New Product Introduction (NPI) / Quality Assurance Engineer

Overview

iDirect Government, a wholly owned subsidiary of STEi iDirect, Inc., delivers secure satellite-based voice, video and data applications with anytime and anywhere connectivity in the air, at sea and on land. iDirect Government’s advanced satellite IP solutions are used for critical ISR, airborne, maritime and COTM communications to support logistics, situational awareness, disaster recovery and emergency response. Building on more than 18 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect Government provides the most bandwidth-efficient, scalable and highly-secure platform to meet specialized applications of multiple federal, state and local government agencies, including the Department of Defense.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This is a key role that requires a blend of both project management and hands on engagement on quality activities in a design and development engineering environment.  Position will also be very engaged with product manufacturing, testing, and failure analysis performed at contract manufacturers.  The role will report up to the Director of Professional Services and Training and will interface directly with Product Management, Design Engineering, Supply Chain, Test Engineering, Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and IT to effectively improve iDirectGov product and process quality and business processes. This position will manage quality activities across the full life cycle of the product including quality requirements planning, development, design verification, new product introduction, manufacturing, customer returns and customer corrective actions. As well as support ongoing ISO QMS audits and continuous improvement activities.

If you are ready for the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards that come with working in a high-energy, fast-paced environment, then this is the job for you!

This position is based in Herndon, VA.

Responsibilities

• Point of contact for all Quality elements across the full lifecycle of products including requirements, design, NPI, manufacturing, and customer corrective actions.
• Identify, plan and communicate project scope, schedule, milestones and risks and to Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Sourcing, Quality Assurance and contract manufacturing teams design phase through implementation and production release.
• Ensure project deliverables are met in accordance with established processes.
• Lead recurring project team meetings and executive management reviews.
• Conduct schedule and budget performance variance analysis.
• Drive process and product continual improvement by utilizing Lean Six Sigma methods (Fault trees, process mapping, 5S, kaizen, variation reduction, FMEA, Gauge R&R, Capability studies).
• Interface effectively with contract manufacturers to investigation manufacturing quality issues on new production as well as evaluate failure analysis results on field returns.
• Perform technical first article inspection or out of box audits and source audits at warehouse or supplier when required.
• Maintain and drive continuous improvements to the quality lab workspace.
• Identify, source, clean, organize and present relevant manufacturing and defect datasets, extracting meaningful metrics, risks, and trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hardware, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in quality engineering in electronics field; experience in a New Product Introduction (NPI) engineering development environment is preferred.
• Direct work experience with printed circuit board products including manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrable knowledge of operations, use, configuration and programming of RF and electronic test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal analyzers, power meters, data-loggers, etc).
• Experience using business applications including Product Lifecycle Management (AGILE), JIRA, MS OUTLOOK, SHAREPOINT environments, MS Power Applications; ability to program scripts / routines is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong customer service and consultation skills.
• The ability to make decisions, determine actions, and develop processes, guidelines, and training aids to implement actions or deviations in manufacturing or engineering environments.
• Ability to operate independently within established methodologies and guidelines balancing competing priorities as needed.
• Expertise using project scheduling software (MS Project) as well as proven experience authoring project management plans, schedules, and risk registers.
• Ability to proactively identify and master new skills to meet responsibilities

Clearance

• Active DoD clearance or ability to obtain a DoD clearance

Travel

• Ability to travel 5%-15% per year

iDirect Government is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or protected veteran status. 

Responsibilities

- Point of contact for all Quality elements across the full lifecycle of products including requirements, design, NPI, manufacturing, and customer corrective actions.
- Identify, plan and communicate project scope, schedule, milestones and risks and to Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Sourcing, Quality Assurance and contract manufacturing teams design phase through implementation and production release.
- Ensure project deliverables are met in accordance with established processes.
- Lead recurring project team meetings and executive management reviews.
- Conduct schedule and budget performance variance analysis.
- Drive process and product continual improvement by utilizing Lean Six Sigma methods (Fault trees, process mapping, 5S, kaizen, variation reduction, FMEA, Gauge R&R, Capability studies).
- Interface effectively with contract manufacturers to investigation manufacturing quality issues on new production as well as evaluate failure analysis results on field returns.
- Perform technical first article inspection or out of box audits and source audits at warehouse or supplier when required.
- Maintain and drive continuous improvements to the quality lab workspace.
- Identify, source, clean, organize and present relevant manufacturing and defect datasets, extracting meaningful metrics, risks, and trends.