Quality Process Engineer

Vesuvius•, IL

About The Position

The Quality Process Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the quality and efficiency of production processes. This role involves measuring process capability, monitoring production, analyzing root causes of issues, and implementing improvements in technology, raw materials, and product design. The engineer will also develop and maintain rework instructions, optimize performance of key production nodes, reduce cycle times, and minimize downtime related to changeovers. Additionally, they will develop and maintain process flow diagrams and collect data for capacity calculations. The role also includes conducting compliance audits, ensuring adherence to QMS and EMS requirements, managing records for traceability, applying quality tools, supporting scrap rate reduction, supervising non-conforming products, and participating in Quality Panels and audits. Continuous improvement through Lean tools like Kaizen, 5S, and standardization is a key aspect, as is leading improvement projects and driving initiatives to increase productivity and efficiency. The engineer will also participate in New Product Implementation (NPI) projects, collaborate with R&D, ensure proper validation of technology transfers, verify compliance, and conduct audits. Resource management for tooling, molds, and equipment, as well as identifying infrastructure improvements and supporting efficient utilization of technical resources, are also part of the responsibilities. Finally, the role involves supporting operator competency validation, organizing quality-related training, and supervising corrective and preventive actions. The engineer has the authority to stop production in case of non-conformities, safety risks, or procedural violations and is responsible for supervising corrective actions and compliance with standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Materials Science, Ceramics, or related field preferred)
Minimum 3 years in technical/production roles
Strong knowledge of chemistry, material science, ceramics
Working knowledge of reading drawings (CAD)
Experience with quality tools and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Practical knowledge of ISO 9001
Problem-solving using 8D methodology
Proficiency in MiniTab
Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
Goal-oriented mindset with attention to detail
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work under pressure
Assertiveness and decision-making capability
Openness to change and continuous improvement
Team leadership and people management skills

Nice To Haves

Materials Science, Ceramics, or related field preferred for degree
MiniTab would be a plus

Responsibilities

Measure process capability (Cp, Cpk) and drive variability reduction initiatives
Monitor production processes and identify product and process non-conformities
Analyze root causes of issues and identify improvement opportunities in technology, raw materials, and product design
Develop and maintain rework instructions in line with acceptance criteria
Optimize performance of key production nodes and reduce cycle times
Minimize downtime related to changeovers
Develop and maintain process flow diagrams
Collect and analyze data for capacity calculations
Conduct periodic compliance audits and identify deviations
Ensure adherence to Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) requirements
Manage process and product parameter records ensuring full traceability
Apply quality tools and methodologies (SPC, DOE, 8D)
Support reduction of scrap rate and customer PPM
Supervise non-conforming products and approve deviations for raw materials and blends
Participate in Quality Panels and audits
Implement Lean tools such as Kaizen, 5S, and standardization
Lead and participate in process and product improvement projects
Drive initiatives to increase productivity and efficiency while maintaining high quality
Support development and tracking of KPIs and quality objectives
Participate in NPI projects, including development of test plans and oversight of implementation
Collaborating with R&D on process and technology improvements
Ensure proper validation and approval of technology transfers
Verify compliance of transferred processes with production standards
Conduct audits and recommend corrective and improvement actions
Manage tooling, molds, and equipment resources
Identify and implement improvements in production infrastructure
Support efficient utilization of technical resources
Support validation of operator competencies for key machines
Organize and deliver quality-related training
Supervise corrective and preventive actions
Stop production in case of non-conformities, safety risks, or procedural violations
Supervise corrective actions and compliance with standards