Quality Engineer Jobs in Athens, GA (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Quality Engineer is responsible for driving product and process quality through active engagement with manufacturing teams, structured problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives. This hands-on role is primarily floor-based, ensuring compliance with control plans, responding to quality concerns, and leading corrective/preventive action activities. The Quality Engineer serves as a key liaison between production, engineering, and customers to uphold SMI’s Quality Management System in accordance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Authorities

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead or facilitate structured root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, DMAIC, and Fishbone diagrams.
• Drive the development and implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Coordinate cross-functional investigations for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and audit findings.

Quality Assurance Oversight

• Monitor compliance with control plans, process sheets, inspection instructions, and quality alerts.
• Partner with production leads and supervisors to ensure that quality checks are executed properly and escalated when necessary.
• Review and approve inspection and test plans, work instructions, and quality criteria for production processes.

Continuous Improvement & Process Capability

• Collect and analyze quality data (e.g. scrap, rework, customer returns, SPC) to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Participate in Kaizen activities, PFMEA reviews, and process audits to enhance product quality and process reliability.
• Support implementation of process changes and validate impact on quality KPIs.

Customer & Supplier Interface

• Lead PPAP development and submission, ensuring compliance with customer-specific requirements and on-time approval.
• Own and maintain Control Plans and PFMEA, ensuring alignment with process changes and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage and respond to customer corrective actions (CARs) through customer portals, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant closure.
• Lead customer complaint investigations, driving 8D / root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Support customer quality audits and data submissions (PPAP, FAIR, ISIR) as required.
• Assist in supplier quality issues by initiating SCARs, performing incoming inspection reviews, and collaborating on resolution.
• Represent the quality department in customer or third-party audits as required.

Documentation & QMS Support

• Maintain and improve documentation in accordance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and internal procedures.
• Review and approve NCRs, CAPAs, audit reports, and quality alerts.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing evidence and participating in interviews.

Authorities

• Authority to stop production in response to quality issues or nonconformities.
• Authority to initiate and approve NCRs, SCARs, CAPAs, and quality alerts.
• Authority to approve product release, deviation requests, and rework disposition in collaboration with engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or equivalent technical field.
• Minimum 2–5 years in a Quality Engineering role in a manufacturing environment (composites or aerospace preferred).
• Proficient in problem-solving methodologies and tools (8D, DMAIC, FMEA, SPC, etc.).
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, PFMEA, and MSA required.
• Strong communication skills, with ability to lead meetings and interact with all levels of the organization.

Mayco International and Affiliate Companies is a fast growing, technologically driven manufacturing company. Our culture is built upon our values of vision, integrity, pride, and family. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are looking for awesome individuals to join our growing team at SMI Composites!

SMI Composites is at the forefront of incorporating innovative composite technologies into the automotive industry. We work with our customers to explore and develop the best possible composite solutions for their new and existing programs, with multiple quality assurance checkpoints and on-time delivery.