Senior Machining Quality Engineer

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Machining Quality Engineer to join our team. The Senior Machining Quality Engineer ensures manufacturing processes and products consistently meet quality standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is an analytical problem-solver with a strong quality mindset and a passion for operational excellence.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Machining Quality Engineer (SMQE) provides expert-level quality engineering support for manufacturing operations and new product launches to ensure products and processes meet or exceed customer expectations. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining quality controls, resolving production quality issues, leading root cause and corrective action activities, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The SMQE partners with cross-functional teams to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of products, processes, and services while supporting operational and customer performance objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Maintain primary responsibility for the creation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Control Plans.
• Analyze scrap and rework data, identify trends, and drive corrective action activities.
• Lead 8D problem-solving activities related to machining-related customer zero-mileage claims and assembly/end-of-line test failures.
• Lead New Product Launch activities within the designated area to ensure engineering requirements are effectively translated into supplier and internal manufacturing processes while maintaining the required quality standards.
• Utilize and advance quality and statistical methodologies, including Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Design of Experiments (DOE), to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement projects that enhance key performance indicators (KPIs) and customer metrics.
• Review and approve engineering drawings for implementation within the designated area.
• Lead quality approval activities related to manufacturing process changes and capital equipment projects.
• Participate in non-conforming material reviews, Material Review Board (MRB) activities, defect containment efforts, and corrective action implementation.
• Facilitate Process and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities.
• Develop and maintain quality control plans and associated risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct audits and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and compliance of quality controls.
• Monitor experimental and pilot production runs to ensure quality requirements are met.
• Lead and perform process capability studies and Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) analyses.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for critical production quality issues and lead corrective action efforts.
• Understand, support, and contribute to departmental and organizational KPIs as defined within the company goal framework.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE COMPETENCIES:

• Role Fulfillment – Routine completion of all essential functions of the role.
• Technical Proficiency – Job-specific skill level, attention to detail, and overall quality of work produced.
• Safety – Dedication to our safety-first culture through incident prevention, adherence to protocols, initiative in reporting and resolving concerns, training participation, and contributions to a safe working environment.
• Dependability – Determination to show up, stay on task, and get things accomplished.
• Compliance – Consistent adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to work and communicate well with others. 
• Productivity – Volume of work completed and skill level related to time-management, efficiency, prioritization, and initiative. 
• Integrity – Commitment to ethical decision-making, including admitting to mistakes, leading by example and a general tendency to do the right thing.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Predominantly operates in an office or home office environment. However, position may need to walk frequently through shift on concrete in production areas. May be exposed to moderate heat, light dust, fumes, cold temperatures, and noise. Adequate hearing, eye, and footwear protection is required in production areas.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but provides oversight of processes and workflow.

SCHEDULE:

Depending on production area assignment, this position may work the following schedules:

• Standard Office Hours Monday through Friday

The demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

About this Job Description: The information provided above is intended to demonstrate the general nature and level of work performed by any incumbent(s) placed in this position. It is not intended to be a complete account of every task an employee may be assigned to perform. Management retains the right to add or revise this job description at any time to accommodate evolving needs of the business.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Quality Engineering or a similar role within a manufacturing environment; or a minimum of one (1) year of related experience with a Master’s degree in Engineering or a technical discipline.
• Advanced knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and engineering blueprint interpretation.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 quality management system requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with, or certification in, Six Sigma, Shainin Red X, or other structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, including Standardized Work, Continuous Improvement, 5S, and Just-in-Time (JIT) methodologies.
• Experience working within the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process.
• Strong knowledge of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple projects and responsibilities while driving process improvements and effectively utilizing available resources.
• Ability to communicate information clearly and effectively through presentations, written communications, active listening, and interpersonal interactions, while fostering an environment of open communication.
• Demonstrated customer-focused mindset with the ability to build strong relationships, understand customer needs, and develop mutually beneficial solutions for both internal and external customers.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, interpret, and evaluate complex information to identify trends, uncover root causes, and make sound business decisions.
• Ability to think strategically, align initiatives with organizational objectives, and execute plans while considering long-term business impacts and future opportunities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Close visual acuity and repetitive movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers to operate standard office equipment required. Will need to walk short distances and may occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.