Sr Quality Technician

Job Summary

This position will lead, execute, and manage inspection of receiving/incoming raw materials, work-in-process and finished components, sub-assemblies and finished assembly/parts to ensure compliance and conformance to engineering specifications, blueprint dimensions, material and quality standards. Analyze inspection results and assist in solving supplier and/or internal quality problems, monitor production parts, prepare inspection plans and instructions, select sampling plan applications, prepare procedures, train quality inspectors, perform audits, and apply fundamental statistical methods for process control. Perform incoming raw material Receiving Inspection, First Article Inspection (FAI), supplier PPAP sample(s) inspection and approval, gage repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) studies, process capability studies as necessary and prepare detailed dimensional layout inspection reports. This position is also responsible for providing support in sorting, inspection, containment, and segregation of non-conforming material while assisting problem containment at the source and speed to resolution. Interpret engineering drawings, tolerances and apply requirements in inspection activities, select and use measurement gages to verify quality characteristics, and evaluate results to determine conformance to specifications. Ability to evaluate the accuracy, precision, repeatability, and reproducibility of measurement instruments while determining the cause of any measurement system errors. Effectively collaborate and communicate with cross-functional areas in a dynamic fast-paced team environment to achieve superior project goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for adherence to the Cardinal Rules of Safety.
• Lead and execute metrology tasks using IM&TE (inspection, measurement & test equipment) including both variable and attribute gages such as digital measurement instruments, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), portable CMMs i.e. Faro or Romer arm, handheld 3D scanner and dimensional probing system, go/no go, functional gages as applicable.
• Lead efforts to assist Quality Engineering with inspection and measurement activities on the production floor to support problem identification, containment, and resolution.
• Interpret component blueprints/drawings and apply requirements in FAI and PPAP sample inspection activities using measurement gages/instruments to verify dimensions, features, characteristics while interpret, evaluate measurement results to determine conformance to specifications.
• Lead tasks related to Zero Acceptance number sampling plans, continuous and/or lot-by-lot sampling plans while perform relevant frequency of inspections, random part sampling audits and support First Piece Inspection (FPI), as necessary.
• Support tasks related to inspection and measurement fixture/gage design and fabrication as necessary.
• Provide adequate support to operations in necessary sorting, inspection, containment, and segregation of non-conforming material from production inventory.
• Serve as a facilitator in providing employee training and guidance in metrology, application of IM&TE, programmable measuring systems, software, gage R&R and calibration procedures.
• Facilitate driving problem containment at the source working closely with internal and external stakeholders including quality, manufacturing, design, leads/supervisors/operators, and supply chain.
• Utilize applicable statistical data recording system/software to organize inspection and measurement results with statistics facilitating analysis by Quality Engineering and/or other team members.
• Perform gage R&R studies on variable and/or attribute gages as applicable in support of measurement system analysis and use the same data including gage usage history to establish calibration intervals.
• Actively document and update actions on quality issues with supporting documentation and feedback.
• Support and actively participate in Quality Management System (QMS) audit activities as and when required.
• Identify, evaluate, and interpret calibration results reports, certificates, test reports, reports of non-conforming calibration, and support assessment of results in response to out-of-calibration conditions.
• Ensure effective tracking of gage calibration records including numerical results, gage design records in support of identification and traceability, accurate records management, and document control.
• Administer and utilize appropriate precision measurement system gages, instruments, software and maintain inspection records while continuously strive to enhance contemporary systems, tools and advance personal expertise/proficiency in its application.
• Seeks feedback and self-assessment to identify stakeholder needs to determine areas of improvement and seeks support in identifying opportunities to professionally grow and enable career advancement.

Qualifications

• Education:
  
  
  
  • HS Diploma required, Associate's degree or higher level education from technical school preferred with minimum 10+ years work experience in fabrication, welding, sheet metal, manufacturing, and/or assembly environment.
  
  
  
  
• Licenses/Certifications:
  
  
  
  • Professional certifications i.e. ASQ certifications such as CQT, CCT, CQI, Six Sigma highly desired, ISO 9001 or IATF Internal Auditor certification preferred.
  
  
  
  
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  
  
  
  • Demonstrated understanding, knowledge and experience in metrology, measurement systems, scanning technologies, receiving and in-process quality inspection and control, quality systems and standards, use and application of IM&TE, and calibration systems in a manufacturing and/or assembly environment.
  • Experience in ISO 9001, IATF 16949 requirements and quality systems auditing.
  • Ability to lead, execute and influence stakeholders on decisions related to measurement systems analysis, results, capabilities, inspection and measurement data of product quality characteristics, statistical capability studies, gage calibration standards, procedures and methods without direct authority.
  • Utilizes inspection and measurement concepts as an audit tool to monitor quality, certify conformance to engineering specifications, and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Demonstrates skills to facilitate employee training in the areas of metrology and application of foundational, fundamental and advanced inspection and measurement equipment/gages.
  
  
  
  
• Core Competencies:
  
  
  
  • Knowledge of industry metrology practices, regulations, calibration processes for IM&TE.
  • Knowledge of industry standards/guides, accreditation/registration boards in relation to calibration.
  • Proven experience with measurement system analysis (MSA) to interpret/evaluate gage R&R studies.
  • Strong knowledge and experience in the application of inspection and measurement gages/tools including portable CMM for 3D metrology i.e. Romer or Faro arm, handheld 3D scanners, dimensional probing, verification of variable and/or attribute quality data.
  • Demonstrated problem solving aptitude, strong foundation and knowledge in FAI, ISIR, and blueprint reading with experience in the interpretation of GD&T scheme on drawings.
  • Experience with CAD software, SolidWorks experience preferred.
  • Strong understanding of fundamental concepts in applied mathematics, statistics, and Zero Acceptance number sampling plans.
  • Prior experience and knowledge in the use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) a plus.
  • Detailed part dimensional layout with fixture design experience a plus.
  • Prior experience in product and process audit in an assembly / manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to simplify, clarify and intensify execution of actions with the goal of getting things done inside established milestones/timelines.
  • Persistent and tenacious in follow up and follow through to track, monitor and close out issues taking all to the finish line.
  • Move with a high sense of urgency, bias for action, drive for results, possess analytical and critical reasoning/thinking skills.
  • Self-motivated, confident, energetic, proactive, anticipatory and forward thinking.
  • Well organized, self-starter and a team player both as a member and leader.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments.
  • Good oral and written communication skills, interpersonal behavioral skills.
  • Proficient in computer skills including systems, software, and other database applications.