Manufacturing Quality Engineer

Overview

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference?  If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. 

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do.  We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world.  We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. 

Are you in?  Read on for more details about this particular role.

Responsibilities

The Manufacturing Quality Engineer leads root cause analysis and corrective actions for internal and customer issues, supports supplier quality as it relates to manufacturing performance, and ensures quality readiness for new product introductions and process changes.  The role applies structured manufacturing quality tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, 8D, and Lean methodologies to reduce scrap, rework, and variation while improving overall production capability and customer satisfaction.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Own the resolution of plant quality issues by leading structured problem-solving efforts from issue identification through verified corrective action closure.
• Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving activities using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, A3, Root Cause Analysis) to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in the application of core quality and problem-solving tools.
• Apply Lean methodologies (e.g., poka-yoke, Kaizen, value stream mapping) to improve manufacturing quality processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Monitor, analyze, and improve First Pass Yield (FPY) using SPC, process capability analysis, and data-driven interventions.
• Lead Stop Ship and Stop Production activities, including rapid containment, root cause investigation, and coordination of corrective actions to enable timely release.
• Partner with Production and Manufacturing Engineering to identify, prioritize, and implement manufacturing process improvement initiatives.
• Analyze quality and manufacturing data to identify trends, anticipate risks, and drive preventive actions.

Quality Management System (QMS) Compliance

• Ensure plant-level adherence to QMS standards and site procedures through effective implementation, monitoring, internal audits, and corrective action follow-up.
• Maintain QMS compliance through robust procedure execution, documentation control, and management of nonconformances and corrective actions.
• Apply risk-based thinking through PFMEAs and process reviews to identify and mitigate quality risks during production and product or process changes.
• Support customer, certification, and regulatory audits by preparing documentation, coordinating audit activities, and managing responses.
• Drive timely and effective closure of audit findings through corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor, analyze, and report QMS performance metrics (e.g., audit results, nonconformances, corrective action closure) to improve compliance and system effectiveness.
• Provide training on global and site-level QMS procedures, problem-solving methodologies, and quality tools to strengthen understanding, execution, and compliance across the plant.

Production Quality Support

• Support factory operations by actively monitoring production quality processes, identifying compliance gaps, and driving timely corrective actions.
• Create, maintain, and update Control Plans, Test Specifications (TST), and Incoming Quality Inspection Plans to ensure consistent and effective application of quality controls in production.
• Verify drawing accuracy with emphasis on critical-to-quality characteristics and tolerances; collaborate with engineering to resolve discrepancies and ensure designs are manufacturable and producible.
• Support and verify implementation of quality standards and control measures on the production floor through training, routine process checks, and application of tools such as SPC, error-proofing (poka-yoke), and layered process audits.
• Partner with production leadership to improve key production quality metrics such as First Pass Yield (FPY), scrap, rework, and defect rates.

Quality Assurance – Customer Focus & Supplier Support

• Serve as the initial point of detection and response for customer and supplier quality issues at the plant, ensuring rapid containment, structured investigation, and timely resolution prior to escalation.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality and Sourcing to analyze supplier-related quality issues and associated costs, and drive corrective actions that improve supplier capability and reduce reliance on incoming inspection.
• Lead and support quality improvement initiatives related to customer issues or supplier concerns by performing root cause analysis, coordinating corrective and preventive actions, and maintaining clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Own and maintain quality notification processes (CQNs, IQNs, SQNs), ensuring each notification is fully investigated, root causes are identified, and effective corrective actions are implemented and verified.
• Integrate warranty data and customer feedback into plant manufacturing processes to enable closed-loop quality improvements and prevent recurrence.
• Ensure lessons learned from customer and supplier issues are incorporated into PFMEAs, control plans, and work instructions.

NPD and Change Management

• Drive quality in new product launches and product and process changes by reviewing design specifications, evaluating manufacturing process capability, and ensuring production readiness prior to release.
• Lead and execute APQP activities for new product development and product transfers, including development of quality plans and timelines, coordination of cross-functional reviews, and verification that all required quality deliverables and gates are met.
• Apply risk-based thinking through PFMEAs to identify, assess, and mitigate potential quality risks associated with production, new product introduction, and product or process changes.
• Establish and execute internal PPAPs for in-house components and assemblies, verifying that production processes, testing methods, and inspection criteria meet design intent, customer requirements, and manufacturing readiness expectations.
• Lead structured change management for product and process changes and transfers, including change. documentation, risk assessment, validation and qualification activities, and coordination with engineering, production, and suppliers to ensure stable and effective transitions.
• Ensure lessons learned from launches and changes are incorporated into PFMEAs, control plans, and standard work.
• Support technology transfers between plants and suppliers to ensure consistent quality execution.

Qualifications

Experience (Required):

• Working knowledge of QMS standards (ISO 9001) and core manufacturing quality tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, and Control Plans.
• Ability to apply statistical analysis tools to manufacturing and quality data to drive problem-solving and process improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and customers.
• Project management skills to lead cross-functional corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to support and sustain manufacturing process changes through effective change management practices.

Experience (Preferred):

• Leading cross-functional problem-solving teams using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, A3, Root Cause Analysis, Six Sigma) to implement effective containment, corrective, and preventive actions.
• Applying predictive or advanced quality analytics to identify trends, prevent defects, and improve manufacturing process capability.
• Supporting change management activities related to technology transfers (plant-to-plant or supplier transfers), new product introductions, and manufacturing process changes.
• Leading internal process qualifications and supporting PPAP submissions for internal components and finished products.
• Using warranty and customer feedback data to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Using statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab or equivalent).
• Computer tools, including Microsoft Access, Power Apps, SAP, database development, and Power BI.
• ASQ certification(s) (e.g., CQE, CQA, CSSGB/CSSBB) preferred.

Education (Required):

Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution, or in the Natural Sciences or related technical discipline. 

This position is available at three different career levels depending on experience, education, etc.

• Level one  (Staff Engineer I): No experience required 1 year of relevant Quality Engineering and/or related Engineering experience
• Level two (Staff Engineer II):  2 years of relevant Quality Engineering or related Engineering Experience
• Level three  (Staff Engineer III): 3 years of relevant Quality Engineering or related Engineering Experience

Education (Preferred):

A minimum of 1 year of relevant Quality Engineering and/or related Engineering experience.

Travel Required: 10-25%

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