Quality Engineer II

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $4B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

• What We Offer:
• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry-leading company!

The Quality Engineer drives systematic defect elimination and strengthens product, process, and quality-system controls. This role uses data, statistical methods, structured problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to reduce variation, prevent recurrence, improve customer satisfaction, and deliver measurable improvements in quality, yield, productivity, and Cost of Poor Quality.

The Quality Engineer will be a member of the operational excellence team, reporting to the OpEx Director, and will be accountable for delivering tangible results in support of business plan objectives by implementing improvements, supporting new product industrialization, improving capacity utilization, and managing continuous improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

• Defect reduction: Analyze defect, scrap, rework, yield, customer complaint, and process data. Lead investigations using DMAIC, Shainin Red X/FACTUAL, 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and other structured problem-solving methods.
• Corrective action: Manage containment, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, effectiveness verification, and lessons learned through closure.
• SPC and capability: Develop and maintain control charts, sampling plans, reaction plans, and process capability studies including Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk.
• Measurement systems: Evaluate, maintain, and improve manufacturing measurement systems through Gage R&R, bias, linearity, stability, resolution, and measurement agreement studies to ensure reliable process monitoring and product-acceptance decisions.
• Process controls and risk: Assess and mitigate product and process quality risks. Develop and align process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and escalation plans.
• Customer and supplier quality: Lead customer complaint investigations, communicate technical findings, support supplier corrective actions, and trend recurring concerns.
• Quality systems and audits: Support ISO 9001 and applicable customer or industry requirements. Perform process-based internal audits, support external audits, and close findings with objective evidence.
• New product industrialization: Support new product industrialization, as required, including process qualification, validation, capability assessment, and production readiness.
• Continuous improvement: Lead cross-functional projects to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and productivity. Quantify and validate project benefits, including reductions in Cost of Poor Quality.
• Quality reporting: Track, analyze, and prepare reports for internal quality performance metrics to identify trends, communicate risks, and prioritize improvement opportunities. Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and traceability of reported quality data.
• Training and leadership: Coach operators, technicians, engineers, and support teams in structured problem solving, defect prevention, statistical methods, and quality-system practices.
• Safety: Adhere to and promote the environmental, health & safety policies of AFL.

Personal Qualities

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a highly process-oriented approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in both individual and group settings.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Results-oriented professional able to solve complex problems and implement change.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Quality, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing, quality, process engineering, or continuous improvement experience.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional defect reduction, root cause, corrective-action, or process-improvement projects.
• Practical experience with structured problem solving, SPC, capability analysis, MSA, PFMEA, control plans, and process-based auditing.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 or another applicable quality management system.
• Strong statistical, graphical, written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma Green Belt, Shainin Journeyman, or comparable certification.
• Hands-on experience with Minitab, Excel, Power BI, Power Query, SQL, or Red X Tracker.
• Experience with ERP and MES platforms such as Oracle or Plex.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949, AS9100, APQP, PPAP, supplier quality, or automated inspection systems.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a combination of office and manufacturing environments.
• Must be able to comply with applicable personal protective equipment and site safety requirements.
• Must be able to support off-shift or weekend manufacturing operations when business conditions require.
• Travel of up to 10% may be required.