Quality Engineer

Position Summary:

The Quality Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality systems and processes to ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements. This position works closely with production, engineering, suppliers, and customers to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, reduce defects, and improve overall product quality and process capability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control plans, inspection procedures, and testing methods.
• Analyze manufacturing processes and product data to identify quality issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and PFMEA.
• Coordinate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to resolve quality concerns.
• Monitor and analyze key quality metrics including:
• Scrap rates
• Defect rates
• First Pass Yield (FPY)
• Cp/Cpk
• Customer complaints
• Internal nonconformances
• Support production teams in troubleshooting process and product quality issues.
• Conduct internal audits and support external customer, regulatory, and certification audits.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements to ensure compliance.
• Evaluate measurement systems through Gage R&R studies and calibration programs.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies.
• Maintain quality documentation including procedures, work instructions, control plans, and inspection records.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address supplier quality issues and drive improvements.
• Participate in new product launches, process validations, and PPAP activities when applicable.
• Prepare quality reports and presentations for management review meetings.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality environment preferred.
• Experience with quality management systems such as ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949, or similar standards.
• Experience with customer complaint investigations and corrective actions.

Technical Skills

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications.
• Proficiency with SPC, process capability analysis, and statistical methods.
• Experience with inspection and metrology equipment including:
• CMMs
• Micrometers
• Calipers
• Height gages
• Optical comparators
• Knowledge of root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Experience with ERP and quality management software
• Experience in precision machining, aerospace, defense, automotive, or metal manufacturing industries

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Team-oriented mindset
• Leadership and project management skills
• Data-driven decision making

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout manufacturing and office environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform inspections for extended periods.

Performance Metrics

Success in this role may be evaluated through:

• Reduction in internal defect rates
• Reduction in customer complaints
• Improvement in Cp/Cpk performance
• Audit results
• Completion of corrective actions on schedule
• Supplier quality performance improvements
• Continuous improvement project savings
• On-time completion of quality investigations

This version is tailored for a precision manufacturing environment such as Arch Precision and reflects responsibilities involving SPC, metrology, root cause analysis, CMMs, audits, customer quality issues, and continuous improvement.