LEAD QUALITY ENGINEER - SR. QUALITY ENGINEER - SR. QUALITY SCIENTIST - Quality Assurance Engineering at Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

We are a diverse team of Quality Engineers and Scientists supporting programs and projects in multiple technical divisions across the Institute, including Mechanical Engineering, Space Science and Engineering, Defense and Intelligence Solutions, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and more.

Objectives of this Role:

• Provide technical guidance for quality management system and quality assurance/engineering program implementation on government and commercial projects conducted under recognized quality standards for hardware, software, and manufacturing.
• Help formulate & implement quality assurance engineering & quality control procedures.
• Perform quality management system internal gap assessments and surveillances to determine and evaluate the level of compliance on projects.
• Provide support during external/customer audits of the quality system.
• Act as an integral project team member, support product development (design, fabrication, and testing) and project quality management activities from the proposal stage through product delivery and warranty service activities.
• Interface with project engineers and department/division management, as well as customer, supplier, and contract representatives as necessary on quality and compliance related topics.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Review solicitations and prepare proposals and cost estimates for satisfying quality system requirements.
• Perform contract reviews.
• Prepare, assist in the implementation of, and verify compliance to project quality plans to ensure contractual quality requirements are met.
• Review purchase requisitions and coordinate inspection, test/fabrication monitoring and surveillance programs to verify compliance.
• Conduct training on quality assurance concepts and tools.
• Prepare and measure quality system effectiveness through KPI metrics & quality reviews.
• Participate in the review and disposition of nonconforming material/services.
• Perform investigation and analysis to determine root cause, corrective action, preventative action, and effectiveness. Lead Material Review Board activities.
• Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of quality assurance system processes and procedures.
• Communicate and coordinate daily with project personnel and other QA staff, engineers, fabricators, and management.
• Create and deliver quality assurance presentation portion of formal requirements and design reviews for project teams and customers.
• Recommend revisions of quality & engineering documentation when indicated.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Naval Architecture/Marine Engineering, Aeronautics/Aerospace Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, or closely related engineering discipline with related experience.
• Certified Quality Engineer/Manager (ASQ certification) or similar is preferred. Relevant military experience is a plus.
• 6+ years: Previous experience in a production, manufacturing, fabrication, or research environment is required. Experience in implementing a Quality management system in manufacturing environment strongly desired.
• 6+ years: Familiarity with quality standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 is required. Familiarity with ASME and/or NAVSEA, AS9100, P-9290, NOTE 5000, NQA-1, ABS and/or SUBSAFE is a plus. Internal or external auditing experience is a plus.
• 6+ years: Experience working as a contributor to an engineering project team is required. Familiarity with drawing review is required. Familiarity with design for inspectability is a plus.
• Must have excellent communication skills to work with project staff, management, and representatives of the client, suppliers, or regulatory agencies.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.