Junior Quality Engineer

About Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG)

Smartrend Manufacturing Group Inc., based in Manitoba, is rapidly expanding with a focus on enhancing safety in the school bus industry and lowering emissions in electric vehicle charging. Through its various divisions, SMG innovates patented technologies that deliver significant impact across multiple sectors.

Our core values include:

• People: Valuing our unique team as our greatest asset.
• Passion: Driven by heartfelt commitment expressed through our actions.
• Priority: Always placing the customer first.
• Partnership: Building collaborative relationships internally and externally.

We foster an environment that recognizes dedication and encourages innovation and teamwork. Join us to bring your ambitions to life and open pathways for growth.

Position Overview

The Junior Quality Engineer will assist with building, implementing, and refining quality standards and inspection procedures to ensure consistent product and process quality throughout manufacturing. This role collaborates with quality teams and other departments supporting root cause analyses, corrective actions, inspections, supplier quality, and continuous improvements. It is tailored for early-career professionals aiming to develop expertise with ISO 9001, IATF 16949 standards, quality tools, statistical data analysis, and manufacturing quality processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and update quality standards and inspection criteria securing product and process consistency.
• Carry out inspections of incoming materials, in-process quality checks, and final product audits to sustain quality levels.
• Engage in root cause analysis and corrective/preventive measures addressing defects and enhancing outcomes.
• Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve supplier quality and spearhead continuous improvements.
• Support activities ensuring ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and other quality management system compliance.
• Contribute to failure analysis, process validation, and projects aiming to boost manufacturing performance and product quality.
• Assist supplier development efforts including audits, corrective follow-ups, and documentation control.
• Define and maintain Critical to Quality (CTQ) benchmarks aligning manufacturing controls with client and regulatory demands.
• Help integrate and optimize automated inspection systems and quality data management processes.
• Analyze quality metrics to identify trends, recurring defects, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Apply foundational statistical tools and metrics to enable data-driven decisions and operations enhancement.
• Collaborate across engineering, production, and supply chain functions to elevate product and process quality.
• Advise team members on quality requirements, inspection methods, and continuous improvement best practices.
• Additional asset: Experience with CAD software, designing quality fixtures, or 3D printing.

Success Indicators

• Consistent maintenance of quality standards across all products and processes.
• Timely identification and escalation of quality concerns with effective corrective actions implementation.
• Developing strong partnerships with suppliers and internal teams to enhance quality.
• Compliance assurance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and related standards.
• Ensuring materials and finished goods meet or exceed quality and customer standards.
• Driving process improvements that boost manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and performance.
• Aligning CTQ criteria with customer expectations and regulatory frameworks.
• Advancing automated inspection and quality system applications.
• Leveraging metrics and analyses to support continuous quality enhancements.
• Effective cross-department collaboration to solve quality issues and improve operations.
• Promoting accountability and adherence to quality standards within teams.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in engineering, quality management, manufacturing, or related disciplines.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, Six Sigma, and Lean principles.
• 1 to 2 years’ experience in quality, manufacturing, or engineering environments; internships or co-op programs also considered.
• Knowledge of Root Cause Analysis and CAPA methods to aid problem solving and corrective initiatives.
• Experience or exposure to vision systems or automated inspection technology is advantageous.
• Understanding of CTQ development aligned with quality requirements from clients or regulators.
• Baseline grasp of inspection methods across incoming, in-process, and final stages.
• Ability to interpret quality data using basic statistical approaches for improvement purposes.
• Proficiency in quality tools such as FMEA, CAPA, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Strong analytical mindset, problem-solving aptitude, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Effective communicator and team collaborator with a strong eagerness to learn and grow.
• Exposure to quality management software and reporting tools is a plus.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Comprehensive group benefits plan.
• Health Care Spending Account fully paid by employer.
• Generous paid time off including vacation and sick days.
• Company holiday shutdown from Christmas through New Year’s.
• Employer-matched RRSP retirement savings plan.

Additional Information

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. We value every application and appreciate your interest in joining our team.