Quality Engineer

Plexus; Kelso; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Plexus Corp. Kelso site seeks a Quality Engineer who will be on the production floor, bridging engineering, operations and the customer. You will own the non-conformance lifecycle, drive structured root-cause investigations, and build repeatable quality processes into every build.

You will lead end-to-end investigations, approve ECOs and ABIs, and support IQ/OQ/PQ while ensuring robust inspection gates and complete quality records across shifts.

Qualifications

• Engineering/Quality/STEM degree with hands-on quality or manufacturing experience.
• Experience with 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC preferred.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/13485 or AS9100 and IPC standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end non-conformance investigations and CAPAs.
• Develop and implement root-cause analyses on the shop floor.
• Approve ECOs, process deviations, and ABIs; support IQ/OQ/PQ.
• Define inspection gates for receiving, in-process, and pre-shipment.
• Support customer audits and internal surveillance of QMS.

Skills

Structured problem solving

Communication

Data analysis

DOE design

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Engineering/Quality/STEM

Job description

As a Quality Engineer at our Kelso facility, you won’t just monitor compliance from a desk. You will be an operational problem-solver on the production floor, acting as the bridge between engineering, operations, and the customer. You will own the non-conformance lifecycle, drive structured root-cause investigations, and build repeatable quality processes into every build.

What You’ll Do

• Own Non-Conformance & Customer Resolution: Lead end-to-end complaint investigations and deviations. Move quickly to implement immediate containment and purges, then apply structured methods to isolate root causes and close verified CAPAs.
• Drive Process Compliance & Validation: Review and approve Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), process deviations, and Assembly Build Instructions (ABIs). Lead the development, documentation, and execution of site Master Validation Plans (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Define Floor Inspection Strategies: Establish robust inspection gates across receiving, in-process assembly, pre-shipment, and out-of-box audits. Ensure complete Quality History Records and compliant Certificates of Compliance (CoCs).
• Champion Quality on the Shop Floor: Coach technicians, operators, and assembly associates on defect prevention and compliance standards. Audit training effectiveness and drive a proactive quality mindset across all shifts.
• Lead Audit Readiness: Support customer quality audits, internal assessments, and external surveillance/recertification audits for facility Quality Management Systems (QMS).

What We’re Looking For

• Technical Experience: Degree in an Engineering, Quality, or STEM discipline with 2+ years of hands-on quality or manufacturing experience (or an equivalent track record of technical floor experience).
• Structured Problem Solving: Practical proficiency applying systematic problem-solving frameworks (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC) and data analysis tools to solve complex technical defects.
• Standards & Process Control: Familiarity with high-reliability manufacturing quality standards (such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or AS9100) and electronic assembly acceptance standards (IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001).
• Experimental & Operational Design: Ability to design experiments (DOE), assess process capability/repeatability, and implement controls within economic and safety constraints.
• Communication & Influence: Confidence to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), communicate transparently with external customers, and guide cross-functional teams under production deadlines.

Why Kelso?

Our Kelso site combines the agility of a dedicated manufacturing plant with the resources and stability of a global enterprise. Here, you will have visible ownership over your product lines, exposure to cutting-edge electronic manufacturing processes, and clear avenues to grow into Senior Quality Engineering or operational leadership roles.