Quality Special Process Engineer

Company Overview

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, serves as the Tata Group's strategic aerospace and defense division. As a key player in India’s defense industry, TASL specializes in aerostructures, airborne systems, missiles, radars, and military mobility, partnering with prominent international OEMs to pioneer advancements in defense manufacturing.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and finalize the scope for process qualification efforts.
• Analyze contractual documents and technical datasheets to determine applicable test and inspection methods as well as relevant quality standards.
• Develop industrialization qualification plans in collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Monitor progress and conduct timely reviews of qualification plans, addressing challenges proactively.
• Liaise with Mechanical Engineering (Special Process) teams to review requirements for new processes and equipment.
• Coordinate with customer technical contacts and supply chain quality management for resolving technical issues and tracking qualification statuses.
• Lead technical manufacturing and test method audits with prime contractors for initial qualifications.
• Act as the primary interface to customers, overseeing weekly reviews, technical discussions, and generating root cause analysis and closure of customer-required actions.
• Review and finalize internal procedures related to new programs, including hardware interface and laboratory protocols.
• Prepare and assess technical queries and approved deviations in conjunction with customers.
• Develop and review test programs for first-time process qualifications.
• Compile and submit industrial qualification dossiers to clients to obtain necessary certifications.
• Classify processes including special vs non-special and identify manufacturing, test, and inspection methods accurately.

Key Skills and Responsibilities Related to Laboratory Management

• Oversee captive laboratory activities including management, conducting active solution analyses, and performing regular internal and external testing.
• Ensure timely participation in Production Test Plans (PTP) per QTML standards, finalize applicable kits, execute tests, and upload results on the PTP portal.
• Act as the final reviewer for test methods and solution analysis protocols.
• Conduct surprise inspections and assessments of laboratory operations to verify conformity and effectiveness.
• Initiate and manage the addition of new testing capabilities within the laboratory setup.
• Manage budget allocation during Annual Operating Planning (AOP) for laboratory improvement initiatives.
• Troubleshoot issues related to bath and laboratory technical aspects.
• Coordinate customer audits by defining scope and jointly agreeing on test method identification.
• Develop audit demonstration strategies with stakeholders and obtain formal customer agreements.
• Serve as the single point of contact during audit execution and for acceptance of audit reports.
• Negotiate with customers on non-conformance resolutions and critical issue handling.
• Ensure timely closure of action plans to maintain approvals.
• Authorize technical coordinators and receiving inspection managers where applicable.
• Generate, review, and approve industrial compliance documentation.

Preferred Experience and NADCAP Audits

• Identify applicable NADCAP checklists and ensure usage of the latest revisions.
• Complete and timely upload of NADCAP checklists on the NADCAP portal.
• Review audit advisories and coordinate their implementation.
• Facilitate auditor logistics and provide necessary facilities for NADCAP audits.
• Lead internal audit teams and oversee execution quality during NADCAP audits.
• Achieve formal scope sign-off with PRI auditors.
• Collaborate with staff engineers to perform root cause analyses and ensure timely resolution of non-conformances and critical issues.
• Act as the primary contact to secure reaccreditation for NADCAP commodities.
• Lead corporate-level audits and coordinate closure of resulting non-conformances.

Opportunity Statement

This role entrusts a single point of responsibility for maintaining all special process approvals, including both customer and NADCAP certifications. It includes management of weekly customer communications and diligent execution of agreed action items.