Quality Engineer

Swagelok Minnesota | North Dakota | Appleton; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

HSA employer contributions

Life insurance

Short- and long-term disability

401(k) with company match

Incentive reward plan

Job summary

Swagelok Minnesota | North Dakota | Appleton is seeking a Quality Engineer in Chaska, MN to drive a culture of quality across the organization. You will oversee ISO 9001 compliance, manage audits, verify nonconformances, and support lean initiatives to improve end-to-end performance.

The role emphasizes leadership, data-driven decision making, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and process discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (technical discipline preferred) or equivalent experience.
• 3–5+ years of quality experience in manufacturing/distribution.
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9001 or similar).
• Experience with nonconformance management and root cause analysis.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Internal auditor training or audit experience.
• Familiarity with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with calibration systems and document control.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a quality-focused culture across the business.
• Oversee compliance with internal standards and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Respond to audits and stakeholder requests; lead non-conformance investigations.
• Support manufacturing quality through inspection processes and KPIs.
• Drive structured problem-solving initiatives and CAPA.
• Own calibration program, ensuring equipment is audit-ready.
• Lead audit readiness and internal/external audits.
• Ensure quality records, certifications and training documentation are ready.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (technical)

Job description

Are you a quality-driven individual who thrives on continuous improvement, solving complex problems, and building systems that elevate performance? We are seeking a Quality Engineer to join our team in Chaska, Minnesota. This role is responsible for driving a culture of quality across the organization, ensuring compliance with both internal standards and external requirements, and creating clarity and consistency in how we execute our work. You will have the opportunity to tackle dynamic challenges, introduce new processes and frameworks, and play a key role in advancing both our people and our operations.

We are an authorized sales and service center for Swagelok Company and have proudly been in business since 1966. We provide high-quality components, custom assemblies, and technical expertise across a wide range of industries. As a growing, values-based organization, we emphasize teamwork, transparency, and intentional decision-making. We are committed to developing our employees through hands-on training, meaningful growth opportunities, and a culture that supports continuous learning and improvement—including volunteer time off and a strong focus on career advancement.

In this role, you will lead and develop a quality-focused culture across the business, ensuring alignment with established standards and expectations. You will oversee compliance and regulatory requirements, respond to audit and stakeholder requests, and lead non-conformance investigations from identification through resolution. You will also play a critical role in supporting manufacturing quality through inspection processes, managing key performance indicators, and driving structured problem-solving initiatives. Success in this position requires experience with quality systems—preferably ISO standards—along with familiarity in Lean tools and methodologies. Strong project management capabilities and the ability to lead and influence others, both directly and indirectly, are essential.

This position is scheduled Monday through Friday in an office-based setting, offering the opportunity to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams while driving meaningful organizational impact.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; highly competitive paid time off and sick time; 10 paid holidays; an incentive reward plan; HSA employer contributions; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and a 401(k) plan with company match.

• Champion a culture of quality, coaching and training associates while reinforcing standards and driving ownership at all levels of the organization
• Own and continuously improve the quality management system, including software, processes, and compliance to internal and ISO 9001 standards
• Act as a cross-functional quality leader, partnering across the organization to improve end-to-end performance
• Own quality performance metrics, ensuring accurate tracking, visibility, and accountability
• Analyze trends and translate data into action, identifying risks early and driving preventative improvements
• Lead and enforce the nonconformance process, driving rapid identification, containment, disposition, and systemic resolution
• Lead cross-functional, root cause investigations and ensuring effective, sustainable corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Own the calibration program, ensuring all equipment is compliant, scheduled, and audit-ready
• Lead audit readiness and execution, coordinating internal and external audits
• Conduct and evolve internal audit processes to proactively identify risks, strengthen compliance, and improve process discipline
• Ensure integrity and readiness of all quality records, certifications, and training documentation
• Support progress and development of the lean committee

Experience

• Bachelor's degree (technical discipline preferred) or equivalent experience
• 3-5+ years of experience in quality within manufacturing and/or distribution
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9001 or similar)
• Experience with nonconformance management and root cause analysis
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
• Internal auditor training or audit experience
• Familiarity with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience with calibration systems and document control

Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• High attention to detail and process discipline
• Ability to balance hands-on execution with system-level thinking
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to challenge the status quo and drive improvement
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills