Job Description

Position

Quality Engineer III (Senior)

Location:

Various

Reports To:

Quality Manager/Quality Supervisor

Dept / Function:

Quality

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Position Overview:

The Quality Engineer III is a senior-level position, requiring extensive experience and expertise in quality engineering. This role demands leadership in strategic planning, cross-functional initiatives, and mentorship:

1. Customer and Supplier Quality Management: Lead managing complex quality issues with customers and suppliers. The role serves as the customer and supplier liaison for quality related issues.
2. Collaboration and Communication: Working closely with other disciplines (i.e. manufacturing, operations, supply chain, etc.) to address quality-related issues.
3. Quality Assurance and Improvement: Leading innovative initiatives that increase customer satisfaction, contribute to business objectives, and build stronger customer relationships.
4. Mentorship and Leadership: Mentor junior engineers; lead cross-functional teams.
5. Professional Skills and Attributes: The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical, communication, and leadership skills. The role suits a collaborative, self-directed individual who is passionate about quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement, thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced, collaborative work environment. Top of Form

Main Responsibilities:

• Customer and Supplier Interaction: Address customer and supplier quality issues and concerns.
• Problem Solving: Investigate root causes of quality issues and collaborate with others in developing solutions.
• Continuous Improvement: Create and Implement process improvements.
• Process Compliance: Comply to Optimas established processes.
• Managing and Reporting KPIs: Review and take action to meet assigned Key Performance Indicators (KPI)s.
• Process Monitoring and Control: Monitor manufacturing and operational processes to ensure adherence to quality standards and Optimas standard operating procedures.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Collect quality-related data, perform trend analysis, identify, and lead opportunities for improvement.
• Documentation: Maintain required documentation for quality systems and procedures.
• Learning and Development: Continuously learn and apply quality engineering concepts and techniques.

Key Activities

• Participating in customer Business Meetings (QBRs) without supervision.
• Preparing presentations for customer and internal meetings.
• Responding to customer inquiries and complaints.
• Creating and Managing CAR records (8D responses).
• Managing supplier responses to corrective actions.
• Reporting assigned customer and internal KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
• Conducting Root Cause Analysis
• Dispositioning Quality Inventory.
• Updating quality records.
• Managing Sort and Rework Requests
• Supporting Disruption and Deviation Tracking
• Managing quarantine material (MRB).
• Recovering expenses due to supplier issues.
• Monitoring PPAPs for assigned customers.
• Attending Assigned Customer Meetings.
• Completing assigned quality records (master data, vendor restrictions).
• And other activities assigned by manager.

Key Competencies:

1) Customer Orientation.

2) Analytical Skills (analyze data, identify trends)

3) Problem Solving

4) Attention to Detail

5) Effective Communication

6) Teamwork and Collaboration

7) Project Management.

8) Drive for Results.

9) Responsiveness/Sense of Urgency.

10) High Sense of Accountability.

11) Timely and Quality Decision Making.

12) Mentorship Skills.

13) Presentation Skills.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in science/engineering or equivalent, Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Skilled in blueprint reading; GD&T knowledge advantageous.
• 3+ years in a quality role or equivalent performance; CQE certification a plus.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing quality.
• Advanced in Continuous Improvement processes: 5 Whys and Root Cause Analysis.
• Advanced Core Quality Tools: APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, PPAP.
• Internal or process auditing experience: IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.
• Computer Proficiency: PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Minitab, ERP, Tableau.
• Automotive industry experience preferred.
• Fastener product knowledge is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Demands / Travel:

• Domestic travel (car/air) Infrequent. Up to 25%.
• Infrequent international travel to support business demands. <5%.