Quality Engineer

Position Summary:

The Quality Engineer performs a variety of quality-related functions in support of regulatory, customer, and company requirements/objectives. In collaboration with the Quality Assurance Manager and the quality team, they will coordinate, develop, monitor, and maintain all necessary procedures, controls, and/or programs to assure compliance with regulatory, customer and company requirements. This position will also support the functions of the Quality Assurance Department to meet the requirements of the relevant ISO 9001:2015 standards based on the quality objectives established by Top Management.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead or perform product quality audits to assure compliance with customer, drawing, internal, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead or perform system audits in support of the Quality Management System.
• Provides liaison activities with customers and suppliers on all quality issues.
• Perform review of customer quality documents.
• Support operations to ensure that products and processes comply with the relevant requirements of the quality management system.
• Analyze product and process failures to ensure effective root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions for customers.
• Review trend analyses related to field returns, MRBs, supplier defects and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Participate or lead root cause corrective action investigations and implementation to address internal, external, customer and/or supplier issues to improve overall product and process quality.
• Participate in Engineering and Operations to ensure transfer to Production of new products are in accordance with approved data.
• Responsible for leading and/or participating in continual improvement activities to enhance the quality system.
• Meets required ISO 9001:2015 standards and necessary training based on the relevant Quality Objectives.

Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Written Communication – Read and interpret written information effectively, write clearly and concisely, adapt writing style for different audiences.
• Verbal Communication – Give focused attention to what others are saying, take time to understand what and respond when appropriate without interrupting, speak clearly and effectively express ideas and opinions, adapt and react professionally in both positive and negative situations.
• Teamwork & Collaboration – Balance team and individual responsibilities, consider others’ views objectively and with openness to changing your own, give and encourage feedback, contribute to a positive team dynamic, prioritize team success over personal interests, work effectively across departments toward company goals.
• Professionalism – Interact with others in a considerate manner, follow through on commitments, react well under pressure and preserve confidentiality, control emotions, and accept responsibility, maintain focus on solutions and treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. 
• Motivation & Initiative – Demonstrate persistence and ability to adapt to changes in daily workflow and overcome obstacles, ask for and offer help when needed, work independently when required, volunteer readily and look for ways to improve and create successful outcomes, positively contribute to overall work environment. 
• Respect & Integrity – Treat people with respect, work ethically and with honesty and integrity, inspire the trust of others, demonstrate appreciation and sensitivity for cultural differences, help promote inclusion and understanding of the value of diversity, embrace differences and support a harassment-free environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Technology, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related technical field.
• 5+ years’ equivalent experience in a Quality Engineering, Quality Assurance, or Quality Control role, or, 3+ years’ equivalent experience with a Graduate degree.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems (QMS).
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) methodologies.
• Proficiency in quality tools and techniques (e.g., SPC, FMEA, control plans, Pareto analysis, 8D).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Experience conducting internal audits and supporting external customer or regulatory audits.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and basic data analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.
• Quality certification such as CQE, CQA, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Experience in a regulated industry (medical devices, aerospace, automotive, defense, pharmaceutical).
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).
• Familiarity with risk management standards (e.g., ISO 14971).
• Hands-on experience with process validation, PPAP, APQP, or production launch support.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Travel: Negligible.

Physical Demands: Frequently required to sit, speak, hear, see, and perform repetitive motion (data entry). Occasionally required to lift or carry (10 lb. minimum). Reasonable accommodations will be made available if applicable.

Compensation: In compliance with Pay Transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New York State is $90,000 - $100,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer may vary based on various factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Vuzix is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, interns, and applicants for employment. Consistent with this commitment, our policy is to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination.