Senior Manufacturing QA Engineer

Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and administer quality assurance/control systems.
• Perform analysis of testing and inspection procedures to ensure adequacy and compliance.
• Use metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices.
• Carry out capability studies of plant and supplier manufacturing processes.
• Audit internal quality systems for deficiencies.
• Review requests for proposals for projects and identify concerns or exceptions based on Quality issues.
• Participate as QA representative on PLP project teams to ensure adequate Quality inspections, testing, and documentation.
• Act as PLP Quality representative in customer and third-party audits of PLP facilities.
• Establish performance metrics for PLP Quality systems, develop measurement tools, and oversee periodic reporting.
• Aid the Manager of Quality Assurance in the development, implementation, and maintenance of global standards and quality systems for PLP products.
• Define measurement methods at plants and suppliers to establish consistency of measurement.
• Develop new testing/inspection techniques, fixtures, and gauges, as required.
• Utilize physical, mechanical, and electrical testing procedures and inspection equipment to perform routine tasks in the Quality/Materials Lab.
• Interpret engineering recommendations, customer specifications, and engineering drawings for suppliers or PLP facilities.
• Conduct source inspection of suppliers.
• Conduct supplier Quality System audits.
• Work with key suppliers to implement required improvements.
• Aid engineers and plant personnel in reducing the instances of nonconformities and the quantity of non-conforming products produced in the plants.
• Use Root Cause Analysis and Corrective and Preventive Action tools to effect improvements.
• Drive reduction in components, WIP, and finished good nonconformities through improvements in process controls, better gauging methods, and product specification rationalization.
• Follow up regularly until improvements have been verified.
• Absorb suppliers who are having difficulty with meeting Quality expectations due to part non-conformance.
• Use Root Cause Analysis and Corrective and Preventive Action tools to effect improvements.
• Follow up with suppliers regularly until improvements have been verified.
• Maintain, administer, and improve the Supplier Risk Assessment and Inspection Level programs.
• Manage the Customer Feedback database and follow up with Engineering, PLP plants, suppliers, and Marketing and Sales to verify that an answer has been provided.
• Be familiar with and implement Lean techniques for continuous improvement.
• Attend technical meetings, conferences, and specialized courses consistent with your area of responsibility.
• Train personnel as needed in inspection, testing, and other techniques.
• Perform other functions as assigned or required.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in technical curriculum required, with a Quality Engineering Degree preferred.
• Minimum five years of hands-on experience in a quality assurance environment and/or a manufacturing environment, with emphasis on measurement, testing, documentation, and ISO 9001 exposure.
• ASQ Quality Engineering Certification is desired, but not required.
• Ability to use a computer and applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with MiniTab or other statistical analysis software package preferred.
• Interpersonal and communicating skills are desired.
• Capable of report formatting and technical writing.
• Must be capable of operating general metrology inspection and test equipment.
• Must be able to read blueprints.
• Must be able to travel.
• Must be available to work outside of normal working hours on infrequent occasions.
• Travel 10-20% Domestic, 5-10% International.