Quality Engineer

Actalent; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Quality Engineer in California to support product and process quality across the lifecycle. You will investigate quality issues, perform root-cause analysis, and lead CAPA activities to improve reliability and performance.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, and Operations to implement effective quality improvements. The role requires experience in electronics manufacturing, familiarity with ISO 9001 and QMS practices, and strong data-driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field is required.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in electronics or electromechanical manufacturing environments (PCBA, SMT, board-level products).
• Quality Engineering experience supporting manufacturing and product quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis using 8D, Fishbone, CAPA, and corrective action methodologies.
• Experience with electronics manufacturing quality including PCBA quality and related processes.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and internal audits, regulatory/compliance requirements.
• Ability to develop quality metrics, analyze trends, and present data-driven recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Support product and process quality activities across the product lifecycle, including development, manufacturing, validation, and sustaining engineering.
• Investigate quality issues, perform root cause analysis, and lead corrective actions to improve quality, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, and Operations to resolve issues and drive improvements.
• Support product validation, reliability testing, environmental testing, and qualification activities.
• Develop, update, and maintain quality documentation, including inspection criteria and test plans.
• Review changes, deviations, and engineering updates for quality and regulatory compliance.
• Analyze quality trends, field returns, and manufacturing data to identify systemic issues and defect-reduction opportunities.
• Monitor quality metrics, prepare reports, and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Support internal audits and QMS activities to improve quality processes and practices.
• Serve as a technical quality resource to guide problem solving and testing requirements.
• Contribute to new product introduction by supporting validation and reliability testing plans.
• Apply 8D, Fishbone, CAPA and related methodologies to complex issues.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to strengthen manufacturing quality systems.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on quality performance and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Quality engineering

Root cause analysis

8D methodology

CAPA

PCBA quality

Electromechanical

Data analysis

GD&T

Sampling plans

Non-destructive testing

Destructive testing

ISO 9001

Power BI

Excel

Verbal & written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Excel

Visio

Access

Power BI

Word

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Quality Engineer supports product and process quality across the entire product lifecycle, from new product development and validation through manufacturing, production support, and sustaining engineering. This role investigates product and manufacturing quality issues, drives root cause analysis and corrective actions, and partners closely with cross-functional teams to improve quality, reliability, and performance. The Quality Engineer develops and maintains quality documentation, supports validation and testing activities, and ensures that products and processes comply with quality standards and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support product and process quality activities throughout the entire product lifecycle, including new product development, manufacturing, validation, production support, and sustaining engineering.
• Investigate product and manufacturing quality issues, perform detailed root cause analysis, and lead corrective and preventive action efforts to improve quality, reliability, and performance.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, and Operations teams to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support product validation, reliability testing, environmental testing, and qualification activities to ensure products meet performance, reliability, and quality requirements.
• Develop, update, and maintain quality documentation, including inspection criteria, work instructions, test plans, quality procedures, and quality records.
• Review and support product changes, deviations, and engineering updates to ensure compliance with quality requirements, standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Analyze quality trends, customer issues, field returns, and manufacturing data to identify systemic issues, opportunities for improvement, and defect-reduction strategies.
• Monitor and track quality metrics, prepare reports, and communicate findings, risks, and data-driven recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Support internal audits and Quality Management System activities, contributing to the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of quality processes and best practices.
• Serve as a technical quality resource within cross-functional teams, providing guidance on problem-solving methodologies, quality standards, testing requirements, and product reliability.
• Contribute to new product introduction activities by supporting product validation, verification, and reliability testing plans and execution.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, Fishbone, CAPA, and other methodologies to address complex quality and manufacturing issues.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure robust manufacturing quality systems, inspection methodologies, and sampling plans.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on quality performance, trends, and improvement initiatives to cross-functional teams.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in electronics or electromechanical manufacturing environments, including PCBA, SMT, and board-level products.
• Quality Engineering experience supporting manufacturing and product quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Strong experience in problem-solving and root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, Fishbone, CAPA, and corrective action methodologies.
• Hands‑on experience with product quality in electronics manufacturing, including PCBA quality and electronics manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting product validation, verification, reliability testing, and environmental testing.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management systems, including internal audits and regulatory or compliance requirements.
• Ability to develop quality metrics, analyze trends, and present data‑driven recommendations to stakeholders.
• Understanding of GD&T, inspection methodologies, sampling plans, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Exposure to destructive and non‑destructive test methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Visio, Access, and Power BI.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross‑functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a strong t