Senior Quality Engineer - APQP & Product Launch Lead

USA Rare Earth, LLC; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Rare Earth is seeking a Quality Engineer to support APQP-driven product launches and uphold the integrity of the Quality System across manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, and supplier teams.

You will lead PPAPs, audits, corrective actions, and customer assessments, ensuring compliance with ISO/AS standards and customer requirements.

The role emphasizes hands-on quality leadership, training, and continuous improvement, with on-site work and occasional travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–10 years of hands-on quality experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), ISO 9001, AS 9100, or IATF 16949 certification.
• Understanding of PFMEAs and control plans.
• Ability to lead and train others on the team.
• Capable of leading or supporting the corrective action process.
• Basic computer skills, including ERP systems, Excel, and data entry.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Preferred: experience supporting manufacturing or industrial production workflows; exposure to 5S and continuous improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the APQP process for new and revised products, from voice-of-customer requirements through to production launch, ensuring all deliverables meet customer and regulatory specifications.
• Facilitate cross-functional APQP teams, including engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and suppliers, to drive program milestones and resolve risks on schedule.
• Manage PPAP submissions, including flow diagrams, FMEA, process control plans, and gate reviews, to ensure supplier and internal processes are approved before volume production.
• Support Quality Leadership with new product launches.
• Lead or participate in the corrective action process.
• Support receiving and final inspections.
• Perform internal audits per schedule and direction, following findings through to closure.
• Lead or support the completion of customer assessments.

Skills

Quality Assurance

APQP

FMEA

PFMEA

Audit leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

USA Rare Earth is seeking a Quality Engineer to support APQP-driven product launches and uphold the integrity of the Quality System across manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, and supplier teams.

You will lead PPAPs, audits, corrective actions, and customer assessments, ensuring compliance with ISO/AS standards and customer requirements.

The role emphasizes hands-on quality leadership, training, and continuous improvement, with on-site work and occasional travel as needed.