Data Quality Analyst - Intern

About IPG Photonics

IPG Photonics is the world leader in high-performance fiber lasers and photonic solutions used in manufacturing, medical, scientific, and communications applications. The Quality organization ensures that IPG products meet rigorous design, reliability, and performance standards. As a Quality Data Analyst Coop, you will play a key role in helping the team make data driven decisions to improve product quality and operational efficiency.

Position Summary

The Quality Data Analyst Co-op will support the Quality department by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data generated from manufacturing processes, testing operations, and customer feedback. This role is ideal for a student pursuing a technical or engineering degree with strong analytical skills and an interest in quality systems, data analytics, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Extract, clean, and analyze quality related datasets from manufacturing, test, and service systems.
• Create dashboards, charts, and visual reports to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes.
• Support investigation and troubleshooting efforts for nonconformities, yield issues, and process deviations.
• Maintain and update quality documentation, reports, and records.
• Support quality engineers with data preparation for corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), 8D reports, and internal audits.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams (Manufacturing, R\&D, Test, Supply Chain) to gather data and communicate findings.
• Recommend data driven improvements to enhance product quality and operational metrics.

Data Visualization Responsibilities (Integrated)

• Develop clear, insightful data visualizations to support quality investigations, trend analysis, and reporting.
• Build and maintain dashboards using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or other industry standard visualization libraries.
• Transform large, complex datasets into user-friendly charts, graphs, and layouts that help engineers and leadership quickly understand issues and performance.
• Present visual findings during team meetings and help communicate quality metrics to cross functional stakeholders.
• Ensure consistency in formatting, labeling, and visual standards across recurring quality reports.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Excel (pivot tables, functions, charts); experience with Python, R, SQL, or Power BI is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret data, draw conclusions, and present results clearly.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to handle multiple tasks.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.

Preferred Skills

• Experience using statistical tools (SPC, Minitab, JMP, or similar).
• Familiarity with quality methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis).
• Exposure to manufacturing environments or complex electro-optical systems.
• Understanding of data visualization tools or dashboarding.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the co-op, the student will gain experience with:

• Real-world quality and reliability engineering and data analytics.
• Statistical methods used in high-tech manufacturing.
• Working cross-functionally in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Using data to support continuous improvement and reliability initiatives.