Position: Quality Engineer (Process Improvement)
Type: Contract (6-12 months)
Location: Brea, CA (ONSITE position)
Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Hourly Pay: $50-$60/hr  (Based on Experience)

Kelly Engineering is seeking a qualified Quality Engineer for our client in Brea, CA. This will be a 6–12-month contract position. This role involves employing statistical techniques and preventive action strategies to evaluate, initiate, identify, and regulate sources of variation that negatively impact quality, cost, and schedule goals. Responsibilities encompass quality and cost data analysis, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action investigations, process validations, and tasks related to supplier quality integration. The position necessitates the collection and processing of quality data, producing monthly internal and external company reports. This data will drive continuous improvements in Safety, Quality, and Productivity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Plant Quality Manager in executing the Quality Strategy concerning the Mission, Vision & Strategic Initiatives focused on plant process improvement.
  

• Utilize data analytics to spot opportunities for process enhancements and cost savings.
  

• Elevate manufacturing process capability with DMAIC methodology and Lean Six-Sigma Tools; aim to center processes and minimize variation (Cpk), leading to reduced CoPQ (scrap).
  

• Enhance measurement systems and gages to ensure high accuracy with solid repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R) and deploy error-proof techniques.
  

• Promote technologies like SPC that can predict and anticipate process variations.
  

• Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives to strengthen the quality system using methods such as 5S, Kaizen/Lean, First Pass Yield, DPMO, and Scrap % metrics.
  

• Establish robust Quality process controls, leveraging Quality Assurance procedures and Control Plans (IQC, IPQC, and FQA, control of non-conforming materials). Develop and enhance Standard Operating Procedures and train operators on new and improved standard work.
  

• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Product Engineering, and Finance throughout project execution to identify and eliminate obstacles.
  

• Address process failures using formal Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Processes (8D/5Ys) and develop, deploy, and validate these actions.
  

• Regularly report project execution progress to plant leadership and global Quality leaders.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Quality, Manufacturing, or Engineering (Mechanical & Materials Engineering).
  

• 5+ years of professional experience with direct experience in:
  

• Quality Management Systems like ISO 9001, AS9100, Quality Assurance Processes, and New Product Development approval processes such as APQP/PPAP
  

• Various Manufacturing Processes (Forging, Punching, Forming, Machining, Heat Treatment, Coating, Crimping, Assembly). 
  

• Certified Lean Six-Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred, with experience in DMAIC, GR&R, Cpk/Cmk, SPC, D/PFMEA, Control Plan, and Problem Solving (5Ys/8Ds); proficient in data analysis using software like Excel, MiniTab.
  

• Proven project management skills, analytical abilities, and attention to detail.
  

• Effective communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to manage multiple projects.
  

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders within the plant and at the SBU level (Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, Compliance/Reliability, Sourcing, Finance). Capable of working in a global, cross-functional team environment to achieve results.
  

• Organized, disciplined, and logically approaches data management.
  

• A self-starter who can work autonomously and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
  

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

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