Quality Engineer

Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to support quality systems across NADCAP, ISO 9001:2015, and AS9100 frameworks.

You will lead corrective actions, nonconforming material reviews, and cross-functional process development to accelerate product movement and company growth. The role requires strong metrology, data analysis, and MSA/DFM knowledge, with a focus on continuous improvement and supplier collaboration.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience with NADCAP/ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Rev. D.
• Strong data analysis and SPC skills.
• Customer quality assurance experience.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with customers for quality issues (nonconformances, complaints, returns), project status, change requests, deviations, etc.
• Conduct APQP meetings to produce PPAP documents such as DFM, M-flow, pFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, and AS9102 or equivalent.
• Cross-functionally document processes and Quality Plans complying with QMS, customer and regulatory requirements, including inspection and testing at proper stages.
• Lead MRB activities for prompt closure of nonconformances and maintain accurate records.
• Coordinate 8D root cause analysis and lead corrective-action teams to implement effective actions.
• Provide statistical analysis of quality KPIs and drive continuous improvements using lean methods.
• Interact with suppliers for quality issues including supplier corrective actions and audits.
• Perform internal and external quality audits as assigned.

Skills

Statistical process control

Data analysis

NADCAP

AS9100

ISO 9001

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc., known as VPE, is an exciting special-process manufacturing company for defense, semiconductor, energy markets that is growing. VPE technologies have applications in defense, medical, semiconductor, energy, and commercial aviation. There is never a dull day at VPE; we’ve been in business for 45 years and have 5 buildings with over 200,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. We are seeking an additional team member to help with Prototyping and CNC Programming; a dedicated individual with good work ethics that is seeking a long-term career with a stable company.

Pay Range: 90-110k

Summary:

Supports quality functions from all aspects of systems compliance and process assessment and control. The Senior Quality Engineer position plays a key role in supporting process improvements by leading corrective actions and nonconforming material reviews for more efficient product movement and company growth. The Quality Engineer has a significant role in cross-functional process development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communicate with customers for Quality issues (nonconformances, complaints, returns), project status, change requests, deviations, etc.
• Conduct Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) meetings to produce output that includes Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documents such as design for manufacturability (DFM), M-flow, process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (pFMEA), Control Plan, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Statistical Analysis, AS9102 documents or similar based on customer requirements.
• Cross-functionally partner with departments to document processes and Quality Plans which comply with QMS, customer and regulatory requirements; including inspection and testing of key features at proper stages, appropriate sampling (size and frequency), and proper measurement methods and techniques.
• Profound knowledge of metrology (GD&T and inspection techniques) to analyze and recommend needs/improvements for measurement systems (G-R&R, inspection instructions, visual aids, etc.)
• Conduct MRB activities for prompt closure of nonconformances and with accurate and proper records.
• Participate in and/or coordinate 8D root cause analysis using tools such as 5-why, fishbone diagrams, brainstorming, etc. Lead corrective action teams to implement effective actions.
• Provide statistical analysis of Quality related KPIs: Cost of Quality, nonconformances (systemic and process/product oriented) to recommend improvements in corporate quality performance, increased customer satisfaction, and/or simplification of processes (using lean methodology).
• Assess potential quality risks, evaluate human factors and natural process variation with the goal of preventing unnecessary costs. Coordinate with process owners for data sharing and implementation of improvements.
• Interact with suppliers for Quality issues, such as supplier corrective actions, supplier audits, receiving inspection sampling, coordination of measurement and testing methods.
• Perform internal and external quality audits as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Quality Engineer will not be in a supervisory role.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Adaptability – Open to and actively solicit new ideas and opinions

Assertiveness – readily offer opinions proactively even when the position may be unpopular.

Business Thinking – Sees the organization as a series of integrated and interlocking processes. Understands general business concepts.

Communication – Demonstrate ability to work effectively with cross functional groups including suppliers, customers, and associates both written and verbally.

Conflict Management – Support and manage differences of opinion. Use consensus and collaboration to debate and resolve problems.

Organization and Planning – Manage time wisely and effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks.

Results Oriented – Maintains appropriate focus on short- and long-term goals. Motivated by achievement and persistence.

Safety – Strong belief in safety and housekeeping standards and policies.

Qualifications

Extensive work experience in statistical process control environments, data analysis, and data-based decision environments

Previous work experience in a NADCAP, an ISO 9000 or AS9100 registered organization.

Customer quality assurance experience.

Education and/or Experience

Five years’ experience in an industrial manufacturing environment

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write procedural documents, routine reports, comprehensive presentations, and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Current Driver’s License

Other Skills and Abilities

Communication skills using email, portals, meeting platforms, and verbal contact

Accuracy and organization

Other Qualifications

Thorough understanding of NADCAP, ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Rev. D Standards

Inspection Experience - Mechanical and Process

Heavily experienced in data analysis, SPC, data-driven decision processes

Physical Demands 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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.