Quality Engineer

KMT Waterjet; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

KMT Waterjet is seeking a Quality Engineer to act as the technical liaison between product engineering, manufacturing, assembly and our supply base. You will oversee inspections, testing, and sampling to ensure materials and products meet all specifications, drawings, and quality requirements.

The ideal candidate has experience with APQP, FMEA, control plans, and PPAP submissions, and can lead audits, CAPA, and continuous improvement efforts reporting to the Director of Quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Quality or Manufacturing preferred).
• 3–5 years of supplier quality or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong project management skills.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 standards and quality management systems.
• Experience with containment activities and corrective action plans.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical liaison between product engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and suppliers.
• Conduct inspections, testing, and sampling to ensure compliance with specifications and quality requirements.
• Support new project launches, including APQP, FMEA, control plans, and PPAP submissions.
• Lead process and product audits, corrective/preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and supplier development programs.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Excel & PowerPoint

Travel (domestic & international)

Lean manufacturing

SPC knowledge

Gauge calibration knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Quality or Manufacturing preferred)

Equivalent quality engineering experience

Tools

MS Office

ISO 9001 knowledge

Job description

KMT
635 W 12th St
Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

KMT
635 W 12th St
Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA

At KMT Waterjet, a Shape Technologies Group (SHAPE) company, we’re devoted to a single goal: delivering innovative manufacturing process solutions that propel our customers to success. SHAPE is a strategic ecosystem of companies, including Advanced Pressure Systems (APS), Flow International, Shape Process Automation, KMT Waterjet, H20 Jet, Aqua Dyne, Aquarese, Pro Jet System, and TOPS. Collectively, we provide an extensive portfolio of manufacturing process solutions to customers worldwide.

Spanning 100 countries and a broad array of industries, SHAPE is expanding its reach through a growing number of direct and indirect channels. By partnering with our customers, we become integral to the successful design and manufacture of their next-generation products. We continually scour the globe for new, industry-leading technologies to add to our differentiated portfolio of offerings and grow our customer base. Our vision is to become the preeminent advanced process-solutions partner for the highly engineered products of tomorrow.

What We Offer.

In addition to training and career advancement opportunities, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, life insurance, paid disability insurance, education reimbursement, and more.

SUMMARY

Shape Technologies Group is seeking a Quality Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will act as the technical liaison between product engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and our supply base. You will be responsible for inspections, testing, and sampling to ensure materials and products meet all specifications, drawings, and quality requirements.

The ideal candidate has experience with new product launches, including advanced product quality planning, failure mode and effects analysis, control plans, and production part approval process (PPAP) submissions. You should also be skilled in conducting process and product audits, driving corrective and preventive actions, and supporting product and process improvement teams.

You will report to the Director of Quality and collaborate closely with other departments to maintain seamless operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as the technical liaison between product engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and suppliers.
• Conduct inspections, testing, and sampling to ensure compliance with specifications, drawings, and quality requirements.
• Support new project launches, including APQP, FMEA, control plans, and PPAP submissions.
• Lead process and product audits, corrective/preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain process documentation (work instructions, first article inspections, control plans).
• Manage supplier development programs, including audits, corrective actions, and performance metrics.
• Conduct supplier assessments and systemic audits for new and existing suppliers.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools (root cause analysis, 5 Whys, fishbone, error proofing, containment).
• Provide detailed reports and tracking to communicate project and issue status to stakeholders.
• Support plant activities and escalating quality issues as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES :

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and apply critical thinking focused on prevention.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing concepts.
• SPC (statistical process control) knowledge.
• Gauge calibration knowledge.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE :

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Quality or Manufacturing preferred); equivalent experience in quality engineering considered.
• 3–5 years of supplier quality or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to solve complex quality issues under tight deadlines.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 standards and quality management systems.
• Experience with containment activities and corrective action plans.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for an 8+ hour shift. Lift, carry, and move 50+ pounds. Push, pull, reach, bend, and twist your body.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.