Quality Engineer

Title: Quality Engineer

Location: Stilwell, Oklahoma

Position Overview: As a Quality Engineer, you will play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of our aftermarket filter cartridges and capital equipment filtration systems. This position demands a proactive approach to continuous improvement, supply chain management, and adherence to ISO 9001:2015 standards. You will lead initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving production efficiency, and ensuring compliance with military and industry-specific quality requirements. Your responsibilities will also include driving data-driven decision-making processes using methodologies such as DMAIC and Statistical Process Control (SPC).

Key Responsibilities:

• Quality Control: Utilize DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) to identify, analyze, and rectify issues in both aftermarket and capital equipment production. Apply SPC (Statistical Process Control) to monitor and control production processes, reducing variability and improving consistency in product quality. Conduct FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) to anticipate potential failures and proactively address risk factors in manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System: Own and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management System, ensuring all aspects of the business’s processes meet regulatory and customer standards. Lead audits for certification and customer surveillance as required.
• Supplier Quality Management: Ensure external suppliers maintain high-quality standards through audits and quality control plans. Oversee receiving quality inspections and manage supplier corrective actions as necessary.
• Customer Satisfaction: Work closely with customer service and sales teams to address customer rejections, complaints and feedback, ensuring timely resolution of quality issues and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Performance Metrics and Reporting: Track and analyze key quality performance metrics, such as First Pass Yield (FPY), Defective Parts Per Million (DPPM) and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), identify trends and provide regular reports.
• Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA): Lead investigations into non-conformance issues, using structured problem solving techniques such as 8D and 5 Whys to identify root causes and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead Kaizen events and other continuous improvement efforts, driving process improvements that focus on waste reduction, productivity increases, and overall quality enhancement across manufacturing and transactional processes.
• Training and Development: Train and mentor staff on quality management practices, tools, and techniques, fostering a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Military Contract Quality Interpretation: Translate complex military contract requirements into actionable quality control processes, ensuring all products meet stringent specifications.

Must have:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management, Engineering or a related field. Advanced degree or certifications (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean) preferred.

Experience: Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineering/Management experience within a manufacturing environment. Experience in filtration, industrial and military markets preferred.

Skills: Expertise in DMAIC, SPC, FMEA, and other quality management tools and methodologies. Proven experience in implementing and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 certification. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong understanding of statistical analysis methodologies/software. Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and suppliers. Experience in interpreting and implementing military contract quality requirements is a plus.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate:

• They are a proactive leader who thrives in a manufacturing environment focused on both high-volume aftermarket products and complex capital equipment systems. They should possess a deep understanding of quality management systems, particularly ISO 9001:2015, and be experienced in applying advanced quality tools like DMAIC, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Be analytical and Data-Driven they are adept at using statistical tools to monitor production processes, identify trends, and initiate corrective actions. With strong problem-solving skills, they can lead root cause analysis efforts, utilizing methodologies like 8D and 5 Whys to resolve issues swiftly and effectively.
• Experienced in Continuous Improvement: A commitment to continuous improvement is essential. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience leading Kaizen events and other Lean manufacturing initiatives aimed at reducing waste, improving productivity, and enhancing product quality.
• Strong Communication and Leadership Skills: This role involves cross-functional collaboration, requiring the ability to work with production teams, engineers, and external suppliers. The candidate will need to communicate clearly, both in guiding their team of Quality Controllers and Inspectors and in presenting findings and recommendations to senior management.
• Detail-Oriented with Military and Industry Compliance Knowledge: The ideal candidate will have experience interpreting and implementing complex quality requirements, particularly from military contracts. They must demonstrate a keen attention to detail, ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory standards in demanding sectors like aviation, power generation, and defence.
• Proficient with Quality Tools and Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) would be highly beneficial. They should be proficient with statistical software and quality management platforms, showing an ability to leverage these tools to drive performance improvements