What does a quality engineer do?
The Quality Engineer in the Wood Industry ensures that wood-based products manufactured by the company meet the required standards. Their role involves implementing quality control and monitoring procedures, measuring the performance of production tools, and assessing the impact of maintenance activities. They lead processes within a continuous improvement approach to optimise production efficiency and product quality, ensuring that each stage of production complies with internal standards and industry regulations.
DUTIES OF A Quality Engineer in the wood industry
One of their primary responsibilities is to design and implement quality control systems. This includes developing detailed protocols for testing and evaluating raw materials, production processes, and finished products. By conducting these tests, the engineer identifies deviations from the standards and takes the necessary corrective actions to ensure product conformity.
This is particularly important in the wood industry, where factors such as wood moisture levels, strength, and durability must be strictly controlled to meet safety and environmental standards.
The Quality Engineer also works closely with other departments, such as production, maintenance, and research and development, to integrate quality requirements into each stage of the manufacturing process. They collaborate with production teams to ensure that the tools and machines used in processing are functioning optimally and that any defects or inefficiencies are addressed through regular maintenance and updates. This helps prevent production delays, reduce waste, and improve the quality of the final products.
Additionally, the engineer monitors the performance of production tools through key performance indicators to evaluate machine efficiency and production quality. They also assess the impact of maintenance on production, ensuring that repairs or updates improve performance without compromising product quality. In this way, they help the company maintain a high level of production while minimising downtime and costly errors.
The Quality Engineer is also committed to continuous improvement by analysing production data to identify patterns or recurring issues, implementing preventive measures, and fostering a culture of quality within the company. By continuously refining processes and systems, the engineer helps the company not only meet but exceed industry standards, offering reliable, safe, and competitive products on the market.
Furthermore, the Quality Engineer ensures that the company complies with all relevant regulations and standards, whether local, national, or international. This includes staying informed about the latest industry certifications and compliance requirements, as well as conducting regular audits to ensure that products and processes remain compliant.
They also manage relationships with external certification bodies and ensure that products meet eco-label or sustainable sourcing standards where applicable. Their expertise is crucial to maintaining the company’s reputation for producing high-quality, environmentally friendly wood products.
During the engineering program at ENSTIB, it is possible to acquire the necessary skills to become a Quality Engineer.