Measurement and Quality Technician

Measurement and Quality Technician

As a subsidiary of Toyota Industries (TICO), Vanderlande North America is enjoying rapid growth and extraordinary market demand. Vanderlande is a global market leader in material handling system manufacture, design, installation, and service. Vanderlande systems employ the latest in robotic, mechanical, and software technology. Vanderlande's customers are household names in e-commerce, package delivery, and air transportation.

Job Summary:

The Measurement and Quality Technician is part of the QA team, reporting to the Manager Supply QA.

As a metrology specialist, you perform dimensional measurements for items purchased from suppliers or manufactured by Vanderlande. Inspections are carried out either on Vanderlande premises, at customer sites or at the location of the supplier (pre shipment inspections, first articles validations).

You are an expert on measurement including Geometrical Tolerancing and Dimensioning (GD&T) and advise Quality Engineers and Design Engineers (Technology) colleagues on measurability of drawing requirements and how to apply functional tolerances that are both effective and practical.

You are instrumental in aligning with suppliers to establish valid inspection processes and correlate their measurements with Vanderlande results. You know how to assess process capabilities (Cpk). You maintain all gauges in active calibrated status, and you know how to assess gauge R&R.

You know the different measurement tools and gauges necessary to inspect various features and can recommend adequate instruments for each drawing requirement. You know how to use traditional analog and digital instruments (calipers, height gauges, dial indicators, micrometers, optical comparators, surface finish, hardness, coating and color) as well as programmable instruments (articulated arm, 3D scanner, CMM). CMM programming knowledge is a plus, but validation of CMM programs and results is a requirement.

The Measurement and Quality Technician accurately documents the results of the measurements performed, providing trustworthy data for discussions with the suppliers. You are responsible for confirming suspected non-conformities and generating the Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) to inform the suppliers, get their quality team to validate the issue and initiate the root cause analysis.

You act as a Subject Matter Expert to advise the Quality Engineers about risks and potential issues and plays a supporting role in the root cause analysis of non-conformities.

Essential Functions (Job Duties & Responsibilities)

Plan measurements and inspections:

• Review incoming Purchase Orders selected for inspection (risk based) and plan workload accordingly
• Communicate to suppliers about inspections that they need to perform and review their data
• Identify inspections that are beyond in-house capabilities and coordinate with outside lab
• Communicate changes in inspection planning to stakeholders (response times based on workload)

Perform measurements and inspections:

• Read and understand drawing dimensional requirements and GD&T call outs, welding symbols, etc.
• Perform product quality inspections according to AQL-standard (ISO 2895-1)
• Write measurement protocols for complex inspection, to ensure correlated results from suppliers
• Validate supplier inspections and spot check results to ensure valid data is used for acceptance

Process measurements and inspections:

• Write and communicate formal measurement and inspection reports.
• Enter Inspection test results in the ERP system
• Perform Quality Walks and random process checks to identify issues that could have been missed

Monitor measurements and inspections:

• Assess on going risks based on the quality results of the supplier
• Recommend changes in the item/supplier inspection levels (AQL)

Solve problems and improve:

• In case of non-conformity, initiate the Supplier Corrective Action Request,
• You organize the containment actions (return to supplier, supplier visits, sorting, rework validation…)
• Actively drive the resolution of issues when a product non-conformity has been identified
• Act as a partner for process improvement, recommend changes as needed

Knowledge and Technical skills

• Associate degree in metrology (CGTC, etc.) or 10+ years of experience in mechanical inspection
• Knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5 or ISO 8015, 1101, 5459, 2768 etc.), both theoretical and in practice
• Experience with articulated arm measurements (probe and laser) and Polyworks software (min 2 years)
• Knowledge of metal and plastics manufacturing processes (sheet metal cutting and forming, welding, machining, roll forming, powder coating…) and how to inspect their results
• Basic statistical knowledge (Histogram, Process capability etc.)
• Perform gauge R&R assessments, interpret and improve results, and determine measurement limits
• Working knowledge of the PPAP process for first article assessment, and supplier correlation
• Manage calibration of gauges, either in house or outsourced per schedule
• Practical knowledge of 6S and OSHA requirements, keeping inspection area safe, clean and organized

Soft skills

• Analytical and detail oriented, critical thinking to ensure accuracy of results
• Strong communication skills written and verbally
• Self-starter and planner of own work, ability to adjust to workload variations
• Hands-on approach and pragmatic and creative to get things done
• Ability to report conformity or not, separate of whether it could be acceptable (Designer's decision)
• Experience in applying problem solving methods (8D, A3, 4 blocker…)
• Ability to train others and develop their metrology skills

Preferred skills / nice to have

• Basis knowledge of Lean, Six sigma and standard work principles. Green belt is a plus.
• CMM programming (PCDMIS, Calypso…)
• Knowledge of A2LA requirements and ISO/IEC 17025
• Auditing skills (certified auditor is a plus)
• Knowledge of material handling equipment or similar

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Able to perform physical work such as lifting products up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to work standing up most of the day and walk around the warehouse and shop floor daily
• Ability to travel up to 10%