Manufacturing Quality Engineer

SUMMARY: The Quality Engineer is a high impact individual contributor responsible for monitoring DECo quality trends against business KPIs and identify areas for focused improvements that support product integrity, process capability, and continuous improvement initiatives through hands-on quality engineering activities. Reporting to the Quality Manager, this role partners closely with Engineering and Operations to prevent defects, analyze process performance, and ensure compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

CORE VALUES

All employees are expected to demonstrate the Company's Core Values through daily actions, decision-making, and interactions:

• Client Oriented - Focus on developing long-term relationships, products, and services that meet client needs.
• Open - Communicate honestly and transparently about capabilities, challenges, and solutions.
• Nimble - Think critically, respond quickly, and adapt effectively to changing priorities and situations.
• Necessary - Recognize that every role contributes to organizational success and take ownership of outcomes.
• Engineering Mindset - Approach challenges by developing practical, thoughtful solutions regardless of role.
• Continuous Improvement - Actively seek opportunities to improve processes, performance, and personal development.
• Teamwork - Collaborate effectively with coworkers, leadership, vendors, and clients to achieve shared goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support SPC deployment and process capability (Cp/Cpk) evaluations on critical characteristics, contributing to stable and capable manufacturing processes.
• Analyze quality data and trends to ensure process stability, identify risks, and drive improvement.
• Create, maintain, and update PFMEAs and control plans to mitigate process and product risk.
• Lead or support root cause investigations and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Establish and execute reaction plans for out-of-control or out-of-spec conditions, including containment and escalation.
• Manage nonconforming material, including MRB and RMA activities, ensuring timely disposition and closure.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and design transfer by validating inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and process controls.
• Complete and maintain PPAP documentation, customer qualifications, AS9102 reports, compliance with ISO 9001 / AS9100 and customer-specific requirements.
• Participate in and support internal audits, customer audits, and supplier quality investigations.
• Maintain accurate and compliant QMS documentation and quality records.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aligned with manufacturing, quality, cost, and delivery goals.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Continuous Improvement & Problem-Solving Ability: Demonstrates a strong commitment to driving systemic quality and continuous improvement through data-driven analysis, root cause investigation, and rapid experimentation. Applies lean and quality tools to identify process gaps, eliminate waste, reduce defects, and implement sustainable improvements across the value stream
• Collaboration, leadership & Execution Ability: Brings a positive, team-centered mindset that fosters collaboration and enables teams to thrive. Capable of independently executing and managing projects, influencing peers and cross-functional teams, and driving initiatives to completion without direct authority.
• Prioritization : Able to prioritize tasks and activities while considering the business needs today vs. the business needs of the future.
• Communication : Proven ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to all levels of the organization.
• Decision Quality: Able to make balanced decisions quickly, considering both customer and organization factors, such as financial impact, impact on core values and/or ability to scale solution appropriately.
• Ethics & Values : Able to stand firm on decisions that may negatively impact production or sales, but are in line with Customer specifications, qualifications, regulatory requirements and/or safety protocol.

KEY COMPETENCIES:
• Customer/Client Focus
• Accountability and Ownership
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Adaptability and Agility
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Integrity and Transparency
• Solution-Oriented Thinking
• Practical Innovation
• Engineering Judgement

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Aerospace, defense, automotive or other regulated industry experience preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive quality experience in a manufacturing or regulated quality environment.
• Strong knowledge of SPC, PFMEA, control plans, equipment qualifications, CAPA, and MRB processes.
• Experience with PPAP, MSA/Gage R&R, FAI, and supplier quality management.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems and regulatory standards with proven track record with ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality systems, audits and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of inspection methods, quality tools, and data analysis.
• Proven track record of problem-solving, effective communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to set and execute SMART goals to ensure timely completion of projects and deliverables.
• Motivational and Influential (always leading by example.)
• Must be able to Multitask.
• Must be able to walk the line between a win / win for both the customer and the business.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Stand under 1/3 of the time.
• Walk under 1/3 of the time.
• Talk or hear 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
• Lift up to 20 pounds under 1/3 of the time.
• The above physical demands include duties such as sitting at workstation using PC, making and receiving phone inquiries, packing files, moving within company to communicate with other departments.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Working conditions are normal for an office environment and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
• Moderate noise (examples: business offices with computers and printers, light traffic and visits to factory).
• Fast-paced manufacturing environment combining office work and frequent time on the production floor
• Regular interaction with production machinery, equipment, and cross-functional teams.
• Some travel (1-3%) may be required during the year.