The quality engineer III provides quality engineering leadership for pump products, manufacturing processes, suppliers, and quality systems. This position independently manages multiple projects and functional areas, applies advanced quality tools to prevent defects, reduces cost of quality, improves reliability, and ensure compliance with customer and company requirements. The role works closely with engineering, production, materials, service, and suppliers to drive continuous improvement and support plant quality objectives.

• Provide quality engineering ownership for pump products, manufacturing processes, suppliers, and quality-system.
• Lead cross-functional root-cause investigations and corrective actions involving internal defects, supplier issues, service concerns, product failures, and customer returns.
• Apply SPC, FMEA, Gage R&R, capability studies, and other quality tools to improve performance.
• Analyze quality and warranty data to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Lead efforts to reduce defects, rework, scrap, external returns, production interruptions, and overall cost of poor quality.
• Work with Product Engineering and Manufacturing to ensure pump designs, drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes meet applicable quality requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and quality training to plant personnel.
• Support the continued development and implementation of the plant Quality Management System.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree in engineering or other technical discipline with 5+ years of experience
• Strong knowledge of root-cause analysis and corrective-action methodologies.
• Working knowledge of SPC, process capability, Pareto analysis, Gage R&R, FMEA, control plans, First Article Inspection.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive assignments through completion without direct authority.
• Strong project-management, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and statistical or quality-analysis software.
• Ability to work effectively in a self-directed and team-oriented environment.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA or MS degree in related field
• Experience with pump stations, mechanical assemblies, electrical controls, or related systems.
• Experience in a low-volume, high-mix or engineered-to-order manufacturing environment.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training or certification.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

Rain Bird is an Equal Opportunity Employer