Quality Engineer I

Milbank | Energy at Work; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in Kansas City is seeking a Quality Engineer I to ensure product quality and process improvement. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and experience in quality-related work, particularly in manufacturing. Responsibilities include leading kaizen events, auditing quality systems, and developing best practices for continuous improvement. This position offers growth opportunities within the quality team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in quality or manufacturing or four to six years of equivalent experience.
• Three to five years of experience in quality-related work, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of basic quality core tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality-related kaizen events with cross-functional teams.
• Implement and maintain the Quality Accountability Cycle.
• Audit quality management systems and vendor parts inspection procedures.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quality or Manufacturing

Tools

Control Plans

FMEA

SPC

Blueprint reading

Job description

Position Summary

Quality Engineer I role at Milbank | Energy at Work.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required, ideally related to quality or manufacturing or four to six years’ equivalent experience.
• Experience:
  • Required: Ability to develop into a Level II and III role within three years through a skills development plan.
  • Preferred: Three to five years’ experience in quality-related work, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
  • Understanding of basic quality core tools such as Control Plans, APQP, SPC, PPAP, FMEA and MSA.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills along with verbal, writing and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience with nationally recognized testing laboratories such as UL.
  • Background in sheet metal manufacturing, welding, powder coating paint systems and electrical and electronic component assembly a plus; proficiency in blueprint reading and experience with union workforce.

Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Training and Awareness:

• Lead quality‑related kaizen events with cross‑functional teams.
• Participate in PIT (Performance Improvement Team) activities.
• Work with all levels of associates to learn all manufacturing processes from raw materials to final assembly.
• Build the skill level of production personnel and verify proper gauge usage and data recording.
• Facilitate continuous improvement and learning through training and communication of quality initiatives.

Build Quality Into the Manufacturing Process:

• Use core tools to proactively incorporate quality into the process.
• Implement and maintain QAC (Quality Accountability Cycle).
• Responsible for quality control for new product development.
• Assist in the development of assembly fixturing and gaging.
• Develop Poka‑yoke processes throughout manufacturing.
• Audit quality management systems such as control plans, PPAP, FMEA, calibrations, etc.
• Audit receiving inspection procedures of vendor parts as necessary.
• Make quality decisions about suspect parts and disposition of defective material from suppliers and internal production.
• Manage and monitor a world‑class level of supplier quality.
• Develop and maintain in‑process and end‑of‑line testing programs throughout the manufacturing process.
• Develop and maintain calibration programs on gauges, torque wrenches, air tools, etc.
• Ensure compliance with nationally recognized testing laboratories such as UL.
• Serve as an internal quality consultant for product groups, management, New Product Development Engineering, Marketing and Sales.

Problem Troubleshooting:

• Investigate FR (field report) and CAP (corrective action plan) reports; lead investigations and work with cross‑functional teams to develop internal resolution and prevent recurrence.
• Investigate product quality problems, determine root cause, gather and analyze data, and implement corrective action to reduce or eliminate causes.
• Submit change requests to product engineering for drawing corrections, product assembly problems, etc.
• Track and measure First Pass Yield and develop action plans for improvement.

Continuous Improvement/Lean Enterprise:

• Develop and implement best practices leading to improvements in lean manufacturing concepts and product quality.
• Support the implementation of the 5S workplace organization process.
• Utilize frameworks and systems, including visual management, problem solving, standard work and kaizen.
• Adhere to and promote the HR Pledge.
• Cooperate and commit in a team environment to achieve goals and deliverables.
• Resolve difficult or complicated challenges using the problem‑solving process.
• Actively embrace core principles.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not routinely supervise others. The employee may occasionally fill in for absent production supervisory personnel, assigning and directing work, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Competencies:

• Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; conduct meetings and presentations.
• Express complicated and technical matters clearly and concisely.
• Embrace a diverse working environment and leverage strength differences.
• Involve hourly production workers in problem solving and process improvement.
• Foster and encourage an atmosphere of responsibility, quality and pride.
• Develop into Level II and III role within three years through a skills development plan.

A Quality Engineer Will:

• Be a leader, coach, mentor and knowledge expert for the quality system and its development, documentation and implementation.
• Understand supplier relations and performance, leadership, training, interpersonal relationships, improvement systems and professional ethics.
• Understand the audit process including types of audits, planning, preparation, execution, reporting results and follow‑up.
• Develop and implement quality programs, including tracking, analyzing, reporting and problem solving.
• Plan, control and assure product and process quality in accordance with quality principles.
• Plan, control and assure product application, including design, manufacturing and construction.
• Have a thorough understanding of problem‑solving and quality improvement tools and techniques.
• Acquire and analyze data using appropriate standard quantitative methods for a spectrum of business environments to facilitate process analysis and improvements.

Travel Required: Less than 15%

Hours: Regular 40‑hour workweek. Overtime as needed.

Working Conditions: Office and/or manufacturing plant floor setting. Required to sit, stand and frequently move about the facility. Required to use safety glasses and other PPE in specific areas. May occasionally be required to lift or move up to 50 lbs.