Customer Quality Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality engineering strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Define quality standards, metrics, and acceptance criteria for products and manufacturing processes.
• Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities.
• Support risk assessments including Process FMEA (PFMEA) and Design FMEA (DFMEA).
• Establish and maintain process control plans and Statistical Process Control (SPC) systems.
• Monitor manufacturing and operational processes for variation and performance trends.
• Lead root cause investigations utilizing methodologies such as: 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagrams, and Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.
• Support product design verification and validation activities.
• Identify, document, and track defects, quality escapes, and nonconforming material.
• Lead containment activities and corrective/preventive action processes (CAPA).
• Ensure timely resolution of internal and external quality concerns.
• Maintain accurate documentation of quality incidents and corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary quality contact for customer-related quality issues.
• Investigate customer complaints and coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific quality requirements.
• Support customer audits, supplier scorecards, and business reviews.
• Audits & Compliance Support internal, external, customer, and certification audits.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001 standards.
• Maintain quality documentation and records in accordance with company requirements.
• Track audit findings and ensure effective closure of corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams to resolve quality concerns.
• Provide quality input during design reviews, product launches, and process changes.
• Facilitate communication and alignment across departments regarding quality initiatives and customer issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in: Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience: 0-2 years of relevant experience in quality engineering, manufacturing, or related technical environments.
• Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in quality, manufacturing, or process improvement preferred.
• Exposure to the following is a plus: Quality inspections and testing, Process improvement projects, Data collection and analysis, Customer quality or supplier quality activities, Technical Skills Knowledge of quality engineering tools and methodologies, including: Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Control Plans, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Familiarity with Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools; Minitab experience preferred. Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications; GD&T knowledge preferred. Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality assurance principles. Knowledge of APQP and PPAP methodologies preferred.
• Professional Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. High level of attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn.
• Preferred Certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher. Other quality-related certifications are a plus.