Quality and Materials Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

The Quality Engineer plays a vital role in enhancing business processes and optimizing product efficiency.

This position ensures adherence to quality standards and implements corrective actions to drive product reliability and excellence. The ideal candidate will possess strong troubleshooting abilities, capable of identifying shortcomings and implementing effective solutions. This role also requires daily collaboration across departments and direct involvement with customers to address and resolve quality-related issues.

Department Quality Support
Support the Quality & Engineering Manager in the daily execution of Engineering, Quality Laboratory, and Manufacturing Engineering activities.
Partner with the Director of HR, Supply Chain Manager & Warehouse Manager to ensure quality expectations are implemented throughout warehouse production and sub-assembly operations.
Assist with developing, implementing, and maintaining quality procedures, work instructions, and operating standards.
Support incoming, in-process, and outgoing quality assurance activities to ensure compliance with customer and internal requirements.
Provide quality training and hands-on coaching to production personnel regarding quality
standards, inspection methods, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Conduct routine quality and safety audits within warehouse and production operations and communicate findings and corrective action recommendations to management.

Quality Systems Support
Support the Quality Management System (QMS) through document control, record maintenance,
audit preparation, compliance monitoring, and department support.
Perform internal audits, document findings, verify corrective actions, and assist departments in
maintaining compliance with company procedures and applicable quality standards.
Assist with maintaining IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, EMS, EcoVadis, and other
applicable certification requirements by coordinating documentation, audit preparation, corrective actions, and compliance activities.
Assist with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and other quality documentation and customer-specific requirements.
Develop and maintain quality documentation, procedures, inspection records, and engineering quality files.

Customer Quality Support
Support the Quality & Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering & Quality in
responding to customer quality concerns and corrective action activities.
Investigate customer complaints by conducting root cause analysis (RCA), coordinating
corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and verify effectiveness of implemented solutions.
Prepare customer quality documentation including 8D reports, CARs, corrective action responses,
and supporting technical documentation.
Travel to customer facilities as required to support investigations, product reviews, audits, launches, quality meetings, and relationship development.
Serve as the assigned quality engineering contact for customer issues delegated by the Manager or Director.

Continuous Improvement
Support continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and other problem-solving methodologies.
Conduct root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Collect, analyze, and report quality performance data to support departmental KPI monitoring and improvement initiatives.
Recommend process improvements based on quality trends, inspection results, customer feedback, and manufacturing performance.

Launch & Engineering Support
Support Engineering and Quality activities for new product launches from prototype through production.
Participate in cross-functional launch meetings, validation activities, capability studies, production readiness reviews, and customer launch requirements.
Assist with engineering changes, validation activities, and launch documentation.
Verify compliance with customer specifications, drawings, standards, and quality requirements prior to production release.

Laboratory & Materials Engineering
Coordinate metallurgical testing, dimensional inspections, hardness testing, microstructure analysis, and material evaluations for cylinder liners and other products.
Oversee laboratory testing activities as assigned while ensuring compliance with quality
procedures and industry standards.
Interpret laboratory test results and collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to resolve material-related concerns.
Maintain laboratory documentation, calibration records, traceability records, and testing reports.
Coordinate third-party laboratory testing when required.
Monitor laboratory safety practices and equipment maintenance.
Support compliance with applicable ASTM, SAE, customer-specific, and automotive material standards.

Cross-Functional Support
Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Warehouse Operations, Production, and Human Resources to support quality objectives.
Participate in customer audits, supplier audits, internal audits, and corrective action activities.
Support engineering and manufacturing teams with technical problem solving and process improvements.
Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the Quality & Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering & Quality.

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in engineering is required (Mechanical or Manufacturing).
Experience in automotive manufacturing, particularly in cylinder liner operations or metal automotive parts, is strongly preferred.
Prior experience working with international clients is highly desirable.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Highly detail-oriented, organized, with excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Proven ability to manage and maintain a documented system of quality policies and procedures.

Skills/Qualifications/Competencies:
Excellent Verbal and Written Communication Skills, Positive Problem-Solving Attitude, Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Internet Skills, Strong Organization and Planning Abilities, Keen Attention to Detail, Teamwork, Reliability, Accuracy, Problem Solving Aptitude, Flexibility, Professionalism, and Effective Reporting Skills.

Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision insurance; 401(k); Short Term / Long Term Disability Insurance; Life insurance; Tuition reimbursement; PTO; eligibility and terms are subject to company policy.