Job Title: Senior Special Process Engineer
Reporting to: Head of Quality
Direct Reports: Special Process Engineer
Purpose of Role:
The Senior Special Process Engineer serves as the definitive Subject Matter Expert (SME) and technical owner for all special processes at SA Thermal Engineering (SATE), including Non-Conventional Machining, Welding, Chemical Processing, Heat Treatment, and NDT. This role provides strategic and hands-on oversight for the entire process lifecycle: from machine/plant qualification and Nadcap/customer accreditations to operator certification and complex engineering support. As a key member of the Extended Leadership Team, you will drive operational excellence, manage capital improvements, and lead the development of the special process engineering function.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintenance of all Nadcap and customer special process approvals, including audit accountability, non-conformance management, deviation/concession compilation and implementation of special process improvements.
- Keeping up to date regarding special process requirements, ensuring all internal procedures are aligned with customer and Nadcap requirements.
- Create/implement internal special process audit plans, including the review and disposition of NCR’s / findings.
- Lead investigations into high-cost quality non-conformances regarding the special processes and support similar projects within the engineering department.
- Creating, maintaining and approving all internal documentation related to the special processes, e.g. procedures, data sheets, inspection methods
- Direct involvement in the development of special process control through attendance at Nadcap meetings as a Supplier Task Group member.
- Support the Head of Quality regarding customer quality issues (i.e. NoE’s) and take the lead on the resultant problem-solving projects.
- REACH management, including sub-contract processes, and the approval of changes to the special processes where safety concerns are identified.
- Review and approval of all changes for special processes, including disposition of ‘return to service’ forms regarding maintenance of special process equipment.
- Process owner and key contact for all matters related to special processes, including coordinating with supporting external parties (e.g. NDT level 3) if needed.
- Supporting Quality in process audits - internal, subcontractor, customer and 3rd party (Nadcap), responding to queries on specialist areas of responsibility
- External Stakeholder management: External level 3 NDT specialist, Nadcap auditors, and customer special process technical subject matter experts.
- Leading and driving continuous improvement initiatives (efficiency, quality) and staying on top of technological evolutions
- Supporting NPI projects as Special Process lead
- Advisor to the Material Review Board (MRB) for special process-related topics as required.
- Ensuring that 'best practice' engineering and production techniques are used
- Leading, managing and developing the Special Process Engineer, overseeing their work activities and performance.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to assist in the development of special process engineers
- Provide input to strategic, operational and resource planning as part of the extended leadership team.
- Recommend improvements that may require capex approval or be in future budgets and provide supporting financials
- Deputise for Head of Quality
Company Statement: This job description is not intended to establish a total definition of a job but to outline duties. This job description will be amended at the discretion of management.