Quality Engineer

Company Overview

Solecta is an exciting early-stage, high-tech company focused on solving real customer issues and commercializing polymeric industrial filtration products. Solecta has manufacturing facilities in Oceanside, CA. The company is backed by True North Venture Partners, an investing firm that specializes in commercializing and scaling disruptive innovations.

Position Summary

The Quality Engineer helps to create solutions as part of an engineering team. Ensures products and processes meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards from development through production. The QE maintain the QMS (Quality Management System), conduct inspections, analyze defects, and drive root cause analysis (RCCA) to improve product reliability and decrease costs using tools like Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Performs other duties as assigned.

Duties:

• Leads small to medium Lean and Six Sigma projects
• Regular interaction with customers, suppliers, and leadership
• Performs Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Actions: Conducting 8D investigations on the floor to address non-conforming materials.
• Process Audits: Performing "Gemba walks" or line walkthroughs to ensure production teams follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and control plans.
• First Article Inspection (FAI): Verifying the first parts of a production line for new projects or changes.
• Real-time Problem Solving: Supporting production supervisors with immediate quality decisions during assembly or test activities.
• Lead daily MRB (Material Review Board) meetings with cross functional teams.
• Design and create go/no-go gauges and poka-yokes to ensure robust production and quality processes.
• Quality Documentation: Developing and maintaining FMEAs (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), control plans, and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) documents.
• Data Trending: Analyzing production data using statistical tools to identify failure trends and implementing proactive improvements.
• Supplier Quality Management: Reviewing supplier PPAPs and managing corrective action requests (SCAR) for incoming components.
• Cross-functional Collaboration : Meeting with design engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing to plan improvements for product quality.
• Uses observation and testing to identify faults in materials and manufacturing process.
• Uses statistical methods to test product samples to evaluate quality of full product batch prior to delivery to clients or customers.
• Compares results of inspections and tests to company's quality standards; reports results to Manager for final analysis and action steps.
• Maintains quality records as needed.
• Non-Conformance Management: Identify defects or non-conformance issues during inspections and testing, initiating corrective actions and documenting findings.
• Identifies potential safety issues, communicates needed changes to Environment Health and Safety (EHS) and safety management team.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of relevant software, quality assurance methods, tools and quality manufacturing processes.
• Math skills.
• Communication skills.
• Knowledge of the organization's product.
• Attention to detail.
• Analysis, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good analytical and technical problem-solving skills.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Understanding of safety and company safety policies.
• Understanding of raw materials, production processes, quality control techniques.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Excel, Word & Email) or related software.
• Use of measurement equipment calipers, micrometer, rules, gauges, and equipment related to the membrane inspection industry such Flat Cell Tester, and Visual Inspection Machine.

Abilities

• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Ability to Communicate information and ideas clearly. This includes the ability to speak, read and write clearly and accurately in English.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Self-starter with a drive to achieve personal mastery and successfully deliver on commitments.
• Ability to wear protective equipment such as safety glasses, hair net, and hearing protection.
• Ability to work extended hours as needed.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Chemistry) required.
• 2+ years in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of quality tools; applies them independently
• Tools: Proficient in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), CAD software, and ERP systems.
• Experience with continuous improvement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish).

Physical Requirements

• Dexterity and accuracy as needed to operate testing equipment or gauges.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking through the factory.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at workstation on computer.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds at times with assistance.
• Visual acuity to inspect products and machinery.

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as photocopier and scanner.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching.

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc.
• The role is exposed to a variety of conditions that may be found while walking the production floor.
• Minimum travel will be required for this position.
• 50% of the time spent on the production floor and 50% in an office environment.
• Work extended hours as needed.

Solecta, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm