Quality Engineer III

AeroVironment, Inc.; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Quality Engineer (QE) III to own overall product and service quality. You will engage CI resources to eliminate cost drivers, implement visual KPI metrics, and establish robust CAPA and non-conformance documentation.

This role may focus on customer or product quality in addition to core duties. You will coordinate with quality technicians, lead corrective actions, participate in PRR and inspection activities, and drive improvements across processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5–8 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, SPC, and Gage R&R methods.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate work with Quality Technicians and inspectors.
• Train on BMS procedures and support internal auditing.
• Drive corrective action and failure analysis.
• Participate in Product Readiness Reviews and Final Inspection activities.
• Provide guidance on quality improvement strategies and workmanship criteria.
• Perform process capability analyses and implement Inspection and Quality Plans.
• Conduct internal audits of QMS, purchasing, contract review, and manufacturing.
• Drive trend improvements in internal and external quality.
• Communicate with customers to understand needs and expectations.
• Review engineering specs to ensure quality and reliability requirements.
• Work to reduce defects via data analysis and team problem solving.
• Review contracts to flow down requirements to all functions.
• Perform PPAPs and liaise on NPI and first article inspection.

Skills

DMAIC

FMEA

PPAP

SPC

Gage R&R

Lean manufacturing

Quality improvement

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Tools

ISO 9001/AS9100

AS9102

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Quality Engineer (QE) III is accountable for the overall delivered quality of products and/or services to customers and ensures quality controls are met. The QE engages Continuous Improvement (CI) resources to identify and eliminate cost drivers, identify and eliminate flow disruptions and implement visual factory KPI metrics. The QE establishes effective Problem Reporting and CAPA systems for Containment, Correction & Prevention Actions and Documentation of non-conformances. The Quality Engineer will have either Customer Quality responsibilities or Product Quality responsibilities, in addition to the general responsibilities outlined.

Position Responsibilities

• Coordinate work with Quality Technicians and inspectors as necessary
• Perform training on BMS procedures with workforce, as required. Provides internal auditing support
• Responsible for driving corrective action and failure analysis in a timely manner
• Participate in Product Readiness Reviews (PRR) and coordinate Final Inspection activities
• Provide guidance and assistance in quality enhancement strategies and the interpretation of workmanship criteria
• Perform process capabilities analysis on key characteristics; implementing Inspection and Quality Plans
• Conduct internal audit activities including but not limited to quality management systems, purchasing, contract review process, and manufacturing
• Drive trend improvements on the internal & external quality in support of strategic business objectives
• Build stable, productive internal/external working relationships using effective interpersonal skills. Effectively articulate concepts and ideas to both technical and non-technical staff
• Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways while applying company policies and procedures
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factor
• Ensure product acceptance criteria reflect the customer's definition of fitness for use
• Correspond, as required, with customer representatives to ensure a thorough understanding of their needs and expectations
• Participate in the review of engineering specifications to ensure the inclusion of adequate quality and reliability requirements
• Work to reduce defects in various processes through data analysis and team problem-solving
• Review customer contracts and purchase orders to identify requirements and flow down new customer requirements to all functions
• Review New Product Integration (NPI) customer specifications to flow down new requirements to all functions and ensure in establishing compliance to customer requirements
• Perform PPAP's (production part approval process)
• Act as liaison for the development & LRIP areas on matters related to NPI process & first article inspection
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of related experience
• Experience and a strong understanding of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Gage R&R Studies and lean manufacturing methodologies
• Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001:AS9100, AS9102 standards and audits
• Ability to communicate with customer and suppliers to resolve processes gaps and the ability to apply specified requirements in a cost-effective approach
• Knowledge of dimensional inspection measurement systems and their application for the inspection of complex products - a full understanding of ASME Y14.5 (GD&T). Expertise in mechanical inspection methods and skills
• Ability to collect, compile and analyze data (using the appropriate six sigma methods and techniques); to determine both the actual root causes of identified problems and required corrective (preventive) actions to prevent recurrence
• Able to affect internal and external DPPM (scrap and rework) reduction and OTD improvements both internally and at our suppliers

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Demonstrates initiative to work efficiently and to streamline processes. Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments
• Has a full understanding of one's specialization and uses professional concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways
• Strong written/verbal communication, analytical, time management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well as both an individual contributor and as a member of a team
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to