Quality Engineer

Description

Job purpose

Support the direction of the quality control program designed to ensure continuous production of products consistent with established standards by performing the following duties:

Duties and responsibilities

Provide PPAP documentation based on customer criteria

• Collaborate with internal teams and customers to gather required data for the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
• Ensure that all required elements (e.g., design records, control plans, process flows, test results, and production samples) are included and comply with customer specifications.
• Review all PPAP documentation for accuracy and completeness before submitting it to the customer for approval.
• Communicate with customers regarding the status of PPAP submissions and any revisions needed, maintaining transparency throughout the process.
• Stay informed about any changes to customer requirements or industry standards, adapting PPAP submissions as needed.

Interact with the customer on quality related issues and concerns

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on all quality-related matters, including complaints, inquiries, and feedback.
• Respond to customer concerns promptly, providing detailed explanations, resolutions, and timelines.
• Analyze customer feedback, investigate quality issues, and communicate findings to both internal teams and the customer to ensure timely resolution.
• Proactively reach out to customers for follow-up to ensure satisfaction and gather additional feedback to drive future improvements.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with customers to foster trust and improve long-term business partnerships.

Process RMA returns and track PPM

• Manage the Return Material Authorization (RMA) process by coordinating with customers to ensure smooth returns and exchanges.
• Inspect returned items to assess the root cause of defects or failures, documenting the findings and initiating corrective actions as needed.
• Track Parts Per Million (PPM) to monitor product quality, identifying trends and areas for improvement based on return rates.
• Report on RMA trends and PPM performance, providing insights into product quality and process effectiveness.
• Work with relevant departments to implement corrective actions to reduce return rates and improve overall product quality.

Support Problem Solving on customer complaints and safety concerns

• Lead or participate in problem-solving activities to address customer complaints or safety-related issues, using tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or the 5 Whys methodology.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify the underlying causes of complaints or safety hazards.
• Develop and implement corrective actions to resolve issues, preventing recurrence.
• Provide timely updates to customers on the status of complaint resolution and safety actions taken.
• Ensure that corrective actions align with safety standards and regulatory requirements to prevent future occurrences.

Conduct Process Audits, Quality Audits and Internal Audits

• Plan, organize, and conduct audits to ensure compliance with quality standards and internal procedures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current processes, identifying areas where improvements or adjustments are needed.
• Document audit findings and work with relevant teams to implement corrective actions based on the audit results.
• Track audit progress and ensure that action items are completed within the required timeframe.

Monitor Control Plan and Process Flow documentation

• Regularly review and update the Control Plan and Process Flow documentation to ensure it accurately reflects the current production processes and meets customer and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that the Control Plan includes detailed process controls, monitoring procedures, and quality checkpoints.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Control Plan and Process Flow in maintaining product quality and process efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to implement any necessary updates or changes to these documents.
• Conduct training sessions to ensure all relevant personnel are familiar with the latest Control Plan and Process Flow documentation.

Proficient in inspection equipment at DeWys and train others as necessary

• Operate all inspection equipment at DeWys, including calipers, micrometers, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), and vision systems.
• Ensure that all inspection equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained to meet quality standards.
• Train new and existing employees on proper usage, maintenance, and troubleshooting of inspection equipment.
• Provide ongoing support to the quality team by assisting with complex inspections and resolving equipment-related issues.
• Document inspection results and ensure that all measurements are accurately recorded and reported.

Backup quality manager in their absence

• Assume full responsibility for the quality management function in the absence of the quality manager, ensuring that quality standards are met across all operations.
• Manage day-to-day quality-related activities, including overseeing inspections, audits, and compliance with customer specifications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for any quality issues or concerns that arise during the manager's absence.
• Lead or participate in quality meetings, ensuring that key quality metrics are reviewed and improvement actions are discussed.
• Maintain consistent communication with internal teams and customers to ensure that quality processes continue without disruption.

Support Quality Technicians in final inspections as needed

• Assist Quality Technicians in performing final product inspections to ensure all products meet quality specifications before being shipped.
• Provide guidance and support to technicians when handling complex inspection issues or resolving non-conformances.
• Ensure that final inspection documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Help identify patterns in inspection results and work with technicians to implement improvements or corrective actions.
• Offer training and mentorship to quality technicians to improve their inspection skills and understanding of quality standards.

Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High school education; or Associate's degree from a college or university.
• Alternatively, 8-10 years of related experience in manufacturing or quality control.
• Experience in quality systems development, implementation, and auditing procedures is required.

Technical Skills

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret blueprints or technical procedures.
• Must possess a good working knowledge of computers, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills required
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, leadership, and team members.

Working conditions

• Exposed to moving mechanical parts while working on the shop floor.
• Works in both an office environment with a moderate noise level.
• Works in a shop environment with a high noise level.

Physical requirements

• Regularly communicates with team members, shop floor team members, and occasionally with customers.
• Requires frequent standing and walking on the shop floor.
• Required to work on a computer terminal daily.
• Occasionally may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Direct reports

This job has no direct reports.