Advanced Quality Engineer

About the role

The Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) leads quality initiatives for new parts, new processes, and New Product Introductions (NPI) across U.S.-based refrigeration manufacturing sites. This role is responsible for ensuring new equipment, processes, and product changes are launched successfully and transitioned to the plant with sustainable, long-term ownership.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead all new equipment qualification activities within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Serve as the process quality expert for assigned equipment, parts, and manufacturing processes.
• Travel to supplier and manufacturing sites for planning meetings, equipment runoffs, and significant production trials.
• Review equipment qualification results and secure leadership approval prior to equipment shipment from suppliers.
• Develop and execute robust qualification plans for new equipment in partnership with Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) and equipment suppliers.
• Lead gage development for production, including specification, design review, cross-functional communication, and final buyoff.
• Facilitate gage kickoff meetings with cross-functional stakeholders, including AME, plant quality engineers, and design engineers.
• Use CMM, 3D scanning, hand gages, and other metrology tools to measure, analyze, and validate parts.
• Lead dimensional analysis reviews for new equipment and build alignment with design engineering and leadership on corrective actions and next steps.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new parts, products, and processes that are sustainable and fully supported after launch.
• Act as a liaison between product design and manufacturing to ensure issues are addressed early and launches occur with minimal disruption.
• Drive Cost of Quality (COQ) improvements, including scrap reduction, yield improvement, concessions, damage reduction, and service call prevention.
• Provide technical leadership in the investigation, development, procurement, and implementation of manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Lead cross-functional PFMEA activities to identify risks associated with new parts and process changes and ensure mitigation actions are implemented before launch.
• Partner with team leaders to develop job instructions, define critical process requirements, and establish standard work and Manufacturing Control Instructions (MCIs).
• Execute drive, strip, and torque studies on new joints to validate torque capability and process robustness.
• Own Quality Management System (QMS) documentation for implemented changes, including Manufacturing Control Plans (MCPs), forms, and MCIs, ensuring compliance with applicable ISO standards.
• Qualify in-house equipment with minimal direction and ensure readiness for production use.
• Interpret GEA technical drawings, including MBD, GD&T, and linear dimensions, and ensure quality plans align with drawing requirements.
• Perform part scanning, CMM analysis, and caliper measurements as needed; additional CMM technician support may be available for broader measurement collection.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a technical discipline, or equivalent related experience
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, NPI quality, or process improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate of a GE Appliances development program (SCDP, AEDP, or similar)
• Strongly preferred
• Demonstrated leadership and effective communication skills in the definition, design, implementation, and troubleshooting of manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with GE Appliances refrigeration operations, including DPO, MRO, or AP5
• Experience using, programming, and interpreting CMM, 3D scanning, and other metrology systems
• Strong background in Lean process improvement within high-volume manufacturing environments
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification; proficiency with Minitab preferred

What You'll Bring to Our Team

• Minimum Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a technical discipline, or equivalent related experience
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, NPI quality, or process improvement

Working Conditions

• Up to 25% domestic and international travel may be required to support supplier equipment runoffs
• Work is performed in a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Frequent walking throughout the manufacturing plant is required

Culture

• Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D).
• This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.
• We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.
• GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the individual, team, and organization.
• We are committed to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.