Customer Quality Engineer

Rittal; Urbana (OH); On-site; USD 76,500 - 93,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility 7%

401(k) Match

Health & Wellness Benefits

Career growth and development

Job summary

Rittal North America seeks a Customer Quality Engineer to serve as the primary quality representative for customer-facing quality issues, ensuring products meet standards and customer expectations. You will collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain and customer teams to deliver world-class quality performance.

The role drives defect prevention, root cause analysis, CAPA, and continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma methods, with a starting salary of $85,000 plus a 7% bonus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field or quality discipline.
• Experience with quality engineering principles and methods.
• Exposure to APQP/PPAP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality engineering strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Define quality standards, metrics, and acceptance criteria for products and manufacturing processes.
• Participate in APQP activities and risk assessments (PFMEA/DFMEA).
• Establish and maintain control plans and SPC systems.
• Lead root cause investigations using 5 Whys and Fishbone diagrams.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Problem Solving

Cross-functional Collaboration

Analytical Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering

Tools

Minitab

MS Excel

Job description

Proven Leadership, Hard Work and Innovation Alive and Well in North America

Rittal North America has built a strong tradition of innovation and takes pride in a progressive approach to engineering. We design and manufacture the world’s leading industrial and IT enclosures, racks, and accessories, including high-efficiency, high-density power management, and climate control systems for industrial, data center, outdoor, and hybrid applications.

Customer Quality Engineer

As the Customer Quality Engineer, you will…

Serve as the primary quality representative for customer-facing quality issues while ensuring products, processes, and systems meet defined quality standards and customer expectations. This role drives defect prevention, root cause analysis, continuous improvement initiatives, and compliance with customer, regulatory, and organizational requirements. The Customer Quality Engineer partners closely with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and customer teams to deliver world-class quality performance and customer satisfaction.

Why Work at Rittal & Eplan LLC:

Great Place To Work Certified, Rittal & Eplan LLC offers workplace culture, employee experiences, and collaborative innovation that encompass a thriving environment.

• Compensation: starting at $85,000 plus 7% bonus
• Above average benefits available on the 1st of the month after you start
• 401(k) Match
• Health & Wellness Benefits: Paid Volunteer Time, Fitness Reimbursement, Pet Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career growth and professional development opportunities
• Collaborative and innovative work environment

Key Responsibilities

Quality Planning & Strategy

• Develop and implement quality engineering strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Define quality standards, metrics, and acceptance criteria for products and manufacturing processes.
• Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities.
• Support risk assessments including Process FMEA (PFMEA) and Design FMEA (DFMEA).

Process Control & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and maintain process control plans and Statistical Process Control (SPC) systems.
• Monitor manufacturing and operational processes for variation and performance trends.
• Lead root cause investigations utilizing methodologies such as:
• 5 Whys
• Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagrams
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.

Product & Process Validation

• Support validation activities for new products, processes, and manufacturing equipment.
• Review and approve Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions.
• Verify compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements prior to production release.
• Support product design verification and validation activities.

Nonconformance & Corrective Action Management

• Identify, document, and track defects, quality escapes, and nonconforming material.
• Lead containment activities and corrective/preventive action processes (CAPA).
• Ensure timely resolution of internal and external quality concerns.
• Maintain accurate documentation of quality incidents and corrective actions.

Customer Quality Support

• Serve as the primary quality contact for customer-related quality issues.
• Investigate customer complaints and coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific quality requirements.
• Support customer audits, supplier scorecards, and business reviews.

Audits & Compliance

• Support internal, external, customer, and certification audits.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001 standards.
• Maintain quality documentation and records in accordance with company requirements.
• Track audit findings and ensure effective closure of corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams to resolve quality concerns.
• Provide quality input during design reviews, product launches, and process changes.
• Facilitate communication and alignment across departments regarding quality initiatives and customer issues.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Quality Engineering
  • Or a related technical discipline

Experience

• 0-2 years of relevant experience in quality engineering, manufacturing, or related technical environments.
• Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in quality, manufacturing, or process improvement preferred.
• Exposure to the following is a plus:
  • Quality inspections and testing
  • Process improvement projects
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Customer quality or supplier quality activities

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of quality engineering tools and methodologies, including:
  • Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone)
  • Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  • Control Plans
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Familiarity with Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools; Minitab experience preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications; GD&T knowledge preferred.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality assurance principles.
• Knowledge of APQP and PPAP methodologies preferred.

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn.

Preferred Certifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher
• Other quality-related certifications are a plus

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may contact the company's Human Resources Department at [phone].

This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.

Rittal LLC and Eplan are proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. EEO, including Disability/Vets.