Job Description
At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.” As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way. We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.
The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together, we always look for a better way, and we create possibilities.
Interested in joining us on our journey?
The Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) leads quality activities for new parts, new processes, equipment installations, and New Product Introductions (NPI) across U.S.-based refrigeration manufacturing sites. This role is responsible for ensuring new equipment, processes, and product changes are properly qualified, successfully launched, and transitioned to the plant with sustainable long-term ownership.
The AQE serves as a key technical resource for manufacturing quality, applying strong engineering, problem-solving, data analysis, and refrigeration assembly knowledge to address complex quality and process challenges. The ideal candidate is highly analytical and uses data-driven insights to improve process capability, reduce manufacturing variation, and deliver sustainable quality improvements.
This role primarily supports plant operations in LaFayette, GA, with travel to supplier and manufacturing locations as needed.
Position
Advanced Quality Engineer- Cooking
Location
USA, LaFayette, GA
How You'll Create Possibilities
New Product Introduction & Launch
- Lead quality activities for new products, parts, processes, and equipment from development through production launch.
- Serve as the process quality expert for assigned equipment, parts, joints, and manufacturing processes.
- Partner with Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME), Design Engineering, Plant Quality, suppliers, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful and sustainable launches.
- Lead cross-functional PFMEA activities to identify process risks and ensure appropriate mitigation actions are implemented prior to launch.
- Develop and execute qualification plans for new equipment and manufacturing processes in partnership with AME and equipment suppliers.
- Review equipment qualification results and provide technical recommendations and approval for equipment readiness prior to shipment and installation.
- Travel to supplier and manufacturing sites for planning meetings, equipment runoffs, production trials, and launch support.
- Act as a liaison between Product Design and Manufacturing to identify and resolve quality concerns early in the development process.
- Ensure new processes and products are fully transitioned to plant ownership with appropriate documentation, controls, and standard work in place.
Equipment & Process Qualification
- Own and lead equipment and process qualification activities within the assigned area of responsibility.
- Provide technical leadership in the investigation, development, procurement, installation, and implementation of manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Qualify in-house equipment with minimal direction and ensure equipment is capable and ready for production use.
- Lead dimensional and process capability studies to validate equipment and process performance.
- Execute drive, strip, and torque studies on new joints to validate capability, performance, and process robustness.
- Identify opportunities to improve process capability, reduce variation, and establish sustainable manufacturing controls.
- Partner with equipment suppliers to resolve quality and capability issues prior to production launch.
Metrology & Measurement Systems
- Lead gage development for production, including specifications, design reviews, supplier coordination, and final buyoff.
- Facilitate gage kickoff meetings with AME, Plant Quality, Design Engineering, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
- Use CMM, 3D scanning, hand gages, and other measurement systems to analyze and validate parts and processes.
- Perform dimensional analysis and communicate findings to Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and leadership.
- Interpret GEA technical drawings, including Model-Based Definition (MBD), GD&T, and linear dimensions, and ensure quality plans align with design requirements.
- Perform part scanning, CMM analysis, caliper measurements, and other dimensional evaluations as needed. Additional CMM technician support may be available for larger measurement activities.
- Identify measurement system or dimensional concerns and drive appropriate corrective actions.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Drive Cost of Quality (COQ) improvements, including scrap reduction, yield improvement, concession reduction, damage reduction, and service call prevention.
- Use data analysis and structured problem-solving techniques to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Monitor process performance and capability to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Partner with manufacturing teams and hourly employees to troubleshoot process issues and implement improvements.
- Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to improve quality, process capability, and manufacturing performance.
- Develop and maintain appropriate quality controls to prevent recurrence of manufacturing issues.
Manufacturing Readiness & Documentation
- Partner with Team Leaders and manufacturing teams to develop job instructions, define critical process requirements, and establish standard work.
- Develop and maintain Manufacturing Control Instructions (MCIs), Manufacturing Control Plans (MCPs), forms, and other required Quality Management System (QMS) documentation.
- Ensure process documentation and quality controls are established prior to production launch and maintained throughout the life of the process.
- Ensure applicable quality and process requirements are aligned with ISO standards and GEA quality systems.
- Support the transition of new processes and equipment from Advanced Manufacturing into sustainable plant operations.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to manufacturing and quality teams as needed.
What You'll Bring to Our Team
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field.
- 2+ years of experience in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, or a similar technical role.
- Experience defining, implementing, troubleshooting, or improving manufacturing processes.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to make sound technical decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional teams, including manufacturing and hourly production employees.
- Strong project management, planning, organization, and follow-through skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably appliance or refrigeration manufacturing.
- Experience with CMM, 3D scanning, metrology systems, or other dimensional measurement technologies.
- Experience programming and/or interpreting CMM and 3D scanning equipment.
- Experience with PolyWorks or similar dimensional analysis software.
- Experience with vision inspection systems, including Cognex or Keyence.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification.
- Experience with Minitab or other statistical analysis tools.
- Knowledge of PFMEA, Control Plans, process capability studies, measurement systems, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience interpreting GD&T, MBD, and engineering drawings.
- Experience with torque, drive, strip, or joint capability studies.
Working Conditions
- Role is based primarily at the LaFayette, GA manufacturing facility.
- Up to 10% domestic and international travel may be required to support supplier equipment runoffs, production trials, and other launch activities.
- Work is performed in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses and hearing protection, is required.
- Frequent walking throughout the manufacturing facility is required.
- Primarily first shift; however, occasional off-shift and weekend support may be required to support equipment launches, production trials, or critical manufacturing issues.
Our Culture
Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.
This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.
By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.
GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.
GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e-mail to ask.recruiting@geappliances.com