Quality Engineer

American Precision Avionics, Inc.; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

American Precision Avionics, Inc. is seeking a Quality Assurance professional to lead the Quality & Safety department.

The role supervises the inspection team and reports to the General Manager, with duties spanning quality requirements, process control, audits, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure safe, compliant products. The candidate will develop quality standards, support design changes, and maintain certifications such as ISO 9001/AS9100, with limited travel within North America.

Qualifications

• 2 to 5 years Manufacturing and/or Quality work experience; Electrical Engineering background preferable.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or STEM equivalent.
• Quality-related professional training such as CQE, Six Sigma, IPC-A-620, ISO 9001/AS9100 Auditor.
• Good understanding and working knowledge of ISO 9001:2000 or AS9100 (preferred).
• Experience with quality systems and regulatory agencies (FAA, SAE, UL, OSHA).
• Lean principles, FMEAs, root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, statistics.
• Auditing competence; bilingual skills a plus; strong written and oral communication.
• Independent worker with customer-oriented interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, apply, implement and maintain quality requirements, standards and written processes to ensure product safety and compliance with customer specs.
• Serve as the primary QA resource to department supervisors for problem identification, resolution, loss reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Support concurrent engineering by representing Quality Assurance in design development projects with customers.
• Design and implement methods for process control, testing, and inspection; verify adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Promote and execute quality standards, inspection processes, test methodologies, quality plans, documents and reports.
• Process & Product Improvement: implement preventive and corrective actions; participate in launches, redesigns and process changes; collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain and improve Quality system certification and objectives; prepare and present reports to management.
• Participate in internal and external quality audits; interface with supplier and customer quality representatives.

Skills

Statistics & SPC

Auditing (internal/external)

Root Cause Analysis

Process Improvement

Communication skills

Bi-lingual English/Spanish

Independent work

Quality systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM

CQE / Six Sigma / ISO 9001/AS9100 Auditor training

Familiarity with OSHA FAA/SAE/UL

Tools

ERP systems

QA software & tools

Job description

Department: Quality & Safety

Reports To: General Manager

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt

Supervision: Yes, Quality Engineer II and in charge of inspection team for quality only.

Hours: Monday -Thursday 6:00-4:30 (extra hours as required)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop, apply, implement and maintain quality requirements, standards and written processes for development, manufactured and purchased products to ensure product consistency, safety and compliance with customer specifications.

• Serve as the primary Quality Assurance resource to department supervisor(s) for problem identification, resolution, loss reporting, and continuous improvement.

• Support concurrent engineering efforts by participating in design development projects representing Quality Assurance and the customer.

• Design and implement methods for process control, process improvement, testing, and inspection. Inspect and test materials, equipment, processes, and finished products to verify adherence to quality and safety standards

• Promote and execute quality standards, inspection processes, test methodology, quality plans, documents, and reports

• Process & Product Improvement
  Recommend and implement preventive and corrective actions to enhance product safety and quality
  Participate in new product launches, redesigns, and process changes to ensure design-process compatibility
  Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, procurement) to improve quality and productivity

• Maintain and improve Quality system certification and objectives.

• Prepare and present reports on quality and safety issues to management

• Participate in internal and external quality audits.

• Interface with supplier and customer quality representatives.

• Minimal travel within North America.

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• 2 to 5 years Manufacturing and/or Quality work experience. Electrical Engineering background highly preferable.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or STEM equivalent.

• Quality related professional training and/or experience such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, IPC-A-620, ISO 9001/AS9100 Auditor, or equivalent

• Good understanding and working knowledge of ISO 9001:2000 or AS9100 (preferred).

• Experience with other Quality Systems and regulatory agencies such as FAA, SAE, UL and OSHA

• Familiarity with Lean Principals, Control Plans, FMEAs, Root Cause Analysis, Corrective/Preventive Action Plans, Statistics, Supplier management.

• Competence in performing quality system audits.

• Innovative problem-solving approach

• Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus, but not mandatory.

• Well-developed oral and written communication skills.

• Desire and ability to work independently.

• Customer-oriented with outstanding interpersonal skills.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Broad knowledge of theory and principles of statistics and statistical process control.

• Diverse knowledge of inspection, control methods, control techniques, and documenting inspection. Knowledge of conformity and documenting conformance and nonconformance.

• Skilled at auditing both internal and external processes for objective and effectiveness.

• Familiarity with OSHA audits and safe work practices in manufacturing.

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).

• Strong computer skills including QA applications, spreadsheets, and ERP systems.

• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate and solve practical problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. May include lifting up to 35 pounds on occasion.

Primary environment: Manufacturing and Office; indoor climate controlled