Quality Engineer III

About INOVIO

INOVIO is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing DNA medicines to help treat and protect people from HPV-related diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. INOVIO's technology optimizes the design and delivery of innovative DNA medicines that teach the body to manufacture its own disease-fighting tools. For more information, visit www.inovio.com.

Job summary

The Quality Engineer III is an onsite position and very hands-on with Quality System elements such as NCMR's, CAPA's, Batch (DHR) release, change orders, drawing review, quality inspection records, and product disposition. The Quality Engineer III is responsible for developing, maintaining and analyzing supplier quality systems and procedures to ensure compliance with FDA regulations, corporate directives, ISO 13485 standards and company strategies. This position is also responsible for Quality input, technical support, conducting investigations, and providing guidance for Manufacturing, Engineering, and Regulatory Affairs, especially as related to product and components from suppliers.

This position is responsible for performing investigations and inspections as necessary and identifying and implementing quality assurance testing models for analysis of raw materials, materials in process, and finished products. The Quality Engineer III assists in developing quality control policies and evaluates production challenges and determining improvement opportunities.

Essential job functions and duties

• Develop and implement quality assurance protocols for mechanicals systems, components and products testing.
• Conduct inspections, tests, and audits to ensure compliance with internal and external quality regulations/standards (e.g., FDA's 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485 & ISO 9001, etc.)
• Leads root cause analysis of defects and drive corrective actions.
• Perform GD & T evaluations on tolerance stack ups.
• Conduct component validations at suppliers and internally, including writing comprehensive protocols and reports based on statistical analysis.
• Lead and evaluate suppliers through on-site audits to ensure compliance with regulatory, FDA, GMP and ISO standards, reporting audit findings and overseeing corrective actions.
• Conduct supplier performance metrics, including defect rates and quality throughput.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address non-conformances and implement process improvements through SCAR's.
• Maintain an updated supplier performance database
• Oversee product, component or assembly qualifications at suppliers.
• Report discrepancies to management to drive process improvements.
• Participate in the review of engineering specifications to ensure that adequate requirements are met.
• Review drawings for adherence to design inputs; material callouts and standards and procedures; and regulatory and QS requirements; verify that required reports are attached so that the project can proceed to the next phase.
• Support QMS systems and organizational growth, including participation in MRB meetings, Batch reviews, product release, and CAPA investigations.
• Prepare detailed reports on quality metrics, supplier performance, and corrective actions.
• Perform other job duties as assigned by management.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Quality Management or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with software driven electronic medical devices.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Quality within a medical device manufacturing environment preferably with expertise in GMP, QSR, ISO, MDD, and MDR regulations.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in supplier audits and supplier qualification implementation.
• Certifications such as Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) a huge plus.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations 21 CFR 820.
• Experience with alternative Quality related tools (D and P, FMEA, QFD, SPC, Risk Analysis, DOE, and TQM) also a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, Visio, PowerPoint Visual Basic, Access, and Mini-Tab or other comparable statistical analysis software application.
• Familiar with investigational tools such as 5-Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, Turtle Diagrams, etc.
• Detail-oriented and organized in meetings and reviews.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Proven project management skills; able to complete technical projects with limited supervision.
• Have organizational, communication skills and the ability to perform varied tasks in a disciplined, consistent manner.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and team environment.

Disclaimer

INOVIO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. In keeping with our policy, INOVIO will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job titles the most qualified individuals, without regard to race, color, creed, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

A current US work authorization is required. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. INOVIO offers an attractive benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer.

Important notice to employment businesses/agencies

INOVIO does not accept referrals from employment agencies unless written authorization from the INOVIO Human Resources department has been provided. In the absence of written authorization, any actions undertaken by employment agencies shall be deemed to have been performed without our consent and therefore INOVIO will not be liable for any fees arising from employment agency referrals in respect to current or future position vacancies at INOVIO.