Quality Engineer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Process Quality & Improvement:
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) processes (e.g., ISO 9001/IATF 16949 compliance) specifically for the manufacturing of lidar sensors.
  • Lead the application of Advanced Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) methodologies for new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes.
  • Utilize Statistical Process Control (SPC) and capability analysis to monitor and control critical process parameters in manufacturing and test environments.
• Failure Analysis & Corrective Action (CAPA):
  • Lead and document Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for internal non-conformances and external customer returns using industry-standard tools (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams).
  • Drive the implementation of effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurrence of quality issues across design, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Design & Product Quality:
  • Work with Design and R&D teams to implement Design for Quality/Manufacturability (DFQ/DFM) best practices.
  • Facilitate Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), including Design FMEA (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA).
  • Define and review product quality inspection plans, test procedures, and specifications for complex opto-mechanical and electronic components.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
  • Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the contract manufacturer, acting as the primary point of contact for all quality-related matters. Facilitate communication and collaboration to resolve quality issues swiftly and effectively.
• Supplier Quality:
  • Support Supplier Quality Engineering activities, including component qualification, supplier audits, and monitoring supplier quality performance.
  • Ensure incoming materials meet specifications through robust inspection plans (e.g., Gage R&R studies).
• Reporting & Metrics:
  • Generate and present quality metrics, defect trends, and analysis reports to management and cross-functional teams.
• Training and Development:
  • Provide training and guidance to contract manufacturer personnel on quality standards, inspection techniques, and best practices to foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
  • Train production and engineering staff on quality standards, procedures, and tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience as a Quality Engineer or Manufacturing Engineer in a high-tech hardware industry (e.g., sensors, optical components, automotive electronics, complex electromechanical devices).
• Proven proficiency with core quality tools: SPC, FMEA (DFMEA/PFMEA), 8D/CAPA, and Gage R&R.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 quality management systems.
• Experience in a production environment involving optics, lasers, or highly precise mechanical assemblies is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead technical problem-solving discussions across various departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certification (e.g., CQE, CSSBB).
• Experience with lidar, camera, or other high-resolution sensor technology.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., JMP, Minitab) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau).
• Experience in the scale-up from pilot production to high-volume manufacturing (HVM).
• Familiarity with environmental and reliability testing standards (e.g., shock, vibration, thermal cycling).