Quality Engineer

Description

Kasco Marine is seeking a full-time Quality Engineer at our home office in Prescott, WI.   

Kasco Marine is a leading international supplier and innovator in the manufacture of aerators, floating decorative fountains, de-icing products, circulators, and tank mixers. Kasco has a well-established reputation for offering quality products to the residential, aquaculture, commercial, resort, and institutional industries. Kasco is located in Prescott, WI and has been in business for over 50 years. We are a mid-sized company that is continuously growing our personnel and product offerings. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional service and support to our customers as well as creating an atmosphere of continuous improvement where everyone’s voice is heard. This person will be a key contributor to maintaining Kasco’s quality standards and fostering a positive work environment.

Position Overview: 

Kasco is seeking an individual to join our quality team, working closely with the quality manager, inspector, and technician. This person will have a strong background and passion for quality systems and practices who will help us drive and sustain improvements in our products, designs, processes, and systems. This individual will be an important contributor to our Continuous Improvement journey and to sustaining our proud reputation for high-performing, reliable, long-lasting products. 

General Accountabilities: 

1. Contribute to the continuous improvement of products, operations, quality systems, and processes through application of quality principles and tools.

2. Utilize control charts and other Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools to monitor critical dimensions and features over time. 

3. Initiate and lead Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to continuously improve internal and external non-conformances. 

4. Collaborate with Design Engineering to review drawings and ensure clear, measurable definitions of critical dimensions, features, and tolerances.

5. Define and document test methods and inspection criteria (Control Plans and Inspection Work Instructions). 

6. Apply Root Cause Analysis (RCA) tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Pareto analysis, cause-and-effect diagrams) to identify and resolve issues.

7. Create and maintain control plans for all purchased components. 

8. Perform inspections and support the training of quality personnel.

9. Ensure conformance of Kasco finished goods, purchased components, and processes to all specifications and expectations of the end customers. 

10. Audit manufacturing instructions, processes, and practices for compliance and effectiveness.

11. Maintain measurement equipment and calibration schedules. 

12. Provide formal performance feedback to critical suppliers.

13. Document and communicate component quality issues internally and with vendors.

14. Respond to production concerns to help evaluate risk, quarantine impacted materials and products, and identify root causes and corrective actions with cross-functional teams. 

15. Effectively communicate concerns, risks, opportunities, and successes to working partners and management team. 

16. The Quality Engineer will have the authority to stop production or shipping of products due to potential quality concerns.

17. Support Supply Chain Development through identification and assessment of potential key vendors.

Benefits: Eligible employees are offered a competitive salary and benefits package including medical/dental/life/STD/LTD/vision insurances, paid time off, sick pay, holiday pay, paid parental leave, advancement opportunities, 401(k), and profit sharing. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Education:      B.S. in Engineering or Manufacturing-focused area of study.  
• Experience      with metrology tools and equipment including Coordinate Measuring Machines      (CMMs), height gauges, dial indicators, calipers, tensile testers, and      micrometers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with single and three-phase electric motors.
• Experience:      2+ years of experience working in an established, high performing quality      system.
• Experience      in a manufacturing and assembly environment.
• LEAN Certification/experience. 
• Experience with injection molding and injection molded      parts. 
• Certifications      or training in industry recognized tools and methodologies (such as Six      Sigma, ISO, or ASQ).
• Experience with Regulatory Agency compliance. 

Skills Required:

• Interpersonal communication and      collaboration. 
• Strong      written communication and documentation abilities. 
• Ability      to think critically and solve complex problems.
• Self-directed      with the ability to find, investigate, and solve problems independently. 
• Ability to      organize and manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to      detail.
• Competency      in Minitab or similar statistical analysis software. 
• Works      well under pressure; strong ability to multi-task and be a team player.
• Willing      to request support from team members to quickly solve problems. 
• Willing      to speak up when parts/processes do not meet requirements. 
• Must be able to maintain a      positive attitude in stressful situations. 

Physical Requirements: Requires occasional lifting of materials up to 50 lbs. May be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.