Description

Job Summary: The Quality Engineer (QE) assists in the implementation, maintenance and verification of all quality system requirements including gauging, process control plans, problem solving, corrective actions, audits, supplier issues, customer concerns, and customer specific requirements.

The QE works closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to:

• Identify critical product quality characteristics and assure these characteristics are called out on engineering prints.

• Assure corresponding gauging, fixturing, process inspection and verification records, and training / work instructions as identified as critical characteristics on engineering prints.

• Coordinate proactive quality system audits.

• Solve problems related to quality issues.

The QE responds to questions on how to achieve quality goals and implement changes to reduce the instance of process errors. The QE designs documents that clearly outline these specifications and communicate them to the production team. The QE observes the production process and identifies how to improve certain steps to create more consistent quality and improve efficiency.

The QE interacts with the Customer Service Team for customer feedback with the aim of meeting or exceeding quality objectives and improving customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities: All or a portion of the following responsibilities are required to perform this job. In addition to the following, other tasks deemed necessary may be required.

General QMS

• Develop inspection methods to analyze product quality and conformity where clarification and specific direction is required as identified including: Process, final, and receiving using all defined types of inspection.
• Review, develop, evolve in process inspection criteria in feeder / work cells.
• Further develop receive inspection processes and document receive inspection activities to provide support for the Receive Inspection Team.
• Further develop the tracking of incoming nonconforming material to provide supportive interactions with suppliers that supply components and subassemblies. Lead complaint investigations on returned product. Manage corrective action and quality improvement activities with suppliers.

Audit / CAR

• Monitor production floor processes for conformance to product specification which includes fit, form, function, reliability, durability and reappearance criteria.
• Develop, coordinate, assist, and perform process / product audits both internally and at supplier locations when necessary. Assure conformity to supplier identified critical characteristics on engineering prints.
• Monitor and evaluate quality system metrics as needed and evaluate for improvements or additions.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities (e.g. 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa / Fish Bone, etc.) to resolve audit findings, customer complaints, or customer returns in a timely manner that prevents reoccurrence.
• Own the process for recurring QMS systems, process audits, customer complaint process, CAR management, or others.

Documentation / Reports

• Development of inspection, process and work instructions for current and new / developing product
• Prepare recommendations and corrective actions by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data from Non Conformance, Work Cell Escapes, Final Inspection, Top 3 Escapes, vendor issue / receive inspect reports, etc.
• Review results and findings after inspections and or audits are carried out to make recommendations for process / product improvements.
• Provide quality related documents to the manufacturing floor, including visual aids and work instructions.

Product / Process improvement

• Implement a working system to ensure conformity and accuracy in the production process
• Develop and lead projects with continuous improvement and / or corrective action teams.
• Drive quality improvements by working with Operations and Process Engineering to implement effective quality planning tools, recommendations for change, measurement systems, fixturing or gauging, sampling plans, statistical techniques, or other process controls.
• Participate in customer related interactions for the purpose of reporting, issue resolution, and cooperative continuous improvement opportunities that improve our products and increase customer satisfaction.
• Develop, report, and take action to improve metrics related to quality (i.e. cost of poor quality, customer complaints, product non-conformances, etc.).
• Ensure products adhere to company and industry quality standards
• Utilize the concepts of continuous improvement including Lean.

Key Expectations: Integrity, responsibility, work ethic, and team building are key characteristics to being a part of the Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing team. Therefore, we expect the best out of our team members. A Quality Engineer must meet the following expectations:

• Ensuring that they are wearing their PPE at all times
• Notifying the Quality Manager or Executive Quality Director if they have any problems with another team member
• Notifying the Quality Manager or Executive Quality Director if they need to be equipped with tools, product, etc. necessary to do their jobs
• Being aware of and watching for potential issues that cause down time and assisting the Quality Manager or Executive Quality Director in making adjustments in order to fix problems quickly and efficiently
• Keeping on task and in their work area as required
• Assisting in driving continuous improvement efforts by contributing to exceeding the team specified production goal of labor hours per foot

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements: A Quality Engineer must meet the following requirements:

• 4-year Degree in engineering or related manufacturing engineering field preferred.
• 2 - 5 years’ experience in a Quality related role, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Ability to solve complex problems and exercise judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Ability to support and / or lead root cause analysis, disciplined problem-solving and decision-making processes.
• Preferred experience includes auditing, quality theory, project management, and materials science.
• Excellent attendance record
• Excellent visual judgment to recognize errors and / or defects
• Excellent problem solving, multi-tasking, and organizational skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to ask and answer questions, lead in creating solutions and decision making
• Perform tasks and interactions with other team members in a professional manner

Physical Requirements: In order to complete a job successfully, certain physical requirements are needed within challenging work related environments. For this job the following is required:

• Must be physically capable of safely lifting a maximum of 40 lbs. without assistance
• Involves standing for long periods as required
• Involves climbing up and down stairs / ladders frequently
• May involve climbing underneath boats
• Involves extensive walking and exposure to all weather conditions
• Includes exposure to noise levels that are distracting and / or uncomfortable
• Requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Requires ability to hear and respond to radio communications