Job Description

Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer is responsible for process ownership, integration, and improvement of the QMS. Demonstrate subject matter expertise to complete process improvements, designing effective operating instructions and implementing the best practices in a uniform manner across the manufacturing enterprise.

Focused on driving all safety, quality, productivity, schedule attainment, and yield maximization goals. Collaborate and partner with Program Engineering, MFG Engineering, Maintenance, and Plant Management Teams to continuously improve the quality system through a combination of both engineering and operational excellence principles.

Lead multiple root cause and prevention initiatives including performing analysis of existing process parameters to improve workplace safety, first time product acceptance, product defect detection, decreased attention and throughput capabilities.

Incorporates design for safety and human factors into all process integrations and process improvements. Will work in teams, take direction, and produce sustainable results.

Will perform all quality engineering disciplines including FMEA, control plans, process improvement, process design and integration, tooling/gauging/workstation design, training, and incorporate lean principles to maximized results.

Key Qualifications

Extensive experience in quality engineering developing and improving manufacturing systems utilizing both engineering and lean principles.

Ability to focus and generate the maximum results is mission critical. Must understand how to use performance metrics to focus work efforts. Work results are expected to increase company performance metrics, decrease total cost, improve safety culture, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

A high degree of urgency to identify concerns and implement solutions is expected. Extensive background working on the shop floor with operators demonstrating urgency to solve key manufacturing problems that lead to high costs. Front-line collaboration with team members is essential to the position, and the ability to gain buy-in and trust is paramount to the role.

Core Quality Responsibilities 

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

IATF 16949 Leader for the organization, including internal/external audit and company coach to all departments for proper process and documentation development.

Facilitate cross-functional Preventative & Corrective action plans based on internal and external quality results. (Yield, Warranty and or customer PPM) failure analysis on customer returns to ensure quick turnaround time and responsiveness.

Mentor cross-functional teams (Process/Product Improvement teams) teams for effective “root cause” analysis, corrective and preventative action. This position will include the training of other groups on a routine basis.

Coordination of customer visits.

QA portion of APQP (PPAP) on product launches.

Resolving critical issues/situations ensuring that they are handled correctly and within current policy/procedure guidelines.

Quality representative in Lean activities.

Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Engineering and Process Ownership Practices

* Collaborates daily with Program Engineers to develop focused action plans and projects aimed at process improvement. Will also collaborate with Customer Engineering Team to develop action plans focused on total quality improvement.

* Translates and implements customer product specifications into financially sound manufacturing methods and processes. Responsible for process improvements and complete process re-designs when applicable. Demonstrate skill and efficiency in the areas of tooling, machine, and flow improvements all focused at decreasing total costs and driving throughout speed.

* Utilizes the operational excellence operating system as a fundamental tool to streamline production systems; working towards one-piece-flow, reducing work-in-process inventory, and sustaining process improvements with total productive maintenance.

• Performs as a mentor and trainer to subordinate production and engineering staff. Provides regular status reports and updates to the Manufacturing and Quality Engineering Manager. Responsible for adherence to the policies, procedures, work rules and instructions of the IATF and internal Quality Management System as related to operations.
• Responsible for adherence to the policies, procedures, work rules and instructions of IATF 16949 systems as related to operations. Additionally, responsible for adherence to the policies, procedures, work rules and instructions ISO 14001 Environmental Management.

Leadership Behaviors

• Ability to work professionally with internal and external customers to integrate new business, reduce costs, and represent organization at multiple customer engagements.
• High sense of urgency and self-direction with the ability to organize and execute complex engineering and process improvement tasks in a team environment.
• Hands-on approach to problem solving and working with teams; practical knowledge of the people, process, and desired outcomes on respective process.
• Superior communication, follow-up, and follow-through in all aspects of daily activities.

Accountability

The Quality Engineer is ultimately responsible and accountable for delivering process improvement solutions and completing the read across for all customer programs. Executives and stakeholders will look to the Quality Engineer to deliver results through process improvements and effective business decisions.

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.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of engineering employees and the engineering functions of the value stream or business segment. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizational chart, company policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, technology, or physical science discipline preferred, and 5-7 years of proven manufacturing engineering experience driving process integration and process improvement.
• Must have proven experience leading and improving a manufacturing quality process working both independently and in teams. Must have practical knowledge of engineering mechanics, physics, hydraulics, electronics, pneumatics, machine design/operation, and computer software.
• A thorough understanding of IATF and Customer Requirements for PPAP/APQP.
• High level of analytical ability required, where problems are unusual and difficult.
• 5+ years of Lean manufacturing operational theory, principles and tools is required.
• 5+ years of experience prioritizing and assigning tasks, and accurately estimate the time and costs required for project completion.
• Experience in creating, developing, adapting, and communicating tool design concepts based on input from internal and external customers.

Language Skills

• The ability to read and interpret manufacturing documents/drawings/prints/details such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, machine drawings, wiring/electrical schematics, and repair manuals is required.
• Must write detailed reports with supporting documentation and data.
• Superior communication and escalation skills and habits are critical to the manufacturing engineering role, including customers, team member, and leadership communication.

Computer Skills

• Must be proficient in the operation of computers, word processing, spreadsheet and database software and design software applications.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to develop written communication, spreadsheets, charts and graphs.

Mathematical Skills

• Superior mathematical problem solving is paramount to the position. The ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals is a requirement.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and possess the skills to develop and interpret graphs.
• Must utilize, comprehend and understand statistical methods and the interpretation of statistical results.

Reasoning

• The position requires the ability to solve practical problems with limited known variables, in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form is a requirement.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 

The position requires the ability to solve complex problems with limited known variables, in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form is a requirement.

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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those 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 job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ATC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO)