Manufacturing QA & Process Engineer: Process Innovation

Nelson Global; Town of Arcadia (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nelson Global is seeking a Manufacturing Quality & Process Engineer to design, validate, and optimize production processes across welding, fabrication, assembly, and painting. You will partner with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Packaging, and Quality to ensure processes are capable, repeatable, and compliant with customer requirements and IATF 16949.

You will lead process verification, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and First Article Inspections, while driving continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field (or equivalent manufacturing experience).
• 3-5 years of manufacturing, process engineering, or quality engineering experience.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Experience in fabrication, welding, assembly, paint, or packaging processes preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and IATF 16949 Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of AIAG CQI-15 requirements is highly desirable.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or equivalent welding quality certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and standardize manufacturing processes for new product launches, product transfers, and existing production.
• Create and maintain Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, Standard Work Instructions, and visual work instructions.
• Develop manufacturing processes for fabrication, welding, assembly, paint, packaging, and material flow.
• Lead process verification and validation activities prior to production release.
• Validate tooling, fixtures, gauges, inspection methods, and mistake-proofing (Poka-Yoke) systems.
• Support Safe Launch planning and verify all critical manufacturing process steps before production.
• Support APQP, PPAP, First Article Inspection (FAI), and Engineering Change Management.
• Lead structured problem solving using 8D, A3, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Analyze manufacturing and quality data to reduce COPQ and improve process capability.
• Support Layered Process Audits, Process Audits, and IATF 16949 compliance.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of AIAG CQI-15 Welding System Assessment requirements.
• Coordinate welding process validation, parameter control, and documentation with Manufacturing Engineering.
• Work with Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) and production teams to ensure welding process capability and compliance.
• Train production personnel in manufacturing processes, quality requirements, and standardized work.
• Support customer visits, audits, product transfers, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Process development

Problem solving

CQI-15 knowledge

GD&T interpretation

Statistical tools

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Excel

Minitab

Job description

Nelson Global is seeking a Manufacturing Quality & Process Engineer to design, validate, and optimize production processes across welding, fabrication, assembly, and painting. You will partner with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Packaging, and Quality to ensure processes are capable, repeatable, and compliant with customer requirements and IATF 16949.

You will lead process verification, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and First Article Inspections, while driving continuous