OVERVIEW: 

We are looking for a Quality Engineer to join our team at the Bayport, MN facility.  In this role you will develop, implement, and support all aspects of our quality system and processes for the assigned value stream.  Develop standardized processes, drive continuous improvement, improve customer satisfaction, reduce waste, increase efficiency, audit, measure and monitor our production processes ensuring product conformance to specification.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The development of quality systems, programs, training tools, documents, and standard operating procedures for critical to quality production processes ensuring consistent manufacturability of our custom products.
• Responsible for the preparation and execution of quality control plans, including the review of specifications, tolerances, capabilities and preparation of necessary supporting documentation and justification
• Drive corrective action through root cause identification, structured problem solving and holding the gains on improvements.  Perform root cause analysis to find sources of variation and process problems and use DMAIC tools to resolve them
• Responsible to assist in containment activities when reactive issues arise and ensure all customer issues (CAPA’s, etc.) are addressed, filed, and documented in a timely manner
• Use Statistical Process Control to identify out-of-control conditions and define control plans to reduce process variation
• Support in the resolution of customer complaints

• Participates in continuous improvement projects aligned to lean manufacturing principles aimed at built-in quality, in-process defect prevention, detection tools and reinforcement of next operator as customer mentality.

• Ensure all stages of Product Lifecycle Management by tracking impact through all levels process trials/changes (First Article, PPAP, Production trials) and effectively communicate results
• Use participative team approach to problem solving and root cause analysis with Employees, Supervisors, Maintenance, Value Stream Managers, Materials Management, RD&I and peers.
• Evaluate internal and supplier process/parts for non-conformances, issue corrective action (5-Why, CAPA, PDCA) documentation and evaluate responses root cause and countermeasures for effectiveness.
• Collaborate with delivery partners to determine appropriate projects of focus, using available data from observation, queries, process data, and working partner input.
• Assist in the development and verification of new test standards and equipment to meet the changing and growing customer requirements
• Develop gauges and other tools for assessing conformance of manufactured parts to engineering specifications
• Interface with Product Design, Product Engineering, and other business partners on the design for manufacturability, process capability and production builds of new product or product revisions

QUALIFICATION AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• BS degree in Engineering or BA in natural science such as Chemistry or Physics
• Knowledge of quality programs, SPC, process capability and lean manufacturing principles

• Strong understanding of DMAIC tools; when to apply them, interpretation of results and application for effective solutions (process map, process capability, C&E matrix, fishbone diagram, FMEA, MSA, DOE, control plan) drive improvement activity.
• Demonstrates self-driven personal growth and development

• Able to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and standards
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to present and articulate quality programs, continuous improvement methodologies and problem-solving techniques in a clear, concise, and logical manner
• Ability to gather and analyze data through statistical techniques: perform and analyze process capability studies

• Build cooperative relationships across the organization.  Interface with Business Partner groups responsible for our processes and or methodologies. 
• Identify projects that will target the reduction of process variation, containment of supplier defects and elimination of non-standard work to drive continuous improvement. 
• Monitor product and process statistical trends for changes and lead/drive continuous improvement activities associated with improved customer satisfaction, waste reduction and elimination of process variation.
• Understand and effectively balance daily workload between tactical and strategic projects

• Experience implementing process control charting
• Usage of computer software tools, such as Word, Excel Powerpoint or Minitab, to analyze data to detect trends and abnormalities
• Good organization, prioritization, and project management skills