Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n Company Overview BIRNS, Inc., established in 1954, is an AS9100 certified global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance underwater connectors, subsea cable assemblies subsea lighting, dive lights and nuclear facility lighting. With a commitment to quality and innovation, we serve critical applications in deep ocean, marine, military, and nuclear power sectors. Summary BIRNS is seeking a Quality Engineer to join our team at BIRNS, Inc. This role is pivotal in ensuring the highest standards of quality for our products. Located in the United States, you will contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional performance and reliability in our lighting and connector systems. We manufacture cable assemblies for subsea applications and are looking for a hands-on Quality Engineer to join our team. This is a critical role responsible for maintaining product quality, driving corrective actions, and improving our manufacturing processes. You will work directly on the production floor alongside our assembly technicians and report to Quality Manager. We are looking for someone who is strong on quality fundamentals and soldering workmanship. If you come from aerospace, defense, or military cable assembly, your background translates directly to what we do —subsea-specific processes including polyurethane overmolding. The Quality Engineer (QE) is accountable for the overall quality of products delivered, services to customers ensuring all quality controls are met. The QE is responsible for developing a complete QA program that not only safeguards the quality and performance of our products, but also fosters a culture in which all employees are actively engaged in guaranteeing it by building an unwavering commitment to meticulous production, taking our products to the next level of quality, performance, and safety. The QE engages continuous improvement activity and resources to identify and eliminate cost drivers, identify and eliminate work flow disruptions and establishes effective problem reporting and problem-solving methods so that goods are produced in a process-controlled and cost-effective manner, delivering zero-defect products on time. The QE will have customer and product quality responsibilities in addition to the general responsibilities outlined. The ideal candidate will have experience in implementing quality assurance practices, conducting audits, analyzing data and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following is a framework of the essential duties and responsibilities for this role. Basic duties are outlined here and are not limited to this outline. Duties and responsibilities may change according to business need and other duties may be assigned. What You Will DoLead root cause analysis and corrective action investigations for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and field failuresPlan and execute process validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) for new or modified manufacturing processes including soldering, overmolding, and connector terminationSupport product validation including First Article Inspection, design verification testing, and qualification testing to confirm products meet customer and specification requirementsDevelop, review, and maintain work instructions and inspection procedures for cable assembly operations including soldering, overmolding, and connector terminationMonitor and improve manufacturing processes with a focus on J-STD soldering workmanship and qualityConduct in-process and final inspections to ensure product meets drawing and specification requirementsSupport internal audits and maintain compliance with AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management system requirementsIdentify and implement process improvements to reduce defects, scrap, and reworkInterface with customers and suppliers on quality matters including First Article Inspections, deviation requests, and supplier corrective actionsMaintain quality records and generate reports on key quality metrics Other DutiesDemonstrates initiative to work efficiently and to streamline processes.Receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments.Has a full understanding of one's specialization and uses professional concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways.Strong written/verbal communication, analytical, time management and problem-solving skills.Ability to work well as both an individual contributor and as a member of a team.Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties.Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company.Provide training to production teams on quality standards, procedures and best practices.Assist in the development of quality-related documentation and work instructions. What We Are Looking For Required — These Are Non-Negotiable:3–7 years of quality engineering experience in a cable assembly, wire harness, or electromechanical manufacturing environmentHands-on working knowledge of J-STD-001 soldering standards and IPC workmanship criteria — you must be able to evaluate solder joint quality, identify defects, and train technicians to standard as requiredDemonstrated ability to lead structured root cause analysis (5 Why, 8D, Fishbone) and write corrective actions that stickExperience planning and executing process validation for manufacturing processes — you must understand what makes a process validated and be able to own the documentation from start to finishExperience supporting product validation activities — First Article Inspection, qualification testing, or design verification testing against a defined specificationExperience writing clear, usable work instructions and inspection proceduresWorking knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems — you do not need to be a lead auditor, but you must understand how a QMS works and be able to operate within one Strongly Preferred:IPC-J-STD-001 Certified Specialist or Certified InstructorBackground in aerospace, defense, or military cable and wire harness manufacturing — this experience is directly applicable and highly valuedExperience with connector potting, encapsulation, or overmolding of any kind — polyurethane, epoxy, or similar. We will train the specific process but prior exposure accelerates onboarding significantlyFamiliarity with continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, or electrical verification of cable assembliesExperience with pressure testing or environmental testing of sealed assemblies Nice to Have — Not Required:Knowledge of subsea, oil and gas, or underwater connector assembliesExperience with X-ray or CT inspection for connector