Quality Engineer

Position Summary

Quality Engineer is responsible for driving product and process quality through active engagement with manufacturing teams, structured problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives. This hands-on role is primarily floor-based, ensuring compliance with control plans, responding to quality concerns, and leading corrective/preventive action activities. The Quality Engineer serves as a key liaison between production, engineering, and customers to uphold SMI’s Quality Management System in accordance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Authorities

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead or facilitate structured root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, DMAIC, and Fishbone diagrams.
• Drive the development and implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Coordinate cross-functional investigations for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and audit findings.

Quality Assurance Oversight

• Monitor compliance with control plans, process sheets, inspection instructions, and quality alerts.
• Partner with production leads and supervisors to ensure that quality checks are executed properly and escalated when necessary.
• Review and approve inspection and test plans, work instructions, and quality criteria for production processes.

Continuous Improvement & Process Capability

• Collect and analyze quality data (e.g. scrap, rework, customer returns, SPC) to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Participate in Kaizen activities, PFMEA reviews, and process audits to enhance product quality and process reliability.
• Support implementation of process changes and validate impact on quality KPIs.

Customer & Supplier Interface

• Lead PPAP development and submission, ensuring compliance with customer-specific requirements and on-time approval.
• Own and maintain Control Plans and PFMEA, ensuring alignment with process changes and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage and respond to customer corrective actions (CARs) through customer portals, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant closure.
• Lead customer complaint investigations, driving 8D / root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Support customer quality audits and data submissions (PPAP, FAIR, ISIR) as required.
• Assist in supplier quality issues by initiating SCARs, performing incoming inspection reviews, and collaborating on resolution.
• Represent the quality department in customer or third-party audits as required.

Documentation & QMS Support

• Maintain and improve documentation in accordance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and internal procedures.
• Review and approve NCRs, CAPAs, audit reports, and quality alerts.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing evidence and participating in interviews.

Authorities

• Authority to stop production in response to quality issues or nonconformities.
• Authority to initiate and approve NCRs, SCARs, CAPAs, and quality alerts.
• Authority to approve product release, deviation requests, and rework disposition in collaboration with engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or equivalent technical field.
• Minimum 2–5 years in a Quality Engineering role in a manufacturing environment (composites or aerospace preferred).
• Proficient in problem-solving methodologies and tools (8D, DMAIC, FMEA, SPC, etc.).
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, PFMEA, and MSA required.
• Strong communication skills, with ability to lead meetings and interact with all levels of the organization.