Principal Product Quality Engineer

Cynosure Inc; Westford (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cynosure Inc. seeks an experienced Quality Assurance leader in Westford, MA to oversee the QA/QC program with a focus on transfers to contract manufacturers and continuous product and process improvement.

You will manage the local QC team and drive improvements across the quality system, with high visibility within the organization. Ideal candidates have 5–8 years in quality, medical devices, and regulatory environments (FDA/ISO 13485), plus CQE/CQA certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Optical Engineering required.
• 5–8 years of quality, product or process development in FDA/ISO 13485 medical devices.
• ASQ CQE or CQA certification desired.

Responsibilities

• Oversee QC/QA activities, CAPA, and risk management processes.
• Collaborate with contract manufacturers on transfers and validations.
• Develop KPIs and drive improvements across QC processes.
• Lead QA meetings and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Root cause analysis

DOE

Gage R&R

Statistical analysis

QMS

CAPA investigations

Regulatory knowledge

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Audit readiness

Education

Electrical/Mechanical/Optical Engineering BS

Tools

Minitab

ERP systems

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible to ensure all aspects of overall product quality with strong focus on overseeing product transfers to contract manufacturers and continuous product/process quality improvement with Cynosure suppliers makes improvements to the company quality system. Oversight on local QC team. High visibility role in the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the local QMS with QE support. Interpret quality data and non-conformances. Perform failure evaluations, determine root cause, and implement corrective action.
• Work closely with contract manufacturers on product transfers and process validations, help define in line inspection points to improve product quality, author product quality plans as needed.
• Work with suppliers and contract mfgs to drive root cause investigation and appropriate corrective actions.
• Manage Quality Control team including QC Inspectors, Doc Control Quality Analyst, Calibration Coordinator.
• Coordinate inspection activities to meet production and contract manufacturer requirements. Provide inspection guidance on inspection methodology.
• Work collaboratively with Operations on issue identification, escalation, root cause investigation, and corrective actions.
• Develop and implement KPIs for QC team to measure operational performance.
• Oversight on QC processes, including Incoming Inspection, In-process Inspection, Final QC, DHR Review, Calibration SOP. Drive updates and improvements to current processes.
• Own and manage individual CAPAs. Work with cross functional team to investigate root case and drive corrective actions.
• Support risk management activities. Able to update risk management files and draft Health Hazard Evaluations as needed.
• Support the MRB evaluation process. Represent QA on cross-function MRB committee.
• Initiate and/or participate in cross-functional teams to support department and company goals. Lead product quality related meetings; follow-up with team members for updates and actions; and distribute meeting minutes.
• Support Quality Control inspection group to ensure product quality is present at incoming, in-process, and at final inspection. Establish inspection procedures and provide guidance in inspection methodology. Provide technical oversight to the QC group.
• Prepare and update Quality Assurance documents and SOPs. Review and approve interdepartmental records, documents and SOPs to ensure conformance with the regulations and guidelines.
• Support special project team activities; complaint or CAPA investigations; and product or process risk analyses as needed.
• Must be team player, willing to contribute and collaborate to drive departmental goals
• Embody and deliver the “Exceptional Everyday”

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

Specific Area of Study: BS in Electrical, Mechanical or Optical Engineering preferred

Experience

5 to 8 years relevant experience

Specific Related Experience: Experience in quality, product development or process development within FDA and/or ISO 13485 regulated medical device setting, with hands on knowledge of regulations. Experience in medical devices manufacturing; experience with software driven electro-mechanical medical devices highly preferred. ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) certification desired. Previous experience supporting capital equipment and sterile products

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret international and national Quality standards.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information to top management and auditors from various compliance agencies.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with all levels within Quality as well as cross functionally with departments such as Manufacturing, Engineering and Purchasing.
• Proficient in the areas of statistical principles and applications; qualitative and quantitative data analysis; DOE, Acceptance and Sampling; process improvement/optimization; gage R&R measuring systems; and system and product audit.
• Proficient in manufacturing and quality documentation development
• Ability to work independently or under minimal supervision
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, challenges, and solutions
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
• Working knowledge of statistical programs (Minitab or other statistical packages)
• Knowledge of ISO standards for Class II medical devices preferable (ISO 13485, 14971)
• Working knowledge of electronic quality management systems and/or manufacturing execution (ERP) systems
• Exceptional analytical, electronics and electromechanical aptitude, problem solving, and root-cause analysis skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Physical Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Other (please specify) travel up to 25% to contract manufacturers and suppliers in MA