Quality Engineer - Pursuit

Position Summary

The Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting all quality functions and supervising Process Auditors. This role partners closely with production, engineering, and supply chain teams to drive continuous improvement, resolve quality issues, and implement robust quality systems that support world-class manufacturing standards. This role will be responsible for the Cutting, Crimping, Splicing, and final assembly of wiring harnesses for marine applications.  The role is also responsible for machining components, Tube Cutting/Bending, Welding and Painting of Tower Assemblies for marine applications. This role leads efforts to reduce Cost of Poor Quality – including rework, quality issues, and defects in the process. This person is responsible for communicating with all relevant stakeholders on activities including critical quality issues, project status, root cause analysis, and corrective actions. The ideal candidate is direct, data-driven, and enthusiastic about delivering positive/exceptional customer experience through flawless product quality.

Key Responsibilities

Product & Process Quality

• Lead plant-level quality activities to ensure products meet specifications and customer expectations.  Manage all Process Auditors.
• Analyze and facilitate efforts to reduce internal Scrap and Rework.
• Analyze and facilitate efforts to reduce process defects and non-conformances at all stages of the process.
• Monitor in-process and final product quality metrics (FPY, DPU, COPQ, scrap, rework, warranty trends)
• Develop and maintain control plans, inspection standards, and quality documentation.
• Perform layered process audits and product audits to verify compliance.
• Provide primary support in the creation/completion of the Monthly Quality Updates
• Lead improvement projects based on internal quality metrics/data, warranty data, and customer feedback to reduce and eliminate repeat issues, while improving overall quality of product(s)
• Develop criteria for acceptance documents, FMEA, control plans, Product/Process Check Sheets, Work Instructions, as needed to communicate requirements to production and inspection teams.

 Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead root cause investigations using structured methodologies (8D, A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone)
• Implement and validate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA methodology)
• Support containment actions to protect customers and production flow.
• Analyze internal defects and field/warranty data to identify systemic issues.

 Continuous Improvement

• Support/Drive Lean or structured methodologies (Six Sigma) to improve product quality and reduce variation.
• Identify and eliminate waste through process optimization and mistake-proofing (poka-yoke)
• Support Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement projects.

 Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Supplier Quality, Supply Chain, and Production teams to resolve quality issues.
• Participate in new product introduction (NPI) to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet quality standards.
• Provide feedback on design improvements based on plant and field data.

 Supplier Quality Support

• Collaborate with Supplier Quality and Procurement to address incoming material issues.
• Support and manage selected suppliers. Develop with the suppliers corrective actions and qualification activities as needed.
• Develop Scorecards for certain Commodities, when required.

 Customer & Warranty Focus

• Review warranty claims and customer feedback to identify trends.
• Support field issue resolution and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure lessons learned are communicated and incorporated into processes.
• Interface with Customers related to quality issues and present data and corrective actions.

 Compliance & Standards

• Maintain compliance with company quality systems and applicable standards.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Ensure adherence to safety and environmental regulations.
• Provide support or lead efforts to all assigned quality team members to ensure training, development, and support as needed in the completion of their duties.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities

• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Learn how to measure parts as needed using CMM/Scanner (Keyence WM 6000) or other measuring systems. 
• Ensure product/process tests and procedures are properly understood, conducted, and evaluated and that product/process modifications are investigated if necessary.
• Develop tools/fixtures to aid in the process and improve efficiency.
• May be customer facing – requiring issue investigation, CAR completion, internal solution validation, proper communication, and documentation control.
• Maintain spending in support of departmental budget goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 2-5 years of experience in a quality or manufacturing engineering role
• working knowledge of root cause analysis tools, inspection methods, and quality documentation (control plans, CFAs, FMEAs)

Preferred

• Experience in marine, automotive, RV, or other high-mix/custom manufacturing
• Six Sigma Green Belt or working knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma tools
• familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems

Key Competencies

• Accountability, dependability, adaptability, flexibility
• Attention to detail
• Analytical, data-driven problem solving
• Communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Willingness to learn
• Ethics, integrity, honesty

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Motivation: Measures self against standard of excellence.

Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time.

Dependability: Takes responsibility for own actions.

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.

Continuous/C = 67-100%, Frequent/F = 33-66%, Occasional/O = 33%, None/N

Sits 2 hours

Stands 6 hours

Walks 2 hours

Drives  0 hours

Employee Lifts and/or Carries: type amount of weight in each area.

Maximum: 50 (lbs.)   Frequently: 20 (lbs.)   Occasionally: 35 (lbs.)

Employee uses Hands for repetitive activities:

Simple Grasping: Right, Left,

Pushing/Pulling: Right, Left,

Fine Manipulation: Right, Left,

Employee uses Feet for repetitive activities:

Right: Left:

Employee is required to perform these activities:

Bending At Waist:

Squatting:

Climbing Ladders, Stairs:

Kneeling On Ground:

Reaching Above Shoulder:

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job (i.e., heat/cold, dust/dampness, height; chemical; noise) PPE requirements are included. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Hands-on role with significant presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Exposure to various settings - fiberglass, finishing, and assembly operations.
• Fast-paced, focused production environment.
• Typical 10-hour workdays based upon facility.
• Typical 4- or 5-day work week schedule based upon facility and schedule loading.
• Overtime is occasional to frequent based on a number of factors.
• Required to work indoors and outdoors, year-round and in all weather conditions.
• May be required to work during production shutdowns or other “off schedule” periods to conduct special activities.
• Safety glasses required while in production areas
• Other PPE may be required based on specific projects.

Success Metrics

• FPY/DPU improvement
• scrap & rework reduction
• warranty cost per unit reduction
• on-time closure of corrective actions

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