QUALITY ENGINEER I

Laars Heating Systems Company is a global leader in the boiler and water heater industry. Our products are designed and manufactured in the United States and we have earned a competitive advantage through our innovation and customer dedication. We have a talented team of Engineers, Designers, and Technicians, along with a new state-of-the-art R&D laboratory. Our focus is on new condensing boiler and heat pump water heater technology and the continued growth and success of our organization.

Laars Heating Systems is seeking a Quality Engineer 1 (QE1) who is responsible for driving measurable improvement in product quality and process performance across the boiler and water heater manufacturing operation. This role uses data analysis, sound engineering principles, and structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, A3, DMAIC, Six Sigma) to identify and eliminate the root causes of quality issues at their source.

A central focus of this position is to maintain a proactive, prevention-based posture and culture as opposed to a reactive, inspection-dependent quality model. The QE will work to limit reliance on incoming and fabrication inspection by strengthening upstream process control, statistical process monitoring, and supplier capability - ensuring quality is built into the process rather than caught at the end of it.

This position serves as a primary point of responsibility for both customer-facing and supplier-facing quality matters, partnering closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production, Procurement, Service, suppliers, and external customers. The QE acts as a cross-functional connector - translating field issues, supplier nonconformances, and process variation into practical, sustainable corrective actions that reduce scrap, rework, and warranty costs while improving throughput, delivery reliability, and the overall customer experience.

Role Responsibilities

Quality Engineering & Process Improvement

• Analyze quality, scrap, rework, and warranty data to identify trends, prioritize improvement opportunities, and quantify cost of poor quality (COPQ).
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving (5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, A3) for internal nonconformances, field failures, and customer complaints.
• Develop, implement, and maintain control plans, PFMEAs, and process control methods (SPC, gauge R&R, capability studies) to stabilize and improve manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production teams to design and validate process improvements, error-proofing (poka-yoke), and inspection methods that prevent defects rather than detect them downstream.
• Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans through to verified, sustained closure.

Incoming Inspection Reduction & Supplier Quality

• Lead efforts to reduce reliance on incoming inspection by qualifying supplier processes, implementing source inspection or certified supplier programs, and validating supplier process capability.
• Serve as the primary supplier quality contact: lead supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), supplier audits, and capability assessments.
• Collaborate with Procurement to evaluate and develop supplier quality performance, including onboarding new suppliers and managing ongoing supplier scorecards.
• Work with suppliers on PPAP/first article approval, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives tied to incoming material quality.

Customer Quality

• Act as the primary point of contact within the quality team for external customer quality concerns, field issues, and warranty trends, partnering with Service to investigate and resolve.
• Translate field and warranty data into actionable internal improvement projects.
• Support customer audits, quality documentation requests, and complaint resolution with timely, data-driven responses.
• Communicate quality performance, corrective actions, and improvement plans clearly to both internal stakeholders and external customers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work daily with Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production teams, Procurement, and Service to align on quality priorities and resolve issues collaboratively.
• Participate in new product introduction (NPI) and design change processes to ensure manufacturability and quality requirements are addressed early.
• Support internal and external audits and maintain relevant quality documentation and records.
• Work the quality inspectors to report on quality metrics (defect rates, scrap, rework, warranty, supplier performance) and present findings to leadership.

Success in this role will be measured by

• Reduction in COPQ (Scrap, Rework, Warranty) Month over Month
• Reduction in incoming inspection activities through Supplier capability improvements
• Closure rate and effectiveness of CAPA/SCAR (no repeat issues)
• Internal defect rates/ First Pass Yield improvements

Experience and Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in a quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or supplier quality role, preferably within a manufacturing environment (HVAC, appliance, heavy equipment, or similar regulated/mechanical product industry strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience applying structured root cause and problem-solving methodologies (8D, A3, 5-Why, DMAIC, Six Sigma).
• Working knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), measurement systems analysis (gauge R&R), and process capability studies (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience with supplier quality management, including supplier audits, SCARs, and PPAP or first article inspection processes.
• Familiarity with FMEA development and control plan creation.
• Experience working with ISO 9001 (or similar) quality management systems; experience with ASME, UL, or other boiler/water heater industry codes and standards is a plus.
• Strong data analysis skills, including comfort working in Excel and/or quality/statistical software (Minitab or equivalent).
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineers, production personnel, suppliers, and customers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and drive corrective actions to closure independently.

Education and Training

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Quality, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field) required; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) preferred, or willingness to obtain.
• Training or certification in core quality tools (FMEA, SPC, MSA, APQP/PPAP) preferred.