Quality Control Engineer

Hitachi Rail; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 87,100 - 130,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Flexitime

Training and Development

Job summary

Hitachi Rail in Maryland is seeking a Quality Control Engineer to oversee QC/QA objectives, train staff, and align production with contract requirements. You will contribute to continuous improvement while maintaining strict quality standards across materials and processes.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Rolling Stock management, audits, and documentation to ensure timely, compliant delivery of high‑quality products. Strong communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of quality control in manufacturing.
• CQE certification preferred.
• Experience in aerospace/rail industries is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quality inspections and audits to ensure compliance.
• Develop QC plans and corrective actions for nonconformities.
• Coordinate with suppliers for non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Review supplier documentation and ensure traceability.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Analytical

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

CQE certification

Tools

Excel

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting‑edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi‑cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description

The Quality Control Engineer accomplishes the company’s quality control/assurance objectives by overseeing worker training requirements, quality work assignments, communicating job expectations, and working with Rolling Stock management to effectively planning, monitoring, and measuring job & project performance against Rolling Stock’s contract requirements, while enforcing the company’s policies and procedures. The Quality Engineer achieves Rolling Stock’s quality control/assurance operational objectives by contributing analysis, information, and accurate feedback to Rolling Stock’s management, in support of the company’s strategic plans and reviews.

The Quality Control Engineer is responsible for overseeing and providing consistent quality of operations and production by developing and enforcing good automated manufacturing practices and systems; validating processes; providing documentation; managing staff, measuring quality results. The Quality Control Engineer ensures that all materials, components, and services provided by suppliers meet Hitachi Rail’s quality standards and contractual requirements.

This position includes handling of sensitive material that requires discretion.

Main tasks & responsibilities

• Prepare and complete action plans, as‑needed to identify and resolve operational problems.
• Participate in internal and external quality audits, as needed or required, to determine system improvements necessary to achieve Rolling Stock’s continuous improvement objectives.
• Set quality control/assurance performance objectives by identifying contract requirements; estimating results; analyzing variances; and initiating corrective actions.
• Develop quality control/assurance plans by conducting quality analyses; identifying critical control points and preventive measures; establishing critical limits, monitoring procedures for maximum effectiveness, and implementing corrective actions when operational or procedural nonconformities are identified.
• Validate quality processes by establishing or identifying customer and product specifications and quality attributes; measuring production; documenting evidence; determining operational and performance qualification; writing and updating quality assurance procedures.
• Develop and review quality inspection and test plans for new product development and legacy production parts.
• Coordinate the review and resolution of non‑conformances, liaising with internal stakeholders and suppliers to develop, implement and monitor corrective and preventative action plans.
• Enhance company and organization’s reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Review and approve supplier quality documentation, including inspection/test reports, certificates of conformity, and process validations.
• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve quality issues, track corrective actions, and ensure timely delivery of conforming products.
• Travel as required to supplier facilities and customer sites to perform First Article Inspections (FAI), in‑process inspections, and pre‑shipment inspections, ensuring product quality and compliance prior to delivery.
• Ensure that all inspection activities defined in the Manufacturing Inspection Plan (MIP) are fully executed by the responsible inspection teams, verifying that each required checkpoint is performed according to approved procedures and product specifications, ensuring that all inspection results, records, and evidence of conformity are properly linked to the product.
• Serve as the primary liaison with customer‑resident inspectors, coordinating schedules, ensuring inspection teams are prepared, and providing all necessary supporting documentation and technical explanations.
• Work with internal teams to quickly address and resolve any issues or questions raised by customer‑resident inspectors, ensuring timely response, corrective documentation, and clear communication.
• Monitor and support continuous improvement of internal inspection processes to enhance consistency, reliability, and compliance with evolving customer and regulatory requirements.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to conduct investigations, perform root cause analysis, and develop effective solutions.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required for reporting and data analysis. Experience with database management and project tracking software, ERP systems such as SAP is preferred.

Education and Experience

• Minimum Education Requirement - A 2‑year, 4‑year, or higher college degree is preferred; a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification is also preferred.
• 3‑5 years or more of experience in quality control performing or supervising quality inspections or experience managing quality assurance, in a manufacturing organization in the aerospace, automotive or passenger transportation industries (passenger airplanes, passenger cars, passenger buses, or passenger rail vehicles).
• Experience or training in Process Controls and/or Improvement, Analyzing Information, Strategic Planning, Good Verbal and Written Communication Skills, Ability to analyze and interpret Engineering and Management Reports, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Requirements.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk. The employee occasionally is required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.

Work Environment

• This position works in a warehouse/production environment. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• The performance of this position requires exposure to the manufacturing areas where certain areas require.
• Occasional travel required for supplier visits and inspection activities.

Benefits

Hitachi Rail employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including Competitive Pay, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Short & Long‑Term Disability, Life & Accident Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, a Retirement Savings Plan, and Paid Vacation. We also offer a number of Work/Life Programs such as Flextime and a variety of Training and Development opportunities.

In accordance with the DOT’s FRA and FTA programs, Hitachi’s substance screening program tests pre‑employment candidates and current employees, as required for safety‑sensitive positions.

The salary range for this position is $87,100 to $130,600 per year. Final pay is determined by the candidate’s experience, skillset and ability level, internal equity and location.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Hitachi, please send the nature of request and contact information to [e-mail].

Queries other than accommodation requests will not be responded to.