Quality Assurance Technician

This position will require access to ITAR and/or EAR controlled technical data, technology or source code, and requires that all individuals in this role be authorized to access such information.

General Description:

The Mill Room Quality Assurance Technician is an hourly, non-exempt employee who reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.  This position works under general supervision, requires attention to detail, and good organizational skills.  The Quality Assurance Technician shall be capable of reviewing, interpreting, and following technical procedures and specifications. Regular overtime may be required at times.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform lab testing on materials (rubber compound, hoses, composites, etc)
• Interact with manufacturing to support on time delivery
• Support quality assurance functions throughout the facility
• Maintain clean and organized work area (including accurate filing of records)
• Create and maintain a safe working environment in the Quality Lab

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school degree or equivalent
• Minimum three (3) years experience in quality assurance or physical testing environment preferred
• Technical document and drawing interpretation skills required
• Proficiency with standard measurement equipment. (calipers, mic’s, gages, etc)
• Good computer skills are required

Special Tasks and Focus Areas:

• Partner with Mill Room Supervisor to set initial Quality Lab schedule each day
• Ensure priorities (set by Mill Room Supervisor) are worked in the proper order and appropriate adjustments made as priorities change throughout the work day
• Initiate requisitions for outside testing as necessary
• Establish time standards for testing compounds and materials (cycle times) with support of engineering
• Ensure timely reporting of Quality Lab activities (e.g. - labor, product release, etc)
• Maintain Quality Lab materials and supply inventories
• Troubleshoot and report equipment issues for timely resolution
• Perform lab testing on materials, interpret results, and accurately report results (rubber compound, hoses, composites, etc.)
  • Perform all specimen prep
  • Physical property testing of rubber compounds and composites to ensure specification requirements are met
  • Mechanical testing on connectors and hoses
  • FTIR testing of materials (normal processing and investigations)
  • Aging and cycling tests
  • Adhesion and peel testing
  • Rheometer testing of compounds
  • Disconnect force and related evaluations on life support hardware
  • Shelf life extension testing
  • SPC data entry and interpretation using Minitab or other software
  • Other tests or duties as required to support the business

• Interact with manufacturing to support on time delivery
  • Generate and assemble document packages for shipments in accordance with Customer requirements
  • Provide timely updates on backlogs or processing issues
  • Request, review, generate, and approve certifications for components to specification requirements
  • Maintain adherence to material processing priorities (established by manufacturing). Negotiate “need dates” as needed based on workloads and established cycle times.
  • Identify opportunities to improve Lab efficiency/effectiveness and implement in coordination with Quality Leadership
  • Provide training to Millroom personnel that utilize Quality Lab equipment (e.g. – making plaques) as required
  • Work overtime as needed to support customer needs

• Support quality assurance functions throughout the facility
  • Assist engineering with development of compounds and processes
  • Support calibration of Mill Room gauges and equipment

• Maintain clean and organized work area and files (including filing of records)
  • Utilize 5S techniques to maintain organization and cleanliness of Quality Lab (equipment, counters, desks, floor, etc)
  • File testing records in a timely and organized manner for easy retrieval when needed
  • Ensure that internal and external documents are maintained (latest version available for use)

• Create and maintain a safe working environment in the Quality Lab
  • Monitor lab workers and visitor to ensure safe work practices are being used (e.g. – PPE used properly, cautions recognized, etc)
  • Identify unsafe work hazards or equipment conditions and notify Supervision of improvement options or submit safety near miss forms as required
  • Participate in safety investigations related to injuries or near misses in the Quality Lab
  • Support implementation of identified safety improvements

R.E. Darling Co., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration of employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as protected veteran, among other things, or status as qualified individual with disability