Quality Assurance Technician II

ASTEC; Sterling (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Astec is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections across manufacturing operations. You will document batching and production processes, identify defects, and support corrective actions to maintain product quality.

Ideal candidates have 4–6 years in heavy manufacturing QA, familiarity with ISO standards, and strong communication skills to collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; equivalency acceptable
• Associates degree or technical training desirable
• ASQ Certified Quality Technician or similar certification preferred
• 4–6 years QA technician experience in heavy manufacturing
• 1–3 years ISO or equivalent quality/inspection experience
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Responsibilities

• Serve as quality advisor for each Manufacturing Bay and Field Service personnel
• Review Work Orders and Supplements to ensure equipment is manufactured as specified
• Perform Receiving, In-Process, Final and Functional inspections
• Execute inspection criteria to verify quality standards
• Identify actions needed for improvement and track changes
• Prepare quality documentation and reports analyzing trends and failures

Skills

Quality inspection

Root cause analysis

Documentation

ISO experience

6S/Lean

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree desirable

ASQ Certified Quality Technician

Job description

BUILT TO CONNECT

Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.

BUILT TO CONNECT

Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Technician is an operational position responsible for executing and delivering best in class quality assurance functions including but not limited to the inspection of in-coming raw materials, in-process materials, documenting the batching, mixing, and manufacturing process, ensuring product consistency and quality and the inspection of final product prior to shipment to the customer. This position works closely with other departments to resolve quality issues.

Key Deliverables

• Conduct Inspection checks on products and production processes.
• Perform manual and automated quality checks.
• Maintain accurate report of any issues that may arise.
• Identify issues and the steps needed to resolve the issue.
• Adhere to Astec quality standards.

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Serve as a quality technical advisor for each Manufacturing Bay and Field Service personnel.
• Engage with product teams directly to review systemic quality issues, assist with root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Review Work Orders and subsequent Supplements to ensure equipment is manufactured as specified.
• Execute inspection criteria to verify industry and Astec quality standards.
• Perform Receiving, In-Process, Final and Functional inspections.
• Collaborate with Fitter/Welders to identify drawing / process changes affecting product quality.
• Identify actions needed for improvement on the provided task lists.
• Update the Quality chart on the assigned task list daily.
• Support Product / Manufacturing / Quality Engineers as a “First Responder” to address issues identified.
• Prepares quality documentation and reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends including failed processes, stability studies, recalls, corrective actions, and re-validations.
• Maintain cleanliness in designated workspace by practicing 6S principles to reduce safety risks.
• Maintain a safe work environment and ensure that all company safety procedures are followed to include OSHA compliance guidelines applicable to the duties above.
• Attend a weekly department safety meeting.
• Understand the histogram data to help the team identify primary issues affecting the team’s performance to goals.
• Update controlled documents.
• Maintain and improve quality performance metrics and/or quality records including first pass yield.
• Track all significant product, document, and process changes which affect quality.
• Perform employee, work center, and piece audits as required.
• Perform process audits to insure conformity of parts to specifications.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or a combination of education and experience equivalent as deemed sufficient by management.
• Associate of Art's degree (A.A.) from two-year College or similar degree from a technical school, desirable but not required.
• Certified Quality Technician (ASQ) or other professional certifications desired.
• 4-6 years’ experience as a Quality Assurance Technician in a heavy manufacturing industry; mechanical background in hydraulics, diesel engines, or electronics; or demonstrated abilities through experience or education.
• 1-3 years’ experience working with ISO or similar quality/inspection experience.
• Maintain positive, cooperative working relationships by working, acting, and communicating with various personalities getting along with customers, vendors, co-workers, and management working both individually and as part of a team.
• Consistently administers established policies and procedures. Must exercise tact and professionalism when interacting with employees in this regard.
• Skill in working efficiently and accurately to keep up with production requirements.
• Capacity to learn quickly, flexible, and adaptable in coping with pressures, deadlines, and rapidly changing situations in a fast-paced work environment.
• Experience in writing, documenting processes and procedures, and attention to detail preferred.
• Able to execute job tasks based on verbal instructions, written procedures or by following engineering specifications from drawings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact across all levels of the organization.
• Capable of exercising solid judgment and decision-making during inspection process and taking appropriate action to resolve any quality issues or concerns during the inspection process or otherwise.

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

None

Our Culture and Values

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

Travel Requirements

% of travel, regional, international

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Manufacturing Environment

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.