Quality Process Engineer

Summary

Under the direction Product DevelopmentManager, the Process Engineer is a manufacturing-focused quality and process engineer embedded in composite pressure vessel production. The primary responsibility of this role is reducing scrap and improving First Pass Yield (FPY) through hands-on production floor engagement, process improvement, and tooling and fixture solutions. This position works closely within the manufacturing environment to stabilize processes, eliminate sources of variation, and drive sustainable quality improvements while ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions of the Job

Scrap Reduction, FPY Improvement & Production Floor Support:
- Serve as a hands-on manufacturing/process engineer with primary ownership of scrap reduction and FPY improvement across composite manufacturing operations.
- Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor supporting filament winding, resin application, curing, machining, assembly, and testing.
- Identify dominant scrap drivers, yield losses, and process failures impacting product quality and manufacturing stability.
- Lead real-time troubleshooting of production issues that result in defects, rework, or process instability.
- Implement immediate containment actions and long-term corrective improvements embedded into daily operations.

Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Fixture & Tooling Support:
- Provide hands-on manufacturing and process engineering support to improve process stability, repeatability, and yield.
- Evaluate composite manufacturing processes to identify sources of variation, inefficiency, and quality risk.
- Design, specify, and support fixtures, gauges, and production tooling to improve process control and defect prevention.
- Verify tooling and fixtures are capable, validated, and suitable for production use prior to release.

Quality Compliance, Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action:
- Ensure manufacturing processes comply with ISO 9001, applicable AS standards, customer requirements, and internal quality procedures.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for scrap, rework, nonconformances, and FPY losses.
- Ensure corrective actions are effective, sustainable, and fully integrated into manufacturing processes and work instructions.
- Support internal and external audits through disciplined process control, accurate documentation, and production-level evidence.

Job Skills and Requirements

- Demonstrated success reducing scrap and improving First Pass Yield in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong hands-on experience supporting production operations in a quality or process engineering role.
- Experience designing, verifying, or supporting fixtures, gauges, and production tooling.
- Working knowledge of composite manufacturing processes and pressure vessel production preferred.
- Strong root cause analysis and corrective action skills.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS standards and their practical application in manufacturing.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Education/Training Requirements