About the Role
The Senior Advanced Operations Engineer - Manufacturing & Quality is responsible for driving quality and operational excellence throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept through production launch and continuous improvement. This role combines elements of Advanced Operations Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality Engineering, serving as the bridge between product development and production readiness.
As a key member of cross-functional development teams, this role partners with Product Development, Design and Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Supplier Quality, and Supplier Partners to ensure products are designed, validated, and industrialized to meet customer expectations for quality, manufacturability, capability, and cost. AOE applies a non-biased, risk-based approach to identify and mitigate product and process risks through Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and the identification of critical and special characteristics that drive validation and manufacturing controls. Through data-driven decision-making, process validation, supplier development, and continuous improvement, the Senior AOE independently develops practical and thorough solutions to complex quality and manufacturing problems, collaborates with management on improvement opportunities, and influences cross-functional teams to achieve product and operational objectives.
What You'll Do
- Lead quality planning activities throughout product development and launch using APQP principles, including risk assessment, DFM, FMEA, validation planning, process capability, and manufacturing readiness.
- Partner with Engineering, Operations, Sourcing, and Suppliers to ensure product quality, reliability, and manufacturability from concept through production.
- Define and implement quality requirements, standards, metrics, and validation strategies for Home & Hydration products.
- Analyze product, manufacturing, supplier, and field-performance data to identify risks, drive corrective actions, and improve product reliability for New Product Development and Sustainment programs.
- Lead supplier quality assessments, qualification activities, measurement system analysis and manufacturing readiness reviews to support sourcing and production decisions.
- Drive root cause investigations and continuous improvement efforts using structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Exercise independent judgment to address complex quality issues, evaluate trade-offs, and anticipate downstream product, manufacturing, supplier, and customer impacts.
- Influence cross-functional teams and suppliers to strengthen quality, reliability, and risk-based decision-making.
- Serve as a technical resource for materials, manufacturing processes, and quality systems while mentoring team members and stakeholders.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred.
- 8+ years of experience in Quality, Product Development, Manufacturing, or Advanced Operations Engineering.
- Demonstrated experience supporting consumer products through the full product development lifecycle, from concept through production launch.
- Strong knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes used in Home & Hydration products, including:
- Stainless steel and vacuum-insulated products
- Thermal performance validation
- Powder coating and surface finishes
- Plastic injection molding
- Magnetic assemblies
- Metals, cast iron, enamel, and ceramics
- Experience working with global suppliers and manufacturing partners.
- Experience working with food-safe materials, processes, and suppliers preferred.
- Proficiency with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, DOE, SPC, MSA/GR&R, CAPA, 8D, and statistical problem-solving methods.
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
- Experience with PLM systems, CAD tools, Tableau, SharePoint, and related engineering systems preferred.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Benefits & Perks:
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