Quality Engineering Specialist - Ditch Witch

Who Are We?

At Ditch Witch in Perry, Oklahoma we pride ourselves on being the leading manufacturer in the underground pipe and cable market. Our plant in Perry stands out because it's a place for people to learn and thrive. We enjoy coming to work because our plant is our community, we see our teammates not only as co-workers but as neighbors and family members. All of our locations build the intricate network of machinery that contributes to The Toro Company. We contribute to building communities, cities, and the world.  We invite you to apply and join a team of highly skilled, and highly passionate people.

The Quality Specialist or Quality Engineer facilitates the Advanced Product Quality Planning for Ditch Witch® products in New Product Development (NPD).  He or she also facilitates/leads various APQP processes and assists functional areas with other NPD processes.  This role will facilitate, develop, implement, maintain and improve the quality of new product by proactively planning and deploying tools necessary to launch high quality products. Position is responsible to work with product development teams, suppliers, and manufacturing to develop portions of the comprehensive Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) on new and existing products. Advanced Product Quality Planning consist of identifying key components, assemblies, and characteristics, evaluating processes and their capabilities; identify risks (Risk Assessment-FMEA’s), deploying corrective actions and validating products prior to their release for distribution.

What Will You Do?

In order to grow and build a successful career with The Toro Company, you will be responsible for: 

• Facilitate the overall development & deployment New Product Development (NPD) at Ditch Witch®.

• Responsible to ensure APQP deliverables are met during NPD stage-gate development process, including DFM, DFS, PFMEA, RQA’s, FGR’s, Part Planning, DPAR and/or PPAP Prototype & Pilot Builds and production release.

• Facilitate product team meetings and provide input to ensure that the quality planning process is followed during the development of new products and maintenance of existing products.

• Facilitates or Co-Facilitates DFM, DFS, PFMEA, RQA’s, FGR’s, Part Planning, DPAR and/or PPAP.

• Proficient and risk determination and facilitation of risk management activities.

• Assess and communicate machine risk assessments

• Support Engineering/Compliance in warranty and safety related issues

• Support Engineering Test Group in PV&V/DPV&R planning for machines as well as parts

• Lead efforts to establish reliability and durability targets in NPD and communicate current machine levels

• Detailed participate/facilitation in Design Reviews

• Review and interpret reports such as FEA, CFD, elements of the DVP&R

• Versed in Design of Experiments philosophy and familiar with Full Factorial, Taguchi Array and screening/blocking techniques

• Understanding and applying criteria to determine Key Characteristics

• Mentor Quality Technicians in the APQP process and tools

• Investigate and perform other necessary activities to qualify key product and process capabilities and/or report on potential or known risks associated with key components, assemblies, and suppliers.

• Develop working relationships with manufacturing and appropriate suppliers to develop, implement, and audit comprehensive quality plans for components, products, and services to insure they meet the requirements of Ditch Witch and its customers.

• This role may be specialized focusing on APQP activities for parts, projects and/or product (machines).

• Report on the APQP process, through process monitoring, validation, data analysis, and use of advanced quality plans.

• Lead and participate in corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement activities; including identification, documenting, tracking, and completion of required activities that may be assigned by product development teams.

• Provide and maintain quality reports, records and plans for the supported product lines, teams, and other associated quality activities.

What Do You Need?

To be considered for this role, an individual should meet the following minimal requirements: 

• Postsecondary education/degree/certification etc. preferred, but not required for Specialist and 1-3 years or more of quality related experience.

• Engineer 1-Degree in engineering required with 0-2 years quality related experience.

• Exhibit appropriate basic mechanical skills and aptitude.

• Must be competent with product and processes for supported area.

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or higher certification obtained within 6 months of start date.

• Proficient with AIAG APQP standard concepts, practices, and procedures.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Excellent presentation and teaming skills.

• Able to utilize available resources to conduct technical research.

• Able to access, interpret and utilize international, national and corporate standards

• Excellent computer skills (SAP, data entry, MS Office including Excel and Word).

• Model manipulation in ProE, Windchill, Solid Edge required.

• Drawing, standard and specification reading, and comprehension required.

• Strong GD&T skills desired.

• Demonstrate excellent writing skills, including research, organization, writing, formatting, and editing.

• Have a good work record, including indications of strong self-motivation, high productivity, reliable attendance, attention to quality, ability to learn new skills, and a cordial, cooperative personality.

Other Job-Related Components: (e.g., Physical demands, working conditions, travel)

• Regular, continuous use of a personal computer.

• Office environment with periodic trips to the shop areas and occasional work outdoors. The shop environment includes physical hazards such as powered vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, sharp objects, and moving machinery. Outdoor work may include observing or operating equipment at test fields or construction sites, in all kinds of weather conditions.

• Rapidly changing workloads, priorities, and deadlines.

• Common work weeks of up to 50 hours.

• Periodic travel, less than 25%

What Can We Give You?   

At Ditch Witch, we are always working to make sure our employees know just how valued they are. In addition to a competitive salary, an affordable and top tier medical/dental/vision plan, 401k, and many other great benefits – Ditch Witch offers employees at our Perry, OK location a variety of perks, including: 

Dress for your day - We know you're more productive when you're comfortable, which is why employees are encouraged to take advantage of our casual, office-plant blended environment.

Wellness - In addition to physical wellbeing, TTC offers a variety of mental health, financial health, and other types of resources to every full-time employee.

Growth Opportunities – TTC prides itself on giving our employees the chance to grow their careers. Tuition reimbursement, opportunities to move into new areas of interest, and promotion opportunities are a few examples. 

Competitive Salary – The pay range takes into account skills, experience, education, and location. It is not common to be hired at or near the top of the range; compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the annual pay range is between ​$56936​ - ​$81950​. Cash compensation is one piece of our competitive total rewards package. If you need to, you can access your pay early with the One@Work app, formerly the Even app.

#LI-Onsite

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.