The Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) leads quality initiatives for new parts, new processes, and New Product Introductions (NPI) across U.S.-based refrigeration manufacturing sites. This role is responsible for ensuring new equipment, processes, and product changes are launched successfully and transitioned to the plant with sustainable, long-term ownership.

The AQE serves as a key technical resource, applying strong engineering, manufacturing quality, and refrigeration assembly knowledge to solve complex problems independently. This position requires a highly data-driven individual who uses analytical insights to make sound decisions, drive process capability, and improve overall manufacturing quality.

This role primarily supports plant operations in Decatur, Alabama, with additional support for sites in Louisville, Kentucky and Selmer, Tennessee. The position may be based in either Alabama or Kentucky.
Position
Advanced Quality Engineer- Dish
Location
USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

New Product Introductions:

· Own and lead all new equipment qualification activities within the assigned area of responsibility.
· Serve as the process quality expert for assigned equipment, parts, and manufacturing processes.
· Travel to supplier and manufacturing sites for planning meetings, equipment runoffs, and significant production trials.
· Review equipment qualification results and secure leadership approval prior to equipment shipment from suppliers.
· Develop and execute robust qualification plans for new equipment in partnership with Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) and equipment suppliers.
· Lead gage development for production, including specification, design review, cross-functional communication, and final buyoff.
· Facilitate gage kickoff meetings with cross-functional stakeholders, including AME, plant quality engineers, and design engineers.
· Use CMM, 3D scanning, hand gages, and other metrology tools to measure, analyze, and validate parts.
· Lead dimensional analysis reviews for new equipment and build alignment with design engineering and leadership on corrective actions and next steps.
· Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new parts, products, and processes that are sustainable and fully supported after launch.
· Act as a liaison between product design and manufacturing to ensure issues are addressed early and launches occur with minimal disruption.
· Drive Cost of Quality (COQ) improvements, including scrap reduction, yield improvement, concessions, damage reduction, and service call prevention.
· Provide technical leadership in the investigation, development, procurement, and implementation of manufacturing equipment and processes.
· Lead cross-functional PFMEA activities to identify risks associated with new parts and process changes and ensure mitigation actions are implemented before launch.
· Partner with team leaders to develop job instructions, define critical process requirements, and establish standard work and Manufacturing Control Instructions (MCIs).
· Execute drive, strip, and torque studies on new joints to validate torque capability and process robustness.
· Own Quality Management System (QMS) documentation for implemented changes, including Manufacturing Control Plans (MCPs), forms, and MCIs, ensuring compliance with applicable ISO standards.
· Qualify in-house equipment with minimal direction and ensure readiness for production use.
· Interpret GEA technical drawings, including MBD, GD&T, and linear dimensions, and ensure quality plans align with drawing requirements.
· Perform part scanning, CMM analysis, and caliper measurements as needed; additional CMM technician support may be available for broader measurement collection.

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or another related field

• 3+ years of experience in quality engineering or similar capacity, preferably in the appliance industry. 

• Leadership and effective communication experience in the definition, design, implementation and troubleshooting of manufacturing processes.
• Self-starter and influencer – metric driven and willing to work with cross-functional teams and hourly workforce.
• Excellent project tracking and detailed planning skills required.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Good communicator – data driven, makes decisions based on the data.
• Experience interpreting data to solve manufacturing problems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate of a GE Appliances development program (SCDP, AEDP, or similar) strongly preferred
• Demonstrated leadership and effective communication skills in the definition, design, implementation, and troubleshooting of manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with GE Appliances refrigeration operations, including DPO, MRO, or AP5
• Experience using, programming, and interpreting CMM, 3D scanning, and other metrology systems
• Strong background in Lean process improvement within high-volume manufacturing environments
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification; proficiency with Minitab preferred
• Experience with metrology and measurement systems, including PolyWorks

Working Conditions:

• Up to 25% of domestic and international travel may be required to support supplier equipment runoffs
• Work is performed in a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses and hearing protection, is required
• Frequent walking throughout the manufacturing plant is required
• This role is primarily first shift; however, off-shift and weekend support may be required