Senior Quality Engineer

Company Description

About Smiths Interconnect:

Smiths Interconnect, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in mission-critical applications across industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality, and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world’s most demanding systems.

Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defense, space & aerospace and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.

Job Description

Job Purpose: 

Under the direction of the Site Quality Manager, the Quality Engineer based at the Costa Rica site will support Smiths Interconnect Quality Assurance for Space, Aerospace, and other commercial customers, products, and processes.

Key elements of the role include:

• Monitor, analyze and continuously improve the quality performance of Smiths Interconnect both externally and internally through continuous improvement/excellence activities based on sound quality management/quality assurance fundamentals which focus on process management/control, built in quality, and relentless drive to continually improve.
• Lead the site in corrective and preventive action efforts as they relate in internal (in house) concerns, external concerns with Smith Interconnect, and external end-use customers.
• Interface, as required, with aerospace, defense, and other customers on corrective actions and problem solving
• Develop improvement plans and guide actions to drive improvement in KPI’s (key performance indicators) that align with strategic initiatives.
• Coach, council, and mentor site level and business unit team, enabling customer satisfaction, quality system, and goal improvements.
• Participate in, and represent quality in assigned new product introductions, ensuring built in quality. Facilitate process qualifications for both product performance and manufacturability.
• Work with global quality assurance team to identify and implement global best practices, which strive to achieve global standardization and operational excellence.
• Facilitate and Lead corrective action processes to ensure that identified causes are addressed, and systems are globally improved to prevent recurrence.
• Lead, mentor teams in problem solving and root cause identification efforts.
• Support Global teams in Supplier Qualification and issue resolution.
• Lead and/or participate, as assigned, in continuous improvement activities in business performance in areas of Quality, Cost, Lead-time and Delivery; utilizing Lean and six-sigma concepts.

Responsibilities:

• Experience in related Engineering or Quality field in a manufacturing setting. Aerospace, defense, space experience preferred. Will consider other regulated industry experience such as medical devices and automotive.
• Demonstrated performance in quality assurances roles.
• Strong communication skills (Spanish & English) and ability to work independently and achieving objectives through influence. 
• Must have 3 years (or more) of cross functional experience in quality assurance/control, process engineering, or similar position in a high precision, regulated manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated success in lean production processes and business process excellence is preferred.
• Experience in QMS audit processes. Certification as QMS Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor preferred.  
• Knowledgeable and demonstrated experience in the application of Lean and Six Sigma (or other Advanced Problem Solving methodology). 
• Demonstrated knowledge and utilization of quality management tools, such as; 8D problem solving, 5-why & Ishikawa analyses, Value Stream Mapping, capability studies, MSA, SPC, Control Plans, Kaizen, 5S, Statistical Analysis, SMED, Root Cause analysis tools, VOC, Error Proofing, FMEA, BIQ, and Cause and Effect Diagrams.
• Formal Lean and 6-sigma belted certifications are preferred.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional high performance teams.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have solid understand of QMS Processes. Additionally, ISO 9000, AS9100D, ISO 13485, OSHAS 18000, and ISO 14000 is preferred.
• Certification as Internal Auditor or Lead Assessor preferred.
• Preferably an expert in Lean and Advanced Problem-Solving usage with demonstrated/quantifiable hands on experience.
• Ability to work independently and in a team settings. 
• Possess the interpersonal skills required to be effective in influencing at all levels of a geographically distributed business.
• Experience preparing and auditing customer qualifications such as FAIRs, FARS, PPAP, etc.
• Capability to cross functional, global teams in problem solving, process improvements, and solution implementation.
• Experience in supplier development is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quality or a Technical Discipline (i.e IE, EE, ME, QE).
• 3+ years Quality / Operations / Engineering experience in engineering or management role in a world-class manufacturing setting, with demonstrated success in both quality leadership and business process excellence.
• Proven problem solving skills and abilities required
• Travel:  less than 5%
• University Bachelor's Degree in engineering or similar technological discipline field.
• Proficient in English communications (Write/Verbal)
• At least 6 years of experience in Quality engineering functions in manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading teams (PM, direct reports, interdisciplinary teams).
• Able to communicate to different levels within the organization both in Spanish and English
• Understanding and experience working under compliance & regulatory standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14000, AS9100D)
• Familiar with data analysis and visualization using Power BI or similar (desirable)

Additional Information

Health, Safety and Environment Requirements

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for extend periods of time; a minimum of 2 hours.
• Must be able to maneuver to all areas of the office, shop, warehouse, or manufacturing plant
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and grip items while working at assigned desk area.
• Must have the manual dexterity and coordination to operate office equipment.
• Must be able to simultaneously manage several objectives, changing priorities and reassign priorities to complete assignments.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Must be able to respond to visual and aural cues.
• Complete all work in a safe manner and follow all safety requirements consistent with supporting the Company’s goals.
• Lifting guidelines in accordance with the Manual Lifting Guidelines noted in the Safety Handbook.
• Follow all environmental requirements consistent with supporting the company’s environmental performance goals.
• Complete, and actively participate in all other EHS training requirements.

Work environment is typically considered within a Smiths location during normal or extended business hours to include offices, manufacturing plants and repair facilities.  Work environment may also include customer sites including oil well sites, and meeting venues. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and approved PPE is required when on the factory floor.

Onsite

Coyol, Free zone.Alajuela.