JOB SUMMARYQuality Engineering Manager leads the quality engineering team in the implementation of Advanced Quality Planning (APQP) requirements. Provides strong leadership in overseeing quality assurance processes throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring compliance with industry standards while championing continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires a combination of technical expertise and leadership acumen, along with a steadfast commitment to quality excellence. Key responsibilities include guiding the development and enhancement of comprehensive business processes that support effective product development, engineering, and manufacturing. The manager will be tasked with identifying challenges, analyzing issues and opportunities, measuring processes, and driving structured changes to enhance operations, all to support our ambitious business growth objectives. This position is pivotal in fostering a culture of quality and innovation within the organization.
Essential Functions:- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing quality engineering team, promoting a culture of quality excellence and accountability
- Foster collaboration within the team and across departments to achieve quality objectives
- Oversee the implementation and execution of APQP processes in line with the AS9145 standard, ensuring quality is embedded throughout the vehicle development process
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to define quality requirements, project timelines, and deliverables
- Develop and manage comprehensive Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation to validate product quality and ensure compliance with customer specifications
- Manage team execution of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to ensure proactive identification and mitigation of potential risks in product and process design
- Create and maintain control plans to monitor critical processes and ensure product integrity throughout the manufacturing cycle
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain timelines for vehicle builds, ensuring all quality milestones are met
- Identify, analyze, and resolve quality related issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions to drive continuous improvement
- Utilize quality metrics and KPIs to measure performance and facilitate data-driven decision making
- Facilitate and participate in regular quality reviews and audits to ensure compliance with both internal standards and industry regulations
- Develop and update Documentation and Procedures across all departments in accordance with AS9100 & Customer Specific Requirements
- Lead / participate in AS9100 internal, surveillance, and registration audits
- Support and adhere to all company safety and environmental regulations & policies
- Undertake other duties as determined by the Quality Director or his/her delegate
Supervisory Responsibilities:- Manages quality engineers and other department personnel
Minimum Qualifications:Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as demonstrated through experience, training and/or testing)- Extensive experience in quality engineering with a focus on APQP processes as per AS9145
- Solid understanding of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and industry standards, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors
- Knowledge and experience working with ISO 9001 and AS9100 Standards
- Knowledge of Systems based design and related Standards/Processes
- Solid understanding of Continuous Improvement with proven track record of implementation
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to internal and external customers
- Familiarity of the US DoD process and procedures for vehicle development and acquisition.
- Practical "hands on" experience with the ability to operate independently
- Must promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across the organization and its external service providers. Must be tactful, diplomatic, and work with integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
- Customer Oriented: Must display exceptional listening and analytical skills in order to understand customer concerns and needs with the ability to respond promptly and effectively to those needs.
- High level of self-motivation and standards with the ability to multi-task; balancing "analysis" with "doing". Must be adaptable and able to prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Work on own initiative.
- Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies including 8D, Six Sigma, SPC, MSA, and root cause analysis techniques
- Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS) software and data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP) preferred
Education:- Bachelors in Engineering, Quality or Business Administration
Experience:- 10 or more years of relevant manufacturing experience
- 10 or more years of leadership / supervisory / managerial experience
- Experience of working in a multi-national, multi-organizational and corporate environment
- Experience with quality, engineering and supply chain management in a highly regulated industry
Background Prerequisites:- Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks and controlled substance testing.
- All employment at American Rheinmetall is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance if the position requires it.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience with bid capture, contract negotiations and delivery planning desired
- Ability to speak German desired
Working Conditions and Physical DemandsWith or without reasonable accommodation requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:
- For physical requirements, indicate Rarely, Occasionally, Frequently, or Continuously where possible
- Rarely: exists, but not on a regular basis
- Occasionally:
- Frequently: >34% but less than 66% of the time (2.72 - 5.28 hrs)
- Continuously: 67-100% of the time (5.36 - 8 hrs)
- Highly repetitive: repeating the same motion every few seconds with little or no variation for >2 hrs total/day)
- Hazards, tasks, PPE, ergonomic concerns, travel requirements, workspace (close proximity to others)
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
