Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer provides technical support and quality expertise to assure that all products manufactured by the organization meet/exceed customer expectations. This role is expected to:

Champion quality disciplines internally and at suppliers including effective problem-solving, timely corrective and preventative action, process controls, verification and timely closure.

Maintain compliance to IATF 16949, regulatory and customers’ quality systems requirements; supports process improvement and effective management review.

Provide quality leadership to change management and product / process development applying PPAP, APQP and FMEA for new products, equipment, and process changes assuring compliance to customer specific requirements.

Coordinate with stakeholders and customers to improve customer satisfaction (ppm). Assures that production schedules and customer requirements are met relevant to quality activities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities :

Investigate reports of product / process nonconformities and improve process capability:

Lead structured problem solving for internal and external issues, scrap, rework or returns.

Coordinate with customers to return samples for material review.

Follow-up/arrange containment, assure accurate counts, identification and disposition of all suspect material. Certify corrected shipments.

Drive internal and supplier corrective action with effective cross-functional 8D and root cause analysis; assure effective corrective and preventative actions, verification and timely closure. Provide results/updates to customers as needed.

Provides a high level of service to all internal and external customers.

Manage all quality audit s and special studies; includes dock, in-process and incoming.

Plan and conduct inspections, product and process audits.

Recommend/adjust audit frequencies and/or inspection criteria.

Arrange/conduct capability studies and analyze results as needed.

Develop data collection worksheets and work instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality performance data.

Assure documented information is maintained and retained in compliance to IATF 16949 and customer requirements.

Maintain clear, complete, concise instructions; review, approve and issue documents

Assure current methods reflect best practices

Set-up inspections and complete transactions in QSC and MRP as needed.

Driving consistent execution throughout the organization.

Retain complete, accurate quality records (i.e. PPAP, customer approvals, inspection plans and results, nonconformities, dispositions and 8D status)

Document results obtained during all quality activities consistent with company policies and procedures.

Coordinate / direct required inspections and documentation of SAMPLE orders.

Reviews First Article Inspection Reports and other relevant quality reports

Schedule and monitor annual layout for all active parts.

Lead/conduct IATF16949 internal audits, support layered process audits, coordinate/support 3rd party certification audits and customer audits (such as VDA 6.3) as assigned.

Prepare performance metrics and management review content.

Customer satisfaction: lead actions to improve customer scorecards, address audit or survey results and drive reduction in overall ppm.

Assure new/changed products, processes and equipment are managed through Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) approach according to customer requirements.

Assure change communication with customer occurs in a timely manner

Complete PPAP submissions as defined by customers

Update process flows, PFMEA's, and Control Plans

Coordinate /perform gage studies per Measurement System Analysis,

Conduct/analyze Process Capability Studies

Assure all Customer Specific Requirements are addressed as needed

Actively contribute to CIP (Continuous Improvement Process) development of all processes.

Partner with Supply Chain / Purchasing to improve capability and stability of supplier impacting product quality and/or process control. Conduct supplier audits as assigned.

Plan and organize projects through the use of performance data. Track project status through regular meetings, documenting progress with metrics. Effectively oversee obstacles in order to maintain project progress.

Utilize the PFMEA process to improve the effectiveness of Receiving Inspection. to create efficient product flow.

Communicates significant issues or developments identified during quality activities and provides recommended process improvements to management and suppliers. Support other quality initiatives and duties as assigned.

Necessary Skills & Experience:

A minimum of 3 years in engineering, quality or project management in automotive, manufacturing and/or steel heat treating industry preferred.

Demonstrates “can do" approach; ability to adapt and streamline processes and champion change with strong flexible work ethic.

Demonstrates ability to read and interpret complex product drawings and GD&T callouts.

Proficient in Microsoft Office: (Excel, Word, and Outlook with PowerPoint preferred);

Working knowledge of quality system requirements/compliance to ISO 9001 minimum; IATF16949 with use of AIAG PPAP, FMEA, APQP (Control Plans), Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Measurement System Analysis (MSA), preferred.

Proficient interpreting engineering drawings for precision automotive components with complex GD&T callouts and gear data. Working understanding of measurement methods, layout inspection (CMM), gage calibration and industry standards for inspection and testing preferred;

Strong verbal presentation and clear concise written communication skills appropriate to audience. Interfaces with different levels within the organization.

Demonstrates success in establishing positive collaborative relationships; direct external customer experience preferred. Contributes to positive teamwork environment.

Organizational and time management skills; must also be capable of working independently.

Ability to lead others and work effectively in a fast paced, team environment

Ability to understand and apply customer specifications, customer specific and automotive requirements; experience with automotive PPAP requirements and submissions preferred

Experience with quality transactions and research in ERP or QSC equiv. system preferred

Experience in structured problem-solving and data analysis; knowledge of quality tools and statistical analysis; Six Sigma, Shainin or Lean preferred. Minitab experience preferred

Production Machining – Fabrication – CNC background in Tier 1-2 automotive preferred

Experience with Heat Treatment processes, destructive and non-destructive tests preferred

Experience with CMM, Optical comparator, Contour Trace, and/or calibration preferred

Attention to detail, excellent vision, fine motor skills and good judgment

Training & Education:

Bachelor degree in a technical field, such as Engineering, Statistics, or Sciences.

ASQ Quality certifications (CQE, CRE, Black Belt etc.) preferred.

IATF 16949 internal auditor certification preferred.

Salary is negotiable based upon experience.