Summary
The Quality Engineer is responsible for leading the Disassemble, Inspect, and Advising (DIA) process for heavy blast furnace equipment within the Valparaiso workshop. This role evaluates worn components, identifies failure mechanisms, develops technical refurbishment recommendations, and ensures all rebuilt equipment complies with engineering specifications, customer requirements, and company quality standards.
The position combines hands-on engineering, quality assurance, technical reporting, cost estimation, and supplier collaboration to support the successful refurbishment of critical blast furnace equipment. Occasional travel to supplier facilities is required.
What we do:
SMS group is the leading partner in the world of metals. SMS group Inc. in Valparaiso, IN is a part of a global company that employs more than 12,000 at over 100 locations, throughout 31 countries. We use our over 150 years of experience and unique expertise in metallurgy, industrial processes and digitalization to create new perspectives for our industry through continuous innovation. We are the leading market player in the design and construction of blast furnace and coke oven plants and an original equipment supplier, offering comprehensive maintenance and spare part services for iron making, metals production, continuous casting and rolling (flat and long products), tubes, welded pipes, forging, non-ferrous technology, and heat treatment plants - all from a single source.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the Disassemble, Inspect, and Advise (DIA) process, including equipment teardown, inspection, dimensional verification, and failure analysis.
- Evaluate component condition and determine appropriate repair, refurbishment, or replacement methods based on engineering principles and customer specifications.
- Prepare detailed inspection reports, technical assessments, and refurbishment recommendations.
- Develop technical scopes of work and support Project Managers by preparing accurate repair cost estimates.
- Interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, bills of material (BOMs), and customer documentation.
- Verify all repairs and refurbishment activities comply with engineering drawings, quality plans, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.
- Perform root cause investigations and failure analysis to identify recurring equipment issues and recommend corrective actions.
- Coordinate with production, engineering, purchasing, and suppliers to resolve technical and quality-related issues.
- Conduct supplier visits, as required, to inspect work in progress, perform quality audits, and support technical problem resolution.
- Prepare Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), corrective action reports, and final quality documentation.
- Perform and document final inspections of refurbished equipment to ensure compliance with engineering drawings, customer specifications, and company quality standards prior to shipment.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, reliability, and workshop efficiency.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
Technical Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of heavy mechanical assemblies, welding, machining, and industrial repair practices. Strong understanding of blast furnace equipment is preferred.
- Experience conducting dimensional inspections, failure analysis, and root cause investigations.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
Inspection Skills:
- Proficient in the use of precision measuring equipment including Faro Arm/CMM, micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators, height gauges, and other inspection tools.
Leadership & Communication:
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical investigations and coordinate workflow across multiple departments.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively communicate technical findings to customers, suppliers.
Software:
- Proficient with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Software, and ERP systems.
- Experience with quality management software and project management tools is preferred.
Travel:
- Willingness to travel occasionally to customer and supplier facilities within North America.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Technician (CQT), or equivalent Quality certification.
- Experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
- Knowledge of welding inspection, NDT methods, and heavy industrial fabrication.
- Experience working with blast furnace equipment, coke plants, steel mills, or similar heavy process industries.
Physical Demands
- Frequently required to stand
- Frequently required to walk.
- Frequently required to sit.
- Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
- Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
- Occasionally required to climb or balance.
- Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Occasionally required to lift light weight (less than 25 pounds)
Work Environment
- Industrial environment
- Exposure to moving mechanical parts
- Exposure to fumes or airborne particles
- The noise level in the work environment usually is moderate
This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, day shift.
What we offer:
Medical / dental / vision coverage, company paid life insurance, paid vacation, 10 paid holidays per year, 401K with company match, a tuition reimbursement program and more!
Who we are:
At SMS group, our people are our greatest asset. We offer an entrepreneurial environment that promotes a culture of innovation, growth and inclusion. We offer company events, activities, and opportunities to participate in charitable initiatives that benefit the communities where we are located.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- Strong understanding of heavy mechanical assemblies, welding, machining, and industrial repair practices
- Experience conducting dimensional inspections, failure analysis, and root cause investigations
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, bills of material (BOMs), and customer documentation
- Proficient in use of precision measuring equipment (Faro Arm/CMM, micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators, height gauges)
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical investigations and coordinate workflow across departments
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
- Proficient with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office software, and ERP systems
- Willingness to travel occasionally to customer and supplier facilities within North America
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Technician (CQT), or equivalent Quality certification
- Experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
- Knowledge of welding inspection, NDT methods, and heavy industrial fabrication
- Experience with quality management software and project management tools
- Experience working with blast furnace equipment, coke plants, steel mills, or similar heavy process industries
What We Do
SMS group Inc. is responsible for new equipment sales, upgrades and modernizations for North American metals producers, and is a world leader in outsourced maintenance services for the steel and non-ferrous metals industry. SMS group Inc., a member of the SMS group family, is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At SMS group Inc., we are an original equipment supplier offering comprehensive maintenance and spare part services for metals production, continuous casting and rolling (flat and long products), tubes, welded pipes, forging, non-ferrous technology, and heat treatment plants - all from a single source. Apart from traditional refurbishment services for all major OEM equipment, you can also take advantage of our comprehensive field services and modernization projects. Steel production is our largest market, where we supply world class new equipment and actively support operations and maintenance devising solutions throughout the process from melting and casting to rolling and finishing. In addition to new equipment supply, our Forging division has experienced maintenance specialists who focus on closed and open-die forging, powder metal presses, extrusion presses, and ring rolling. New equipment supply, maintenance services, and spare parts inside the aluminum industry crosses a wide variety of products including flat rolling mill equipment, plate stretchers and extrusion presses. For tubes and pipes, our unique broad know-how covers the complete line of processes from ERW to spiral welded pipe as well as seamless producing operations utilizing equipment from cold drawing and pilger mills to piercing mills. It is our commitment to be the Leading Partner for our customers guiding and assisting our customers to make equipment and process decisions that allow them to remain competitive in an ever evolving global market, and serve as a single source for new equipment, maintenance and spare parts that our customers can trust and value.
