Quality Engineer

Brightpath Associates LLC; Sparta (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightpath Associates LLC seeks a Quality Lead to manage advanced quality control activities for new product launches. You will interface with customer quality, product engineering, and manufacturing to develop and execute the quality system ensuring compliance with customer specs.

You will lead PFMEA, control plans, and gaging strategy, source gage packages, and drive CAPA actions while supporting NPR and supplier qualifications.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or related field required.
• Experience with SPC, PFMEA, control plans and GD&T is preferred.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 quality systems and audits.
• Ability to develop gaging strategies for launches.

Responsibilities

• Lead advancement of quality control activities for new product launches.
• Develop PFMEA, Control Plans and quality documentation for launches.
• Coordinate gaging strategy and vendor selection for launches.
• Support internal and supplier audits and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Launch Engineer, quality, and manufacturing teams.
• Train and mentor inspection personnel and ensure calibration.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Gage R&R

Control Plans

FMEA (DFMEA)

IATF 16949

Job description

Leads and manages in the advance quality control activities in coordination with the Launch Engineer and interfaces with site customer quality engineering, product engineering, and manufacturing staff in order to develop and execute the quality control system for new product launches. Ensures the quality system is in place to assure ongoing compliance with the customer specifications in production. Performs advanced quality planning, development of the gaging strategy and acquisition of the product gage package for launches. Responsible for providing coverage support for Quality Manager and ensures point of contact with Customer quality. As part of the Engineering team, participates in the attainment of department and company goals and demonstrates core operating values through work activities, actions and behaviors.

Responsibilities:

• Participates, as required, in the development of quote proposals for new business opportunities.
• Evaluates customer prints, models, and other quality input documents.
• Develops gaging strategies to support quoting needs.
• Provides input to develop gaging package budget to support quoting needs.
• Develops gaging vendors to support quality standards and operational needs.
• Develops the specific gaging strategy for new product launches.
• Sources the gaging package to the suppliers.
• Conducts design reviews and run-off’s with the gaging suppliers.
• Works with launch engineering to maintain budget negotiations for the gaging package.
• Works with site quality and operations to support the gaging strategy.
• Leads the launch team in the creation of PFMEA’s, Control Plans and other quality documentation for new product launches.
• Works with the launch team to create the quality documents.
• Creates all documentation to follow a one standard.
• Applies all Lessons Learned and 8-D of like products to the new quality documentation and quality plans.
• Maintains a standardize identification of RPN’s.
• Assists in the development and coordination of APQP documentation.
• Assists engineering in the measurement and establishment of process capability studies for die cast trials, vendor machine run-offs and component supplier manufacturing processes.
• Acts as the expert for determining if a process is stable and robust by applying statistical methods.
• Evaluates capability studies, assists in the set-up/planning of process trials, assists in analyzing data, and validates conclusions.
• Assists in the engineering of solutions to establish capable processes that meet customer expectations.
• Facilitates discipline approach to problem solving as necessary during the launch phase of new products.
• Supports New Product Review process (NPR) for the launch of new products with the following responsibilities:
• Reviews customer inputs: significant and critical characteristics, DFMEA, Warranty and Durability targets.
• Develops the quality plans for prototype parts.
• Supports manufacturing concepts for die casting, machining and assembly operations.
• Supports supplier selection, logistics, and timing/lead times.
• Maintains and improves on SLMP plant quality system:
• Leads in developing, documenting and reviewing inspection, quality assurance and calibration procedures.
• Assists in developing, documenting and implementing IATF 16949 quality systems, as needed.
• Assists with IATF 16949 internal audits and follow-up actions, as needed.
• Assists with the development and training of inspection personnel.
• Leads in the determination of sampling frequencies and quantities for inspection plans for new and ongoing jobs.
• Involvement with customer visits to SLMP and/or customer quality audits when required. This includes providing corrective actions resulting from the audits.
• Assists with the development of suppliers’ quality programs, as required.
• Issues supplier and internal corrective actions when nonconformity is found. Follows-up on problems and ensures that corrective actions have been implemented.
• Participates in lean manufacturing initiatives and incorporates lean and continuous improvement concepts in work activities and completion of projects.
• Communicates, coordinates and cooperates with all levels of management, team members, suppliers and customers on quality issues.
• Travels to customer’s plants to review customer complaints and potential problems.
• Leads automation and computerization of quality functions when justified.
• Jointly identifies problem areas and establishes corrective action with manufacturing personnel to correct and improve product quality.
• Maintains knowledge of inspection tools and the gage calibrations, including providing assistance in maintaining gage R&R studies and capability studies.
• Provides practical knowledge of statistics and SPC and train others in these topics.
• Contributes to and supports the existence of a positive work environment through personal involvement by communicating, interacting and behaving in a professional and ethical manner that promotes productive relationships with coworkers, supervisor, customers, and others with whom such relationships are important to the success of company operations.
• Monitors customer’s scorecard using their portals and updates Quality Manager for good and bad trends and for Management Review.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field.
• SPC training including working knowledge. (Includes Gage R&R knowledge).
• Completion of Blueprint interpretation course including Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing.
• Control Plan and FMEA training or working knowledge.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficient in statistical analysis and quality control methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with IATF 16949 quality systems.