Product Quality Engineer

Laars Heating Systems Company•Rochester, NH

About The Position

Laars Heating Systems Company is seeking a Product Quality Engineer to drive measurable improvement in product quality and process performance across its boiler and water heater manufacturing operation. The role applies data analysis, engineering principles, and structured problem-solving methods to identify and eliminate root causes of quality issues. The position promotes proactive, prevention-based quality by strengthening upstream process control, statistical monitoring, and supplier capability, reducing dependence on incoming and fabrication inspection. It is a primary contact for customer- and supplier-facing quality matters and works across engineering, production, procurement, and service functions to turn field issues, supplier nonconformances, and process variation into sustainable corrective actions. Success is measured by reductions in cost of poor quality, incoming inspection, and recurring issues, as well as improvements in internal defect rates and first-pass yield.

Requirements

3–7 years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or supplier quality, preferably in manufacturing.
Demonstrated experience with structured root cause and problem-solving methods such as 8D, A3, 5-Why, DMAIC, or Six Sigma.
Working knowledge of statistical process control, measurement systems analysis (gauge R&R), and process capability studies (Cpk/Ppk).
Experience with supplier quality management, including supplier audits, SCARs, and PPAP or first-article inspection processes.
Familiarity with FMEA development and control plan creation.
Experience with ISO 9001 or a similar quality management system.
Strong data analysis skills and comfort working in Excel and/or quality or statistical software such as Minitab or equivalent.
Excellent cross-functional communication skills and ability to work effectively with engineers, production personnel, suppliers, and customers.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and independently drive corrective actions to closure.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Quality, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field); an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing experience in HVAC, appliances, heavy equipment, or a similar regulated or mechanical product industry.
Experience with ASME, UL, or other boiler and water heater industry codes and standards.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or willingness to obtain.
Training or certification in core quality tools such as FMEA, SPC, MSA, or APQP/PPAP.

Responsibilities

Analyze quality, scrap, rework, and warranty data to identify trends, prioritize improvements, and quantify cost of poor quality.
Lead and participate in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving for internal nonconformances, field failures, and customer complaints.
Develop, implement, and maintain control plans, PFMEAs, and process control methods, including SPC, gauge R&R, and capability studies.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to design and validate process improvements, error-proofing, and inspection methods that prevent defects.
Drive corrective and preventive action plans through verified, sustained closure.
Reduce reliance on incoming inspection by qualifying supplier processes, implementing source inspection or certified supplier programs, and validating supplier process capability.
Serve as the primary supplier quality contact by leading supplier corrective action requests, supplier audits, and capability assessments.
Collaborate with Procurement to assess and develop supplier quality performance, onboard suppliers, and manage supplier scorecards.
Work with suppliers on PPAP or first-article approval, process validation, and continuous improvement related to incoming material quality.
Act as the quality team's primary contact for customer quality concerns, field issues, and warranty trends, partnering with Service on investigations and resolution.
Translate field and warranty data into internal improvement projects; support customer audits, documentation requests, and complaint resolution.
Communicate quality performance, corrective actions, and improvement plans to internal stakeholders and external customers.
Work with Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production, Procurement, and Service to align on quality priorities and resolve issues.
Participate in new product introduction and design change processes to address manufacturability and quality requirements early.
Support internal and external audits and maintain quality documentation and records.
Work with quality inspectors to report quality metrics and present findings to leadership.