Senior Quality Engineer in Palmer

Job Description Job Description

Summary:

The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for leading and continuously improving the Quality Management System (QMS) for a growing aluminum sand casting foundry. This position ensures compliance with customer requirements, industry standards, and internal quality objectives while driving defect reduction, process improvement, and customer satisfaction.

The Senior Quality Engineer serves as the primary quality resource for casting production, inspection, and customer quality matters. This role works closely with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Customers to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and improve manufacturing processes throughout the foundry.

This position may require access to export-controlled technology or software source code that is subject to export controls restrictions under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) and will therefore be required to meet eligibility criteria under ITAR and EAR regulations.

• Maintain and improve the company's Quality Management System in accordance with ISO
  9001/ AS9100 requirements.
• Develop, revise, and control quality procedures, work instructions, and inspection standards.
• Lead internal, external, customer and certification audits.
• Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes and ensure timely closure.
• Monitor quality metrics and prepare reports for management review.
• Support aluminum sand casting operations, including molding, core making, melting, pouring, heat treating, finishing, and machining.
• Oversee Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), dimensional inspections, and metallurgical evaluations.
• Analyze scrap, rework, and customer returns to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) utilizing methodologies like 5-Why, Fishbone diagrams, and FMEA to address internal foundry defects and customer complaints.
• Collaborate with Production and Engineering teams to improve process capability and reduce variation.
• Develop and maintain control plans, inspection plans, and process documentation.
• Train, and mentor quality inspectors, metrology technicians, and laboratory personnel.
• Foster a “quality-first” culture by training production floor employees on visual aids, check sheets, and standard operating procedures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality inquiries, audits, and on-site visits.
• Collaborate with purchasing and engineering teams to evaluate supplier quality, handle non-conforming incoming raw materials, and drive supplier development.
• Continuously review KPIs for Quality and Manufacturing. Suggest metric changes to management as applicable to ensure the pulse of the business is fully understood.
• Keep management team informed of significant issues or developments identified during quality activities, while coordinating with production any stop-work, containment, or workarounds required.
• Perform other duties or assignments as directed by management.

• Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Relentlessly pursues root causes with a significant sense of urgency; gathers and analyzes information skillfully to develop several solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management: Develops and coordinates projects with little or no supervision; effectively communicates updates; completes projects on time and within budget.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Assesses own strengths and weaknesses, while continuously working to expand skillset; openly shares expertise with others.
• Interpersonal: Focuses on solving conflict, not assigning blame; maintains confidentiality as appropriate; listens without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things; treats everyone with dignity and respect; displays passion and optimism, while inspiring respect and trust; proactively challenges…