Lean Quality Engineer - Manufacturing

Position Summary

We are seeking a high-impact Lean Quality Engineer to join our clients machinery manufacturing team. This is not a traditional “compliance-only” role. You will be a key driver of profitability, tasked with merging rigorous quality standards with cost-saving initiatives. The ideal candidate is a process-oriented problem solver who understands that true quality is measured by the reduction of waste. You will lead cross-functional projects to identify inefficiencies, manage the PPAP process for complex machinery components, and act as a technical liaison to our customer base.

Key Responsibilities

• Cost Savings Leadership: Identify, lead, and execute Cost Savings Initiatives (CSI) across the manufacturing floor. Use data analytics to target high-waste areas and implement sustainable improvements.
• Lean Integration: Apply Lean tools (Kaizen, VSM, 5S, DMAIC) to quality processes to reduce lead times and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• PPAP & APQP Management: Lead the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for new and existing machinery components, ensuring all documentation (PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA) meets rigorous industry standards.
• Customer Liaison: Act as the primary technical point of contact for customer quality concerns. Lead root-cause analysis (8D, 5-Why) and present corrective action plans directly to clients.
• Supplier Development: Work with the supply chain team to ensure incoming component quality aligns with cost-reduction targets without compromising machine reliability.
• Continuous Improvement: Monitor Quality KPIs (DPU, Scrap Rate, First Pass Yield) and report directly to leadership on the financial impact of quality improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 4+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (Heavy Machinery or Automotive preferred).
• Lean Mastery: Proven track record of leading projects that resulted in measurable cost savings (Six Sigma Green or Black Belt preferred).
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of PPAP requirements, GD&T, and statistical process control (SPC).
• Communication: Exceptional “customer-facing” presence with the ability to translate complex technical issues into actionable business solutions.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 standards.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings for large-scale machinery.