Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Reports to: Head of Technical Operations

Mission of the Role:

The Quality Engineer ensures that manufactured products meet all internal standards and external regulatory requirements. This role focuses on optimising manufacturing processes, preventing defects, conducting root-cause analysis, and driving continuous improvement on the production floor

Problem Solving

Lead problem solving within all manufacturing areas to improve item yields & reduce the cost of poor quality. Monitor, track and report on COPQ and Yield, initiating 8Ds where appropriate. Implement robust Corrective and Preventive Actions to eliminate recurring issues.

Manage both internal and external quality issues with suppliers, production teams and customers. Manage and lead daily reject reviews to help drive problem containment and correction.

Advanced Product Quality Planning

Follow the Advanced Product Quality Planning framework to help coordinate the manufacturing launch of new and revised products including establishing & managing FMEA’s, Control Plans, introduction plans, goals, training of team members in inspection techniques and methods and evaluating results ensuring all manufacturing processes exhibit consistent and aligned compliance to all agreed formats. Understand process and measurement capability (Gauge R&R) and advise of issues when necessary. This will include the maintenance and management of the calibration system for all inspection devices.

Assess and manage risks using the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) framework ensuring that improvement plans are created, and process improvements implemented. Ensure critical and Key characteristics are known and monitored via process auditing at the different stages of new product introduction. Ensure final product quality through performing first article inspection reports.

Promote and produce templates for problem solving opportunities with the production technicians, sharing continuous Improvement knowledge, skills and techniques to continually increase the levels of CI understanding with the production technicians.

Continuous Improvement

Lead and participate in CI projects, and in conjunction with project team members, clearly communicate project outcomes so that the production technicians can implement and sustain process and operational changes.

Attend each CI workshop as either facilitator or team member; taking ownership of all team inputs as required. Assist with the implementation of all CI actions by area, communicating results, allocating and requesting resources, or determining further expectations. Support the team members with consistent, clear and engaging communication of project outcomes and supply consistency of audit systems to maintain results.

Ensure lessons learned from all aspects of the role are effectively communicated to the relevant areas of the business to ensure companywide process improvements are known, understood, and acted upon. For this role there will be a close working relationship with the Engineering and Manufacturing Departments as well as acting as both customer and supplier liaison for quality related issues

Quality Systems

Work closely with the Quality Systems Engineer to audit and improve business and production processes. Have a deep knowledge of ISO 9001 (or AS9100) as well as industry specific standards.

The responsibilities listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks to be performed. Additional duties are likely to be required as directed by the Employee’s Manager.

Outcomes and Objectives for the Role

Objective

< 6 Months

Familiarisation with products & value streams, people, and processes

Familiarisation with APQP Documentation for Windows, Lenses and Filters Value Streams

Monitor Yield and COPQ and make recommendations for 8D projects

> 1 Year

Own and Maintain APQP Documentation for either Windows or Lenses Value Streams. Implement robust inspection gates based on known risks and process capability

Monitor and improve process performance in respect of quality compliance >95% Yield and <2% COPQ cost

(Performance expectations adjust annually)

Lead problemsolving and CI projects for your allocated Value Stream

Desired Key Competencies and Skill

An Engineering Degree in a STEM subject

Preferred: Quality, Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering

Proven Knowledge of New Product Introduction processes

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)

Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) for Risk Management

Control Plans

Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

First Article Inspection Reports

Strong Problem-solving skills using the 8D Methodology (or Similar)

Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T specifications

Competent in Project Management

Proven Knowledge of Lean practices

Knowledge and understanding of ISO 9001

Ability to audit business and production processes

Assist and/or lead training of quality standards and expectations to production staff

Be self-driven to learn new skills and take on responsibilities

Competent in the use of computer systems

Essential: Microsoft Office

Paint a compelling picture of the vision and strategy to motivate others into action

The ability to lead and motivate to get the most from your team and peers

Highly analytical mindset with the ability to visualise complex data sets

Clear technical writing skills for reporting and confident presentation skills when speaking to stakeholders or customers

Ability to influence shop floor operators, engineering teams, and executive management without direct authority

Keep up with current and developing manufacturing and engineering trends that concern product quality

Occasional Travel to suppliers and customers will be required in this role