
Sr Quality Engineer
- Kiel, WI
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Develop, implement, and maintain robust quality management systems
- Lead the development and revision of quality procedures, work instructions, and quality plans.
- Conduct internal and external audits to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Support and participate in management reviews of the quality system.
- Lead and participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Quality (DFQ) reviews.
- Develop and implement quality control plans, inspection methods, and test procedures for new and existing products.
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for product non-conformances, customer complaints, and audit findings.
- Utilize statistical process control (SPC), capability studies, and other statistical tools to monitor and improve process performance.
- Oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities.
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and other cross-functional teams to ensure quality at all stages.
- Participate in supplier selection and qualification processes.
- Conduct supplier audits and assessments to ensure compliance with quality requirements.
- Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions for supplier quality issues.
- Develop and implement supplier quality agreements.
- Lead and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, FMEA, etc.
- Mentor and train junior quality engineers and other team members on quality tools and methodologies.
- Drive a culture of quality awareness and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
- Analyze quality data and trends to identify areas for improvement and implement proactive solutions.
- Identify and assess quality risks throughout the product lifecycle.
- Develop and implement mitigation strategies to address identified risks.
- Participate in risk management activities (e.g., FMEA, Control Plans).
- Prepare and present quality reports, metrics, and analyses to management.
- Maintain accurate and thorough quality records.
- Ensure proper documentation of all quality-related activities.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or a related technical field. Master's degree preferred.
- 5-8 years of progressive experience in a Quality Engineering role.
- Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies:
- Root Cause Analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram)
- Statistical Process Control (SPC), Process Capability Studies (Cp, Cpk)
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Control Plans
- Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) / First Article Inspection (FAI)
- Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles (Green Belt or Black Belt certification highly desirable).
- Experience with auditing techniques and standards.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).
- Work environment is one of a professional office environment connected to a manufacturing facility.
- This role would require the ability to sit for extended periods of time and work on a PC.
- There would be times where the person would need to be able to walk out on a manufacturing floor and would need to wear appropriate personal protective
- equipment as well as navigate possible uneven surfaces.
- Lifting/carrying of up to 20 pounds occasionally, bending, squatting, twisting rarely.
- The position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).
- Very limited exposure to equipment, machinery Powered Industrial Vehicle traffic and some chemicals.