Lead Quality Engineer – Manufacturing & Process Improvement

CAEtech Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

On-site

Job summary

CAEtech seeks an experienced Lead Quality Engineer to support manufacturing quality and process-improvement initiatives in Middlesex, North Carolina. This is a full-time contract position with benefits, onsite Monday through Friday, with an anticipated assignment duration of 3-6 months.

The engineer will provide technical leadership in resolving complex manufacturing and product-quality issues, improving manufacturing yield, reducing scrap and rework, and driving corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5+ years in manufacturing/quality engineering.
• Experience in regulated QMS environments and aerospace context is preferred.
• Demonstrated competency with AS9100/ISO 9001 and APQP/PPAP methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting of complex product and process quality issues.
• Drive yield improvements and reduce scrap and rework.
• Lead DoE activities from planning to closure and implement data-driven improvements.
• Support PPAP submissions and maintain control plans and PFMEAs.
• Perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, engineering and supplier quality.

Skills

AS9100/ISO 9001

APQP/PPAP

Quality analysis

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional

MS Office/Teams

8D/5Why/Fishbone

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Teams

Job description

CAEtech is seeking an experienced Lead Quality Engineer to support manufacturing quality and process-improvement initiatives in Middlesex, North Carolina. This is a full-time contract position with benefits, onsite Monday through Friday, with an anticipated assignment duration of 3-6 months.

The engineer will provide technical leadership in resolving complex manufacturing and product-quality issues, improving manufacturing yield, reducing scrap and rework, and driving corrective actions. A key focus of the assignment will be leading Design of Experiments (DOE) activities and implementing data-driven process improvements in collaboration with manufacturing, engineering, quality and other cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex product and manufacturing-process quality issues.
• Drive improvements in manufacturing yield while reducing scrap, rework, Cost of Non-Conformance and potential delivery delays.
• Lead Design of Experiments activities through execution, analysis, implementation and closure.
• Work with manufacturing and process-engineering teams to evaluate production processes and implement improvements through structured DOE trials.
• Lead investigations of customer complaints, quality escapes and product returns.
• Drive containment, root-cause analysis, corrective actions and preventive actions.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone Analysis and Pareto Analysis.
• Deploy APQP methodologies and support PPAP submissions and approvals.
• Support development and maintenance of control plans, PFMEAs, inspection methods, validation activities and launch-readiness requirements.
• Improve manufacturing-process capability through SPC, mistake-proofing and variation-reduction initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable customer, regulatory and industry standards, including AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Support audits, assessments and corrective-action activities.
• Partner with Supplier Quality and Supply Chain teams to improve supplier performance.
• Serve as a quality subject-matter expert and provide technical guidance to Quality Engineers and cross-functional teams.

Skills Required

• Experience with AS9100 and/or ISO 9001.
• Experience deploying APQP and PPAP methodologies.
• Strong experience with quality analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience using program-management tools and advanced problem-solving techniques.
• Strong root-cause analysis and corrective-action capabilities.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and drive technical issues through resolution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Teams.

Skills Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher; Black Belt preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
• Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor certification.

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Experience Required

• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing, quality engineering, supplier quality or a related technical role.
• Experience working within a regulated Quality Management System environment.

Experience Preferred

• Aerospace manufacturing experience.

Work Environment

This is an onsite position in Middlesex, North Carolina, with a typical schedule of 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. The assignment involves direct interaction with manufacturing-floor processes and cross-functional engineering and quality teams.

About CAEtech

CAEtech connects talent, technology and innovation to help organizations and professionals move programs, technologies and opportunities forward. Founded in 1989, CAEtech has decades of experience connecting specialized engineering, technology and professional talent with leading organizations and technology-driven programs. Our experience spans mobility and automotive, advanced manufacturing, software and digital technologies, and other emerging technology markets.