Sr. Quality Engineer

Southern Felt Company, Inc; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sr. QA Engineer at Alkegen oversees quality across product lines from raw materials to customer satisfaction. You will lead quality systems development, drive continuous improvement, and ensure ISO9001 compliance, internal audit programs, and measurement equipment calibration.

The role emphasizes Right First Time, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration to meet customer specs. Strong background in chemical/manufacturing quality, Lean Six Sigma, and statistical methods is

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Materials Engineering with 3+ years in chemical/manufacturing environments.
• Lean Six Sigma experience with statistical analysis and problem solving (e.g. DOE) required.
• Understanding of quality tools: Cpk, Root Cause Analysis, G8D, DFMEA, PFMEA, MSA, Control Plans.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and organizational skills; ISO audit experience is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Minitab experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality engineering activities for product lines from development to production.
• Develop and maintain quality systems to support customer requirements.
• Apply statistical methods and problem-solving tools to improve processes.
• Oversee internal audit program and ISO 9001 compliance.
• Manage process capability studies, R&R, and correlations as needed.
• Collaborate with suppliers and customers to ensure conformance to specs.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Lean Six Sigma

Root Cause Analysis

DOE (Design of Experiments)

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Materials Engineering

Tools

Minitab

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Requirements

Why work for us? Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways. Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we’re always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!

Job Description Summary

Monitors, inspects, and evaluates products to ensure predetermined quality standards are met. Develops and updates testing-related documentation, including test cases, plans, and flaw-reporting procedures.

Responsibilities

The Sr. QA Engineer provides focus, attention and energy to the strategically important product lines. This position is responsible for the quality engineering aspects of these products. Key elements of the position include: problem solving facilitation, development of quality systems to support customer requirements, quality assurance activity within the product-development cycle, and implementation of statistical methods. Oversees the lifecycle of the product line, from raw material goods in through to customer satisfaction and all manufacturing processes in between. The main objective is to manage Quality assurance and control activities with the mind‑set of ‘Right First Time’ to the customer. A hands‑on approach of continuous improvement within the process is critical to support the operations team. Develop and manage relationship with customers to minimize charge back costs. Support a strategic plan to drive a world‑class quality experience for our customers. Maintain continued compliance to ISO9001. Responsible for leading and managing the Internal Audit Program. Responsible for the establishment, implementation and maintenance of documented procedures to control, calibrate, and maintain all inspection, measuring and test equipment used to demonstrate the conformance of products. Responsible for performing and documenting process capability studies for products. Including related studies such as Repeatability & Reproducibility (R&R) and Correlations may also be required. Deliver the quality requirements for the internal Alkegen supply chain, ensure relevant raw material specifications are established and verified during goods receiving, whilst ensuring the saleable production specifications are maintained and aligned to any applicable customer technical specifications. Utilize APQP, statistical analysis, PPAP, and problem‑solving tools to drive continuous improvement. Be an effective influencer of all site functional departments to ensure both compliance and performance is aligned to both Business and Industry standards / expectations. Ensure Plant Process Owners take accountability for the effectiveness and efficiency of the respective Key Processes they’re responsible for. Act as a Champion for Quality roll out and be able to influence and drive Quality initiatives and benefits to stakeholders at all levels. Drive a continuous improvement culture at site, ensuring a high level of engagement to the growth and optimization of the existing product and processes. Support Lab Manager with physical test data review and product sample review. Support QC with Inspection and related processes, including the review and disposition of work in process and finished goods products. Aid in the receipt of Return Material Authorizations and the re‑testing of such Returns.

Qualifications/Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Materials Engineering along with 3+ years of experience in a Chemical/manufacturing environment and/or technical role. Demonstrated Lean Six Sigma experience with statistical analysis and problem solving (e.g. DOE) knowledge required. High level understanding of quality tools Process Capability, Root Cause Analysis, G8D, DFMEA, PFMEA, MSA, and Control Plans. Excellent people, communication, team building and organizational skills are essential. Advanced computer skills in applications such as Microsoft Office, Minitab. A team player, capable of working cross functionally to determine practical solutions to operational issues. Prior experience with ISO or similar quality audit process.

At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people – ALL PEOPLE – breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran’s status, or any other protected class.

Alkegen is a specialty materials leader serving mission‑critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including: battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy, and live greener. We help people breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. Our experience speaks for itself. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer with the global reach and talent to solve your most demanding applications. With 60 manufacturing facilities and 9,000+ highly skilled employees located around the world, we can solve any challenge. Dedicated to sustainability and human health, we are uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.