or potting verificationFamiliarity with MIL-STD or Navy cable specifications What Success Looks Like in This RoleIn your first 90 days you will have learned our product line, walked every step of our assembly process, and identified at least one process improvement opportunity. Within six months you will own our corrective action process end to end, have completed at least one process validation, and be the go-to person on the floor for workmanship questions. We are a small team — your work will be visible and your impact will be real. Why Join UsWork on technically demanding products for deep-water subsea applicationsSmall team environment where your work directly impacts product quality and customer satisfactionOpportunity to build and own quality processesWe invest in training — including subsea-specific process training for the right candidateCompetitive salary and benefits QUALIFICATIONS 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, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Proven ability to improve manufacturing processes, product quality and a focus on manufacturability and profitability. The specific technical/administrative/managerial knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the job competently (e.g. process flow development, computer software, etc.) The use of binocular light compound microscopes, digital calipers, and digital micrometers, digital comparator, Height and tread gages. CMM Programming Knowledge is highly desirable. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCEAssociate or Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Engineering, Manufacturing Technology or a related technical field or equivalent hands-on experience in lieu of a degree. We value demonstrated ability over credentials. ISO 9001, NADCAP and or AS9100 Quality Management System experience in the electronics, electrical harnesses, mechanical assembly industries is required.Ability to read and interpret Assembly Drawings, Electrical Schematics and Mechanical Part drawings is required.Experience using Statistical Process Control (SPC)knowledge as well as the proficient use of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel programs is required. Experience with complex wire harness production is highly desirable, as is experience with molding of thermosetting glass-filled epoxy resin (GRE) and liquid two-part polyurethanes. Experience with J-STD-001, IPC-A-610 or WHMA-A-620 and GD&T standards is highly desirable. LANGUAGE SKILLS The Quality Engineer (QE) must have excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills, as well as strong listening skills. (Ability to speak a language other than English may be helpful but is not required.) The person in this role must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common manufacturing and technical procedures, Military or industry standards (ASTM, AMS, Mil Specs, etc.), schematics, diagrams, and drawings; write reports, business correspondence, assembly instructions and procedure manuals; respond to occasional inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or other members of the manufacturing community; and to speak effectively before groups of company employees or customers. SOCIAL SKILLS Ability to continually interact with others as a contributing member of a close-knit team. Ability to work closely together with others, possibly of different backgrounds and interests, without friction. Works well with people. Able to maintain strict confidentiality. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to apply concepts of algebra and geometry, apply mathematical operations to theoretical and practical manufacturing and industrial situations. Aptitude to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s, performing these operations using units of time, pressure, temperature, weigh measurement, volume and distance. REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. COMPUTER SKILLS Ability to use a personal computer, email and the Internet, and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office program such as word, Excel and Power Point. Statistical Analysis (Minitab), Statistical Process Controls program concepts and applications are required. Significant computer proficiency in Windows environments and experience with integrated ERP software (especially M1, Epicor, or Made2Manage, SAP, etc.) Strong Statistical Process Control (SPC) knowledge as well as the proficient use of Microsoft Word and Excel programs is required. The employee may use ERP software, CAD and/or CAM software industrial control software; and project management software. GENERAL Self-starter, able to work independently, able to work under pressure, results oriented, has the drive to completion schedule, and is profit-minded and dedicated. Displays exemplary ethics conduct, performs work cognizant of safe work practices. Has outstanding interpersonal, organization, and time management skills. 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, for tooling and small electrical contacts, reach with hands and arms to place/replace products. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stoop, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to talk or hear the "open" timers and other equipment. The employee must regularly lift and/or move tooling and components weighing up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision for assembly, color vision for quality checks, and depth perception. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this this job the employee is regularly exposed to slow-moving mechanical parts. Employee is occasionally exposed to airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to an environment typical of a small-to-medium sized office. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate; noise producers include standard office equipment (including, but not limited to, ringing telephones and computer printers). The employee is occasionally exposed to other hazards, when the employee needs to go onto our factory floor. There, hazards are typical of a light manufacturing environment. The noise level is usually moderate. TRAVEL Estimated 0% travel required. This is to serve as an estimate and may change according to business need. If you are passionate about ensuring product excellence and want to be part of an innovative team at BIRNS, Inc., we invite you to apply today! Job Type: Full-time Benefits: 401(k)401(k) matchingDental insuranceEmployee assistance programEmployee discountFlexible spending accountHealth insuranceLife insurancePaid time offParental leaveReferral programRetirement planTuition reimbursementVision insurance Schedule:8 hour shiftDay shift Application Question(s):Do you