Junior Quality Engineer

Kelly Services; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement savings plan

Eight paid holidays

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Junior Quality Engineer for a contract/contract-to-hire position with a Santa Ana based manufacturer involved in compression and injection molding of aerospace components. The role blends office and shop-floor support, focusing on calibration, quality data analysis, and process improvements.

You will collaborate across quality, manufacturing, maintenance, and supply chain teams, supporting audits, supplier quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Engineering in Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Quality or Manufacturing with 1–2 years of manufacturing, lab testing or quality experience.
• Basic knowledge of engineering, manufacturing or quality concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or similar Office tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist with quality engineering projects and improvement initiatives.
• Support laboratory, calibration, and shipping quality activities.
• Execute calibration on metrology instruments.
• Initiate and follow up on vendor calibrations.
• Initiate equipment calibration with the maintenance department.
• Collect, analyze, and organize quality data and performance metrics.
• Prepare reports, simple charts, and presentations related to quality performance.
• Assist with supplier quality, corrective actions, and root cause investigations.
• Participate in continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including Kaizen events.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audit preparation activities.
• Review quality records and documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with maintaining calibration records and measurement equipment databases.
• Participate in daily and cross-functional team meetings.
• Learn and apply company quality standards, procedures, and customer requirements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Quality, Manufacturing)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Junior Quality Engineer

Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Junior Quality Engineer for a contract/contract to hire position with our client, a Santa Ana based manufacturer involved in compression and injection molding of aerospace components. If you are passionate about shaping the world we live in and are ready to reengineer your future, trust the experts at hiring experts.

Salary/Pay Rate/Compensation:

$35.00-40.00 per hour

Overview

Our client’s location provides customized solutions that impact aircraft fuel systems, engines, flight control, airframe, landing gear and more. As an industry leader, they are able to meet the demands of extreme temperature fluctuations, high mechanical loads or aggressive media.

You’ll work in both an office and manufacturing environment with supporting calibration and certifications as a main focus and supporting projects involving audits, product inspection, continuous improvement/process improvement as secondary objectives. This role interfaces with shipping, manufacturing, equipment maintenance and the lab. Additionally, you’ll support special projects in quality or continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with quality engineering projects and improvement initiatives
• Support laboratory, calibration, and shipping quality activities
• Execute calibration on metrology instruments
• Initiate and follow up on vender calibrations
• Initiate equipment calibration with the maintenance department
• Collect, analyze, and organize quality data and performance metrics
• Prepare reports, simple charts, and presentations related to quality performance
• Assist with supplier quality, corrective actions, and root cause investigations
• Participate in continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including Kaizen events
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audit preparation activities
• Review quality records and documentation for accuracy and completeness
• Assist with maintaining calibration records and measurement equipment databases
• Participate in daily and cross-functional team meetings
• Learn and apply company quality standards, procedures, and customer requirements
• Maintain compliance with company safety policies and housekeeping standards
• Coordinates with: Business Unit Leaders, Molding Operators, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, SCM, the Customer Service team, customers, sales team, and vendors.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor in Engineering in any of the following disciplines: Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Quality, Manufacturing and 1-2 years’ experience in manufacturing, lab testing or quality (relevant internship or Co-op experience will be considered) OR Quality technicians pursing a Bachelor in Engineering or Quality
• Basic knowledge of engineering, manufacturing, or quality concepts
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to interpret data and identify trends
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Adaptability and flexibilityProfessionalism and accountability
• Able to work nights and weekends when busy
• Ability and willingness to wear PPE: ear plugs, safety glasses, steel toed shoes

Pluses

• Any experience with data analysis, statistics, or quality tools is a plus
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, or AS9100 concepts is preferred but not required
• SAP knowledge is a plus
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

What happens next:

Once you apply, you’ll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don’t worry – even if this position doesn’t work out, you’re still in the Kelly Engineering network. That means our team of expert engineering recruiters will have access to your profile, making your opportunities limitless.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources.

Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly ® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting‑edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and