Principal Field Quality Engineer

Job Description / Responsibilities

• Investigate customer complaints, warranty claims, and field failures.
• Perform root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, A3, DMAIC, 5 Why, Fishbone, etc.).
• Lead containment activities to minimize customer impact.
• Cookordination corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) across manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and customer service.
• Analyze field performance, warranty trends, and quality metrics to identify systemic issues.
• Support customer visits and respond to quality-related inquiries.
• Prepare technical reports detailing investigations, findings, and corrective actions.
• Verify effectiveness of implemented corrective actions.
• Participate in product launches to ensure field quality considerations are incorporated into new products.
• Review manufacturing processes and recommend improvements to reduce defects.
• Work with Supplier Quality to address component-related issues.
• Support internal and external quality audits.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation including work instructions, control plans, PFMEAs, and inspection criteria as needed.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering on product improvements based on field performance.
• Monitor key quality indicators including: Customer PPM, Warranty costs, Field failure rates, Customer complaints, Corrective action closure.
• Provide technical guidance to manufacturing teams regarding quality concerns.
• Travel to customer locations, suppliers, or manufacturing facilities as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in: Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3–5 years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with customer complaint resolution.
• Knowledge of quality management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
• Lever Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Workday, etc.).
• Experience with warranty systems.
• Automotive or appliance manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of GD&T.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings.
• Statistical analysis experience (Minitab preferred).