Quality Engineer - Product & Supplier QA

Sub-Zero Group, Inc.•Cedar Rapids, IA

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is a unique startup opportunity to support both supplier quality and in-plant quality systems as we launch a new fabrication and assembly operation. As the plant grows, this position will evolve into a dedicated Supplier Quality Engineer or Plant Quality Engineer role based on individual strengths and business needs. The company is a family-owned manufacturer of luxury kitchen appliances known for craftsmanship, innovation, and integrity. The new Cedar Rapids facility is building a culture rooted in safety, operational excellence, and ownership, emphasizing doing what's right, taking pride in work, and continuous improvement through teamwork, accountability, and a passion for results.

Requirements

Pre-employment drug/alcohol test and background check

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and sustain incoming material and parts inspection processes
Establish inspection methods, sampling strategies, and control plans for purchased components
Develop receiving inspection standards that support risk-based decision making
Drive improvements toward efficient flow, including movement toward dock-to-stock where appropriate
Train and support plant teams to ensure consistent execution of incoming inspection processes
Serve as the primary conduit between the Cedar Rapids plant and the broader Supplier Quality team
Partner with suppliers and internal teams to ensure quality parts are delivered to production in a timely manner
Lead supplier problem solving, corrective actions, and improvement plans
Review and approve supplier PPAPs, including control plans, FMEAs, and capability studies
Perform supplier qualification, audits, and quality-at-rate assessments
Support early production containment and supplier readiness for new product launches
Support the development and implementation of the Cedar Rapids Quality Management System
Lead problem identification, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
Work cross-functionally to develop, qualify, and audit manufacturing processes
Support trial builds and pilot runs, collecting and analyzing quality data
Establish KPIs and visual management systems to track quality performance
Own supplier quality performance for assigned commodities (Post-Startup Path 1)
Lead supplier development, audits, and improvement strategies (Post-Startup Path 1)
Manage supplier change control and lifecycle quality processes (Post-Startup Path 1)
Own internal quality systems and production quality performance (Post-Startup Path 2)
Lead continuous improvement of manufacturing processes (Post-Startup Path 2)
Support layered audits, control plans, and standard work adherence (Post-Startup Path 2)
Build a culture that surfaces and solves problems, not hides them
Take ownership of results and continuously look for ways to improve
Communicate clearly and consistently with both plant teams and suppliers
Model integrity, accountability, and a strong team-first mindset