Quality Engineer I

About the role

Our Main Street location in Radford, VA is seeking a Quality Engineer I to drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance both internal and external product quality across assigned product lines. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to achieve key performance targets, including customer quality levels below 2,500 PPM and first pass yield greater than 92%. The successful candidate will lead and facilitate Kaizen events to improve quality, delivery, cost, and productivity performance. They will develop and maintain assembly documentation, workmanship standards, and in-process production controls that prevent defects and promote operational excellence. The role also supports training and development initiatives within the Quality team and manufacturing operations. This position champions Lean Manufacturing principles through the application of Standard Work, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Visual Management, and variation reduction techniques to drive sustainable process improvements and a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead and implement quality improvement plans, procedures and processes necessary to achieve and maintain targeted quality performance goals
• Maintain a high level of technical knowledge in the areas of quality and lean manufacturing to maximize productivity, quality, and cost efficiency
• Initiate and monitor corrective and preventative actions
• Enforce quality standards
• Support direct labor training and certification. Verify accuracy of training plans
• Provide project leadership for major quality initiatives
• Lead and drive efforts to transition temporary corrective actions to permanent corrective and preventative actions
• Use analytical techniques and tools to study production data, identify trends and define innovative solutions to challenging problems
• Support part and process qualification initiatives for supported product lines

Requirements

• Engineering Degree or a minimum of 10 years commensurate experience in an engineering related discipline required
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with all levels of customers, employees, and suppliers ranging from assembly technicians to Management

Due to federal export control laws, this position is limited to candidates who are a “U.S. Person” (U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S., or those who can qualify for a license). Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship for work authorization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AS9100 quality system
• Experience with ISO9001 quality system
• Previous quality experience is preferred
• Experience directing and interacting with production personnel and working with teams in a lean production environment
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes and methods including flow, layout, assembly, and production equipment
• Knowledge of material procurement functions such as purchasing, inventory, shipping & receiving
• Experience with CAD, FEA, and Database systems
• Experience with Oracle

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Coverage
• Spending accounts (HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA)
• Paid Time Off and Holidays