Quality Engineer

Nolte Precise Manufacturing; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nolte Precise Manufacturing is seeking a Quality Engineer to design, document, and sustain robust quality plans for customer and regulatory requirements across the manufacturing process.

The role bridges customer requirements, engineering intent, and shop-floor execution, translating prints and specs into practical inspection plans that enable right-first-time production.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, GD&T, and tolerance schemes.
• Translate customer/industry specs into actionable inspection and control plans.
• Solid understanding of metrology principles and measurement systems.
• Experience with CNC turning/milling and how methods affect inspection strategy.
• Proficient in CMM programming/inspection (PC-DMIS).
• Experience with SPC, capability analysis, and statistical process control.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality planning during NPI, translating requirements into inspection plans and control strategies.
• Review drawings, specs, and requirements to define inspection methods and criteria.
• Perform risk-based analysis (PFMEA, control plans) to identify critical characteristics.
• Develop inspection strategies aligned to features, tolerances, and processes.
• Conduct hands-on measurements during NPI and early production to support conformance.

Skills

Read engineering drawings

GD&T interpretation

Metrology concepts

CMM programming (PC-DMIS)

SPC & capability analysis

Data analysis skills

Tools

Discus quality system

CAD/CAM interpretation

Job description

Compensation: $80-100k/year Depending on Experience + Benefits

Schedule: Mon-Fri Day Shift

Company Vision

Nolte Precise will be an industry expert for supplying precision machined components and assemblies to OEMs in the USA.

Role Summary

Quality Engineer is a critical technical role responsible for designing, documenting, and sustaining robust quality plans that ensure customer, regulatory, and industry requirements are fully met throughout the manufacturing process. This position serves as the bridge between customer requirements, engineering intent, and shop-floor execution—translating prints, specifications, and process knowledge into practical, effective inspection and control plans that support right-first-time manufacturing.

This role requires strong technical judgment to select appropriate inspection methods at each stage of production, balancing measurement risk, accuracy, repeatability, and practicality at both machining work centers and quality laboratories.

Primary Job Duties

Quality Planning & New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead quality planning activities during New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring customer and regulatory requirements are clearly translated into inspection plans and control strategies.
• Review customer drawings, specifications, and contractual requirements to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and documentation needs.
• Perform risk-based analysis (e.g., PFMEA, control plan development) to identify critical characteristics and appropriate inspection points throughout the manufacturing process.
• Balloon engineering drawings and developing measurement strategies aligned to part features, tolerances, and functional requirements.
• Perform hands-on component measurements during NPI and early production to support part conformance, process qualification, and initial process capability studies (Cp/Cpk).
• Use NPI measurement data to validate inspection methods, confirm control plan effectiveness, and drive adjustments to quality plans as processes mature.
• Select and document best-fit inspection methods for each process step, considering:
• Measurement risk and feature criticality
• Ease and robustness of measurement at machining work centers
• Capability and throughput of quality lab resources (e.g., CMM, advanced metrology)
• Gage availability, cost, and long-term sustainability
• Design, specify, or support the development of special gages and fixtures when standard measurement methods are insufficient.
• Define gage R&R, capability studies, and ongoing monitoring requirements to ensure reliable measurement systems.

Customer & Industry Compliance

• Create and maintain First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation in accordance with AS9102 and customer-specific requirements.
• Prepare and submit PPAP, PSW, and related customer quality submissions as required.
• Interpret and apply industry standards (e.g., AS9100, customer flow-downs) and customer specifications to internal quality plans and procedures.
• Ensure inspection plans and quality documentation remain compliant as customer or specification requirements change.

Manufacturing Support & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, engineering, and production teams to ensure inspection plans are practical, efficient, and clearly understood.
• Train operators and inspectors on inspection plans, measurement techniques, and proper use of gauges and metrology equipment.
• Analyze SPC and inspection data to assess process capability, identify trends, and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
• Participate in or lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to internal nonconformances and customer quality issues.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve inspection efficiency, measurement robustness, and overall process capability.
• Serve as a functional backup to Quality Technicians by performing in-process and final inspections as needed to support production flow and quality assurance.
• Review, complete, and verify inspection records, certifications, and quality documentation required for production shipments to ensure accuracy and compliance with customer requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Strong ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, GD&T, and tolerance schemes.
• Demonstrated experience translating customer and industry specifications into actionable inspection and control plans.
• Solid understanding of metrology principles, dimensional measurement techniques, and measurement system analysis.
• Experience with CNC machining processes (turning and milling) and an understanding of how manufacturing methods influence inspection strategy.
• Working knowledge of CMM programming and inspection (e.g., PC-DMIS).
• Experience with SPC, capability analysis, and statistical tools for process monitoring.

Systems & Tools

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.) for inspection planning, analysis, and reporting.
• Familiarity with quality systems software (e.g., Discus) preferred.
• CAD/CAM experience or ability to interpret CAD models for inspection planning purposes.

Professional Skills

• Strong technical judgment and decision-making ability related to inspection method selection and risk management.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with operators, engineers, and customers.
• Detail-oriented, structured approach to documentation and problem-solving.
• Ability to balance customer requirements, manufacturing practicality, and business efficiency.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to an 8-hour shift).
• Occasional lifting up to 35 lbs., including bending, twisting, and crouching.
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment with oils, coolants, and moderate noise levels.