Job Description

Position Title:    Quality Engineer I                                  Dept: Product Assurance & Quality Assurance 

Classification:    Exempt, Indirect                                    Approved By: Human Resources 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports To:      Product Assurance & Quality Assurance Manager / Director 

Positions Supervised:    None 

POSITION PURPOSE

To understand customer requirements and ensure the organization is meeting or exceeding customer expectations.  The quality engineer will be responsible for executing and maintaining the Quality Management System which meets the ISO standard. The quality engineer will also support or lead quality improvement initiatives.   

The quality engineer monitors how the system is performing.  This will include periodic process audits and the publication of statistics regarding company performance against quality standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Utilize quality expertise to interface between the organization and customers to proactively assure customer needs and expectations are satisfied. 
• Provide support to others and educate teams toward enhanced quality audit methods.   
• Drive implementation of quality management system and maintain quality documents (i.e. manuals, procedures).  
• Prepare documentation for product / process improvements, which includes process reviews, statistical analyses, QA reports and quality and/or manufacturing work instruction procedures. 
• Provide expertise in Quality Assurance to manufacturing/process engineering to support their continuous improvement activities like process control charts on specified parameters or process steps as tools to show areas for improvement. 
• Interface with internal design and manufacturing personnel as well as program managers, supplier quality and supply chain functions.   Assist in technical quality requirements, as needed.
• Participate in the internal Quality System Audit program for the organization.  Facilitate the investigation and elimination of quality problems and follow up on corrective actions. 
• Develop and analyze statistical data affecting product quality. Provide support in developing process capability, process control plans, analysis of sub-standard conditions.
• Participate in all aspects of product development and launch activities throughout the organization. Efforts should target meeting customer expectations. 
• Support team toward maintaining  ISO certification. 
• Ensure timely completion of the MRB process and disposition of product.   
• Issue corrective actions as needed.   

JOB SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Essential education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering; Quality, Industrial or related field 
• Minimum of 1 - 2 years quality focused experience 
• Minimum of 2 years applicable experience in a manufacturing environment      

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possesses and applies a basic knowledge of quality principles, practices and procedures. 
• Working knowledge of quality tools (i.e. SPC, Pareto, sampling, CAR, database collection & reporting tools).  
• Basic ability to assess and troubleshoot NCM or process issues.  
• Experience in the use of statistics in a development and manufacturing environment
• Academic emphasis or industry experience in statistical analysis, problem solving and reliability engineering is desired
• Assist with implementing quality assurance strategies for manufacturing, including planning, evaluating and analyzing process monitor data & reporting QA metric results.
• Technical background in product/process quality improvement initiatives, root cause analyses, failure investigation and corrective actions of quality issues and process control charts  
• Ability to interact with cross-functional teams & use effective communication interpersonal skills 
• General knowledge of the details within a Product Lifecycle Process
• Demonstrated ability to successfully multi-task in fast paced manufacturing environment. 
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Six Sigma Green Belt is a major plus
• Experience with the ISO Standard is a major plus 
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as good organizational skills to present information in an understandable format to multiple organizational levels. 
• Personal computer skills using Windows OS and MS Office, database applications is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND HEALTH AND SAFETY

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 is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.  

Environmental Conditions: 

The environmental conditions 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 job, the employee is frequently exposed to noise and vibration. The noise level in the HQ work environment is usually quiet. 

Health and Safety Conditions: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to lasers.  

NOTE: These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work involved for this job.  It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this job. Individuals assigned to perform tasks defined in this job description that are controlled by the ISO program have the authority, consent and responsibility to carry out those tasks as defined in the program.