Field Quality Engineer

Trane Technologies•Columbia, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Field Quality Engineer leads, facilitates, and reports customer- and field-related quality activities across assigned equipment platforms. The role connects customers and field teams with manufacturing and engineering, overseeing quality issues, analyzing failures using customer feedback, and prioritizing programs to improve product performance in the field. The position also develops a defined project pipeline based on analysis of improvement opportunities and serves as the first point of contact for SBU Distribution teams on customer-impacting issues for assigned platforms. This on-site position is based in Columbia, South Carolina, and reports to the SBU Field Quality Leader. Travel may be up to 10%, with occasional peaks above that level. The engineer works across functions to investigate and resolve customer issues, improve product reliability, manage quality projects and metrics, and communicate quality efforts. The role supports supplier reliability improvements and helps identify field training and customer application gaps that affect the customer experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, operations management, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of experience in quality or quality engineering in a design, engineering, or manufacturing environment using best practices such as Advanced Quality Planning, DFMEA deployment, and Production Part Approval Processes.
Demonstrated leadership and applied knowledge of APQP, DFMEA, and PPAP.
Experience in quality management, operations, and lean manufacturing processes, including visual management.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to mentor, work as part of a team, and interact professionally with customers and suppliers.
Ability to travel up to 10%, with some peaks at higher levels.
Ability to influence and motivate associates and work with departments throughout the organization.
Proactive, team-oriented change agent with a hands-on, collaborative approach to implementing and maintaining operating disciplines while using lean methodologies.
Knowledge of problem-solving techniques, process improvement tools, statistical and sampling techniques, SPC, process capability, traceability, and control points.
Experience with project management and planning tools, monitoring project activities, and project documentation.
Proficiency with information technology systems used in Quality Management Systems and processes.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage quality initiatives across multiple product platforms, with a focus on reducing quality-related costs and improving product quality.
Develop and implement quality-driven test systems and procedures to ensure products meet customer expectations.
Conduct customer site visits and gather information to address and resolve customer issues.
Research and investigate customer issues to identify root causes and calculate the benefits of quality improvements.
Act as a liaison in key selling situations that require information about quality management systems and processes.
Provide data and prioritize improvement opportunities for Product Growth Teams (PGTs).
Develop and present business cases for improvements and track improvement timelines.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Field Quality function using tools such as Gemba, management reviews, internal audits, and customer feedback.
Facilitate and complete root cause analyses across functions to ensure corrective actions improve component reliability and product performance.
Develop communication strategies with field service technicians to identify and resolve issues through manufacturing and engineering changes.
Collaborate with suppliers on reliability improvements and integrate them into new product and project introduction phases.
Create and manage a prioritized project pipeline to maximize customer and business benefits.
Track projects and ensure teams deliver agreed quality improvements.
Forecast and manage key metrics aligned with plant financials and PGT Glide paths.
Identify gaps in field training and customer application that affect the customer experience.
Develop and communicate core messages about quality improvement efforts and the evolving quality culture.