Lead Quality Engineer presso Coherent Corp.

The Lead Quality Engineer is a skilled professional who, with limited supervision from the Quality Assurance Manager, applies advanced principles of product and service quality evaluation and control. This role leverages a diverse body of knowledge and technologies, including but not limited to Probability, Statistical Quality Control, Design of Experiments, Metrology, Inspection and Test, Quality System Audits, Human Factors and Motivation, and Quality Information Systems, to ensure excellence in processes and deliverables.  

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The Lead Quality Engineer has the responsibility for the action required to:

• Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with development and operation of Quality Systems
• Review proposed contracts, products and processes to avoid or eliminate unnecessary quality difficulties.
• Plan the quality measurements and controls on materials, processes, and product that provides adequate control of quality at minimum quality related costs.
• Determine that manufacturing processes have sufficient capability to meet quality requirements.
• Analyze quality information and feedback analyses and recommendations for adjustment to product design, manufacturing processes, equipment, and the quality system.
• Inspection of optical components and hardware
• Provide leadership in the application of statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality practices, workmanship and process problems.
• On behalf of the Quality Assurance Manager, carry out essential steps in establishing and maintaining the company quality system.

Quality Planning - 40%

• Recommends Quality objectives and goals in line with company Thrusts and Initiatives.
• Works with Quality Management, Marketing, Engineering and Customers in establishing specific quality requirements on individual products based upon customer requirements.
• Reviews proposed and new contracts as well as new designs for manufacturing quality ability.
• Able to create AS9100 FAI’s
• Plans quality measurements and controls sufficient to provide adequate control of quality at minimum quality related costs.
• Ensures QA has adequate metrology to support quality requirements of new processes.
• Participates in establishing and defining quality, performance and workmanship standards that cover such items as cosmetic appearance, surface characteristics, color, noise, and vibration as well as company standards that will be followed in the absence of customer engineering specifications, e.g., electronics workmanship, scratch/dig requirements, cleaning and handling of optics. 
• Develops, applies, revises and maintains Quality Standards for processing materials into partially finished or complete products.
• Assists Quality Management in determining and establishing the required quality procedures for controlling product quality. This planning includes the relative importance of quality characteristics and required quality levels; points in the flow for quality measurements to be made; methods and procedures for quality measurements by operators, inspectors, testers, and auditors; applicable Statistical Quality Control techniques; Quality Information feedback; required quality measurement and control equipment; and other pertinent quality procedures. 
• Assures incorporation of applicable quality measurements into the manufacturing process and documentation. 
• Provides Management with cost estimates and time schedules pertaining to the quality controls. 
• Periodically reviews quality planning to assure continued adequacy and effectiveness.
• Defines and communicates quality requirements to Suppliers through Purchasing documents.
• Provides management with cost estimates for quality-related labor and equipment.
• Works with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to incorporate, where possible, the quality measurement and control devices with the production equipment to provide optimum mechanization and automation through integrated analysis and feedback of quality data.

Promotes Continuous Improvement and Provides Customer Service - 30%

• Analyzes quality information and recommends improvements that increase product and process uniformity, reliability and improve quality characteristics to reduce field failures and complaints. 
• Reviews product specifications and makes changes as necessary to assure a consistent product that meets or exceeds customer requirements.
• Maintains awareness of new or better technologies for product metrology and evaluation.
• Appraises continuing effectiveness of the quality system for quality levels, nature of production quality problems, customer complaints and economical operations.
• Diagnoses chronic manufacturing quality problems. Identifies root causes, recommends and implements improvements and corrective/preventive actions.
• Determines which product and process quality characteristics require process capability studies.
• Fosters a quality-mindset throughout the company and in suppliers of purchased materials.
• Analyzes, identifies basic causes, and feeds back analyses and recommendations regarding customer complaints.  Participates with others in instigating corrective action. Follows-up and reports on corrective action progress to Quality Management.
• Performs failure analyses (FMEA), as needed, to reduce rejects and production problems.
• Acts as a primary interface with Government representatives (DCMAO) and customer source inspection personnel.  Coordinates government and customer source inspections and Quality system surveys.
• Maintains a favorable technical image for the Laser Power Corporation Quality Engineering group to the customers.
• Resolves issues with customers on warranty returns in a timely manner.

Provides Support to Quality Control, Sales, Engineering and Operations - 20%

• Reviews prints and quotes for QA requirements as necessary in a timely manner.
• Provides technical assistance to other departments.
• Maintains cognizance of customer and internal Engineering changes and procedural changes to assure accurate and up-to-date documentation is available to appropriate individuals at all times.
• Discusses quality issues and specifications with customer source and quality representatives as necessary.
• Provides leadership in the application of statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality practices, workmanship and process problems.
• Provides Production and Inspection areas all necessary interpretations of the quality requirements for inspection: their use, operation, and intent.
• Visits key material blanks and component suppliers, as needed, to maintain a timely supply of quality products.
• Initiates and reviews Receiving Inspection and Test Records (RITR’s).
• Writes Quality Assurance Instructions as required.
• Develops and implements quality orientation programs for all personnel to ensure understanding of quality objectives, programs, plans, and techniques. 
• Provides quality training programs for personnel in Production operations as well as other areas. Recommends and documents incoming inspection methods, in-process and final testing methods.

Nonconforming Material Control - 10%

• Chairs the Material Review Board.  Maintains segregation of nonconforming material.
• Processes Deviation Requests.  Coordinates with Customers, Program Management and Sales to ensure that all products are acceptable before shipment.
• Processes Quality Improvement Requests, supplier deviation requests and waivers.
• Investigates nonconforming materials, components, and product for causes.
• Works closely with Quality Management, Production Control, Manufacturing, Engineering and Assembly for prompt and economic disposition and correction of the causes of nonconformities. 
• Processes and codes NCMR's with applicable defect, cause and corrective action codes. Evaluates history for trends, etc.

Education & Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in one or more branches of Quality Assurance
• BS/MS in Quality Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, the Basic Sciences or equivalent degree.

Skills

• Strong skills in inspection, writing, interpersonal communications
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Statistical Methods
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with challenging customers and suppliers
• Understanding Mil-Specs, ANSI, ISO etc
• CMM Experience
• Skilled with interferometers, spectrophotometers, calipers, micrometers, Coordinate Measurement Machines, lasers and electronic test equipment
• American Society for Quality certification as a Quality Engineer preferred

Working Conditions

• Lab and Office Environment

Physical Requirements

• Standing. Particularly for sustained periods of time. 25% of the time.
• Walk. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Lifting. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. No more than 10 to 15 pounds.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."

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