Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Overview

The key business reason for this position is to identify and reduce/eliminate quality related issues with the Komatsu America Corp. (KAC) facility of Chattanooga Manufacturing Operations (CMO) built products.
 

The Quality Assurance Engineer functions as a liason between Suppliers, Engineering, Manufacturing, Komatsu Ltd. (KLTD), etc. to ensure a high quality product is the final result from our Manufacturing operation and in the Field.

To confirm quality, core actions are: Collect failure data from warranty claims, TSI/ETSI information, feedback from Service Headquarters/Customers, etc. regarding specific machine failures. Summarize this data in terms of the number of failure occurences, affected machine models and lead in the Juhin (Serious Quality) process to resolve the issue effectively.

The Quality Assurance Engineer must collect all relevant data (ex. in-house data and external data) and prepare reports to outline how to move forward in the applicable area of quality improvement. Reports must be furnished to Quality Assurance Managers. Determine where corrective actions, design changes, process changes, etc. are required and follow through to closure of the actions. Support Suppliers, Engineering, Manufacturing, KLTD, etc. in the areas of countermeasures, verify effectiveness. Ensure progress through monitoring of repeat failures and react as necessary.

Based on the above findings, Parts and Service News, Field Campaigns, etc. may be required to address machines that are in the field at customers of Distributors.

Scope
 

• Execute the Quality activities to reduce warranty expense and improving Customer acceptance by improving quality through the identification and elimination of machine quality problems.
• Assist other Quality Assurance Staff, Suppliers and CMO Manufacturing personnel in basic quality control methods to enhance overall CMO capability in measurement of performance.
• Review and manage field actions issued by KLTD and or KAC to address quality matters.
• Manage CMO Quality Assurance improvement efforts with some supervision and make necessary decisions based on acquired background knowledge of Products and Issues.
• Communicate the Komatsu Way to CMO employees. Provide help with 5S projects, QC circle actives, continuous improvement activities.
• FOR REMAN FOCUS POSITION: Coordinate New Model release activity.  This can be as many as 150-200 new assemblies annually.  This will entail gathering all manufacturing, assembly, testing, and BOM information in order to successfully perform the remanufacturing of these products.
• Determine which Parts and Service News and other updates must be applied to Reman products through sound engineering judgments and review of warranty costs and update costs.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Review and summarize Field Campaign’s (FC’s) and Parts and Service News issued by KLTD – determine if applicable for KAC – if so, issue KAC versions. Manage creation of internal PSN’s applicable for CMO products – issue CMO drafts and KLTD version for creation and use by KAC. Summarize and report the status of FC’s monthly.
• Register Juhin’s for failure issues found that meet the criteria. Summarize failure data in Juhin sheets, communicate failure to responsible parties. Coordinate root cause analysis, confirm C/M actions, Field actions if applicable to resolve and close issue.
• Research field data (warranty claims, TSI/ETSI’s, etc.) to confirm quality issues and quantify seriousness. Facilitate action plan to countermeasure (C/M).  Communicate with KLTD. Mother plant, Component plants, Suppliers, etc. to get corrective action steps enacted and reduce/eliminate future failures.
• Coordinate failed parts recalls, conduct technical studies of parts, coordinate failed parts analysis with Suppliers, outside laboratories, and KLTD (Mother plants and Component plants), etc.
• Inspection support (test methods, inspection standards, acceptance criteria, actual conducting tests).
• Coordinate new model start-ups – document problems found – hold meetings and oversee issues to closure. Manage technical data needed for inspections, sign offs, and traceability (ie: Assembly Check Sheets) for all CMO production machines. Review Engineering changes as they are released to judge effect on QA documents.
• Other duties as required by Manager.

Qualifications/Requirements

• BS Degree in Engineering or equivalent is required. Knowledge of quality control methods is desired.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, assess their current situation and develop necessary means to foster improvement.
• Proficiency in software applications including SAP, Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power Point, at a minimum.
• Proficiency in the use of applied standards and practices. Ability to understand and use Komatsu Engineering Standards and drawings.
• A good personality and attitude are important for this job. You must be able to work and communicate effectively with all management, fellow staff, shop workers, suppliers, customers and other Komatsu America/Komatsu plants.
• Occasional travel to distributor or supplier locations, KAC Locations or Japan plants.  Proven leadership ability a plus.
• Must comply with all environmental, quality and Safety rules, practices and standards.

Additional Information