Position Summary:  The Quality Engineer Associate supports the Quality team in achieving Summit’s goal of Perfect Quality by assisting in the monitoring, documentation, and improvement of quality systems and processes. This role works closely with operations, manufacturing, and engineering teams to ensure products meet internal and customer expectations, as well as IPC standards for printed circuit boards.

Ideal for a candidate beginning their career in quality engineering or manufacturing, this position offers the opportunity to develop hands-on skills in quality systems, inspection, data analysis, and continuous improvement within a high-tech manufacturing environment.  The goal is to develop into a full Quality Engineer.

Qualifications:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactory. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Required Skills:

1. Responsibilities:

In-Process Quality Support

• Learn and conduct in-process inspections, quality checks, and test data collection
• Maintain accurate documentation for quality records, logs, and forms
• Support the calibration system and assist with calibration tracking
• Help monitor process performance using basic data collection and analysis tools
• Participate in internal audits and prepare data or records as needed

Documentation and Reporting

• Assist in maintaining document control procedures
• Support the generation of quality reports, charts, and metrics
• Help track nonconforming material and participate in root cause analysis
• Input and track Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and Supplier CARs (SCARs)

Process Improvement

• Support Quality Engineers in continuous improvement activities
• Help identify opportunities for reducing defects and improving yields through performing data analysis and area assessments.
• Assist with implementation and monitoring of statistical process control (SPC) where needed

Customer and Supplier Support

• Support customer quality surveys, tours, or audits as needed
• Assist with returned material analysis and simple failure analysis tasks
• Coordinate with outside test or lab services to support inspection processes

       2. Goals 

• Continuously provide assessments and work collaboratively to support improved process controls and yields. Develop measurement parameters to track progress.
• Work both individually and as part of a cross-functional team to support timely customer deliverables and inquiries.  

Education/Experience:

Required:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field – or equivalent experience in a manufacturing/quality environment
• Basic understanding of quality principles and manufacturing processes
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Willingness to learn technical standards (e.g., IPC) and quality systems
• Interest in working in a hands-on capacity with tools in the laboratory and manufacturing areas, as well as, in performing data analysis.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively across departments

Preferred:

• Prior internship or experience in a quality, manufacturing, or engineering role
• Familiarity with inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges, etc.)
• Exposure to ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems
• Understanding of SPC, basic statistics, or root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, Ishikawa)

 Physical Demands:

1. Employee may lift and/or move up to 25 lbs as required to perform duties.
2. Excellent concentration and must be able to remain focused in a dynamic fast-paced environment.  

ITAR Compliance Notice 

This position requires compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Under ITAR, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (e.g., "Green Card" holder), asylee, or refugee as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Applicants who do not meet this requirement may not be eligible for employment in this position. 

Summit Interconnect is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is valued and respected. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic