workload
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Show initiative and act independently to resolve problems
• Negotiation and team collaboration skills
• Time management skills
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products
• Must manage team daily activities, plan vs. actual
• Must be able to give presentations and speak in front of groups of associates and management

Work Environment

Travel between the production floor and office area to address quality issues. Schedule meeting rooms to meet with suppliers to review problem details and set plans for improvement. Travel at least 30% of work time to other locations for quality control activities and benchmarking. Must lead associates to achieve objectives listed above and instruct direct reports on work schedules and report team progress to the team leads. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including off-shifts and weekends as necessary. Must be able to work overtime as necessary to support department needs (short term and/or scheduled). Must have a valid form of identification to be able to travel by ground or air to domestic and/or foreign locations.