What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Engineer position at Reed Manufacturing?
Company Description
Reed Manufacturing, established in 1896 and proudly operated by the fifth generation of the Wright family, is a leader in professional-grade pipe tools and vises. Known for its innovative spirit, REED has set benchmarks in the industry with tools like the Quick Release™ Tubing Cutter and specialized solutions for large-diameter pipe. The company's tool categories include cutters, water service tools, plastic pipe tools, wrenches, and more. Each REED tool is engineered for durability, precision, and performance to meet the rigorous demands of professional tradespeople. Headquartered in Erie, PA, REED is committed to continuous innovation and customer satisfaction.
Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site role for a Quality Assurance Engineer at Reed Manufacturing's headquarters in Erie, PA. This role is part of the Engineering and Production Teams in a small manufacturing environment. This is an excellent opportunity to join a long-established but growing family-owned company. Salary estimated at 75k based on experience and education with profit sharing and a comprehensive employee benefits package including 401(k), healthcare & more.
Expectations
Acts with integrity, drive for results, communicates and influences, demonstrates business acumen, thinks strategically, drives a continuous improvement culture, develops employees, team, and self.
Position Summary
The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving quality systems that ensure products meet customer requirements, regulatory standards, and internal specifications. This role supports manufacturing operations through process control, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, improve yield, and drive operational excellence.
Quality Systems & Compliance
- Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 and other applicable standards
- Support internal and external audits, including customer and supplier audits
- Develop, revise, and enforce quality procedures, work instructions, and inspection standards
- Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements
Manufacturing Quality Support
- Provide day‑to‑day quality engineering support to manufacturing, assembly, and machining operations
- Establish and maintain process control plans, inspection plans, and quality metrics
- Verify proper use of gauges, measurement devices, and statistical tools
- Assist with first article inspections (FAI) and validation of new or revised processes
Root Cause & Corrective Action
- Lead root cause analysis using tools such as 5‑Why, Fishbone, Pareto analysis, and SPC
- Implement and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
- Analyze scrap, rework, and customer returns to drive measurable improvements
Supplier & Incoming Quality
- Support supplier quality activities, including supplier evaluation and issue resolution
- Review incoming inspection data and assist with supplier corrective actions
- Collaborate with Purchasing and Engineering on supplier quality requirements
New Product & Engineering Support
- Participate in new product introductions (NPI), design reviews, and process validations
- Review drawings, specifications, and bills of material for quality risk
- Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) from a quality and manufacturability perspective
Continuous Improvement
- Drive Lean and continuous improvement projects related to quality, yield, and cost reduction
- Support Six Sigma or similar problem‑solving initiatives when applicable
- Train production employees on quality standards, inspection methods, and defect prevention
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field)
Required Experience/Knowledge/Skills:
- Three (3) or more years of experience in a manufacturing environment
- Excellent communications and people skills
- Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 and manufacturing quality systems
- Ability to read and interpret engineering documents, including GD&T
- Proficiency with common quality tools: calipers, micrometers, CMM, OGP etc...
- Experience with ERP systems and quality data reporting
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing