Quality Engineer

Description

Three D Metals is growing! We are seeking a quality engineer to add to our quality team.

Position Summary

The Quality Engineer is responsible for managing, investigating, and resolving customer quality concerns and claims related to manufactured metal products. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams to ensure timely response, root cause identification, and corrective action implementation. The position works closely with manufacturing, engineering, and supplier quality teams to drive continuous improvement and prevent recurrence of quality issues involving materials such as high carbon steel, low carbon steel, copper, and aluminum.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Claims Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality complaints and claims.
• Receive, document, and track customer claims within the company’s quality management system.
• Coordinate timely communication with customers regarding investigation status and resolution.
• Ensure customer claims are addressed according to company response timelines and customer requirements.

Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action

• Lead investigations of customer complaints to determine root cause using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, or DMAIC.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and supplier quality teams to identify contributing factors.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure corrective actions effectively prevent recurrence of issues.

Quality Issue Containment

• Coordinate containment actions when quality issues are identified in the field or at customer locations.
• Work with production and warehouse teams to identify potentially affected inventory or shipments.
• Support risk assessments and disposition of suspect material.

Customer Communication

• Prepare and submit formal responses to customer complaints, including 8D reports and corrective action documentation.
• Participate in customer meetings, calls, or visits related to quality concerns when required.
• Maintain professional and timely communication with customers regarding quality issues and resolutions.

Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Track and analyze trends in customer complaints, returns, and claims.
• Develop reports and metrics related to customer quality performance.
• Identify recurring issues and work with cross-functional teams to drive improvement initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement efforts to reduce external defects and customer dissatisfaction.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, supplier quality, and operations teams to address product quality issues.
• Participate in internal quality reviews related to customer concerns.
• Support new product introductions and process changes to minimize potential customer quality risks.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain records of customer claims, investigations, corrective actions, and resolutions. Analyze data and report on regular established cadence.
• Ensure compliance with the company’s quality management system and applicable industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Assist with internal and external audits related to customer quality performance.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5+ years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing quality, or customer quality roles in an industrial or metals manufacturing environment.
• Experience investigating customer complaints and product nonconformances.
• Experience with 8D reporting and customer corrective action systems.
• Knowledge of metallurgical properties and testing methods for steel, copper, and aluminum materials. Previous PPAP experience is a plus.
• Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Familiarity with ERP or quality management software systems.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and material certifications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Occasional travel (5-15%) may be required for customer visits or investigations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or related ASQ certification.