Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Quality
Location: PTI Tech, Clifton NJ
Reports To: Director of Quality

Mission

To uphold and advance the highest standards of quality across all stages of manufacturing—ensuring compliance with AS9100 and customer-specific requirements through robust documentation, risk management, and process validation. This role exists to proactively prevent quality issues, support internal and customer-facing investigations, and strengthen PTI’s reputation as a trusted partner for mission-critical components.

Competencies – What This Person Must Be

Standards-Driven: Understands and applies AS9100, ISO 9001, MIL-STD-1916 and customer-specific standards; ensures audits, validations, and ongoing operations meet all requirements.

Root Cause Problem Solver: Leads investigations using 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa methods to ensure sustainable corrective actions.

Process Control Advocate: Uses SPC, PFMEA, control plans, and capability studies to ensure consistent, capable production.

Metrics-Driven: Uses data analysis to monitor trends, reduce scrap, and eliminate recurrence of quality issues.

Customer-Focused: Communicates clearly with aerospace, defense, and other high-stakes clients; drives issues to closure and delivers timely updates.

Cross-Functional Collaborator: Partners with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Production teams to align on requirements, validate processes, and resolve issues quickly.

Detail-Oriented: Manages documentation and compliance requirements with accuracy including FAIRs, PPAPs, CAPA records, SOPs, and quality alerts with full traceability.

Self-Directed and Proactive: Takes initiative to identify and resolve quality risks without being prompted and with minimal supervision; follows through on actions with rigor and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive quality improvements through Gage R&R studies, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing tools.
• Lead investigations into internal and external quality issues; document findings and ensure timely resolution.
• Perform root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5 Whys) and verify the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Coordinate timely responses to Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR), Non-Conformance Reports (NCR), customer complaints, and quality-related queries.
• Prepare and maintain First Article Inspection Reports (AS9102), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP-AS9145) documentation, and validation (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Lead risk assessments (PFMEA) and develop control plans to mitigate quality risks.
• Track and analyze defects and scrap data to identify trends and prioritize corrective actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering to improve processes and define inspection criteria.
• Own inspection processes, including CMM (Zeiss – Calypso), OGP, and Keyence programming, as well as inspection fixture design (SolidWorks preferred).
• Oversee QC personnel training in partnership with manufacturing engineering to establish visual standards and develop work instructions.
• Maintain SOPs, work instructions, inspection procedures, and training logs in compliance with AS9100.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits, ensuring readiness and compliance.

Key Metrics & KPI’s

• ≥ 98% Quality Shipments
• ≥ 90% Gage R&R Pass Rate
• ≥ 1.33 Cpk for Stable Processes
• ≤ 3% Internal Scrap Rate on assigned processes
• ≥ 95% CAPA Effectiveness
• ≥ 95% On-Time Submission of FAIRs, PPAPs, SCAR’s, and CAPA’s
• ≥ 95% Documentation Accuracy Rate

Required Experience and Qualifications (Subject to Management Discretion)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or a related Engineering field
• 3–5+ years of quality engineering experience in injection molding or precision manufacturing
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and MIL-STD-1916
• Experience with FAIR, PPAP, SPC, PFMEA, control plans, and CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
• Proficiency in statistical tools (Minitab, JMP, Excel) and QMS/ERP systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma certification
• Experience in the defense, aerospace, or medical device industries
• Hands-on inspection experience, including CMM, optical, or non-contact methods
• Experience with CMM programming and operation (Zeiss – Calypso)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods
• Capable of lifting up to 40 lbs and accessing production and inspection equipment
• Manual dexterity for handling tools, parts, and inspection equipment
• Visual acuity sufficient to read prints, inspect parts, and identify quality defects
• Tolerance for a manufacturing environment with heat, noise, and moving equipment

Work Environment

• Manufacturing facility with exposure to injection molding machines, CNC equipment, and secondary operations
• Requires use of PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection
• Frequent collaboration with production, maintenance, and engineering teams on the floor

Company Description

Engineers. Injection molders. Makers. Problem solvers. We are PTI Tech. We are a dedicated team of the nation’s leading experts devoted to manufacturing excellence. We have perfected our craft over our rich 37-year history, and we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. If you can imagine it, we can build it.

PTI Tech supports some of the world’s most innovative “technology-first” companies and institutions across mission-critical applications, from surgical instruments to fighter aircraft components. PTI Tech’s family-run, personalized small-business approach to quality, innovation, and service continues to earn awards and recognition from government and industry.

Company Description

Engineers. Injection molders. Makers. Problem solvers. We are PTI Tech. We are a dedicated team of the nation’s leading experts devoted to manufacturing excellence. We have perfected our craft over our rich 37-year history, and we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. If you can imagine it, we can build it.\r\n\r\nPTI Tech supports some of the world’s most innovative “technology-first” companies and institutions across mission-critical applications, from surgical instruments to fighter aircraft components. PTI Tech’s family-run, personalized small-business approach to quality, innovation, and service continues to earn awards and recognition from government and industry.