Quality Engineer

Actalent; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Quality Engineer in East Peoria, IL to support critical manufacturing operations across value streams such as carriers, XL rings, ring gears, and shafts. You will lead APQP/PPAP activities, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions to improve product quality and process capability.

The role involves collaboration with operations, design and manufacturing engineering, purchasing, sourcing, and leadership to ensure compliance with engineering drawings and

Qualifications

• Manufacturing QA engineering experience in a production environment.
• Experience with APQP and PPAP validations, submissions, and approvals.
• Ability to interpret engineering prints, drawings, and GD&T to assess conformance.
• Proficient in root cause analysis using Six Sigma, Five Whys, Fishbone, and other tools.
• Experience with supplier quality and PPAP validation support.
• Statistical analysis and process capability studies experience.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and standards; strong documentation skills.
• Cross-functional collaboration with operations, engineering, purchasing, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing operations across multiple value streams to ensure conformance with engineering prints and customer specs.
• Lead APQP validations and support PPAP submissions and approvals for launches.
• Investigate and resolve quality concerns with corrective and preventive actions.
• Perform root cause investigations using Six Sigma, 5 Whys, and Fishbone analyses.
• Analyze CMM and lab data to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Develop and maintain control plans and PFMEAs to manage risk.

Skills

Manufacturing QA engineering

APQP & PPAP

Root cause analysis

GD&T interpretation

Data analysis & SPC

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality documentation

CAPA implementation

Continuous improvement

Production floor experience

Tools

CQMS

EPQ

Microsoft Office

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

Job Title: Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer supports critical manufacturing operations across carrier, XL ring, ring gear, and shaft value streams, serving as a key quality resource within the manufacturing organization. In this role, you partner closely with operations, manufacturing engineering, design engineering, purchasing, sourcing, suppliers, and leadership to ensure products consistently meet engineering print specifications and customer requirements. You lead problem-solving efforts, drive APQP and PPAP activities, analyze inspection and laboratory data, and implement corrective actions that enhance product quality, process capability, and manufacturing efficiency. This position provides extensive exposure to advanced manufacturing, significant cross-functional visibility, and the opportunity to make a direct impact on some of the most important production processes.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing operations across multiple value streams, including carriers, XL rings, ring gears, and shafts, ensuring products conform to engineering prints and customer specifications.
• Perform APQP validations and support PPAP submissions and approvals to ensure robust product and process launch readiness.
• Investigate and resolve product and process quality concerns by conducting thorough analyses and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct root cause investigations using Six Sigma methodologies, Five Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and other structured quality tools to eliminate recurring issues.
• Analyze CMM and laboratory data, as well as other inspection results, to assess conformance to specifications and identify trends in process performance.
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and product specifications to guide inspection strategies, control plans, and problem-solving activities.
• Develop, maintain, and improve Control Plans and PFMEAs to proactively manage risk and strengthen process controls.
• Recommend target conditions and corrective actions that improve process performance, reduce variation, and enhance manufacturing efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, minimizing variation, and improving overall product quality.
• Facilitate quality reviews and cross-functional problem-solving meetings to align stakeholders and drive timely resolution of issues.
• Support supplier quality activities, including supplier onboarding, PPAP validation efforts, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Participate in Voice of the Customer activities and quality initiatives to ensure customer requirements and feedback are fully integrated into processes.
• Collaborate with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, purchasing, sourcing, and production teams to resolve quality concerns and optimize designs for manufacturability and reliability.
• Support Engineering Change Request (ECR) and change management activities that impact product quality, ensuring changes are properly validated and documented.
• Document findings, corrective actions, containment plans, and process improvements in clear technical reports and quality records.
• Ensure compliance with quality management systems, organizational quality standards, and applicable procedures across the manufacturing value streams.
• Coordinate and execute quality-related projects from concept through implementation, tracking progress and communicating results to stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated manufacturing quality engineering experience within a production environment.
• Hands-on experience with APQP and PPAP activities, including validations, submissions, and approvals.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering prints, drawings, and GD&T to assess product and process conformance.
• Proficiency in conducting root cause analysis using Six Sigma methodologies, Five Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and other quality tools.
• Experience with supplier quality and supplier development, including onboarding and PPAP validation support.
• Capability to perform statistical analysis and process capability studies to evaluate and improve process performance.
• Experience in quality auditing and ensuring adherence to quality management systems and standards.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration skills, working effectively with operations, engineering, purchasing, sourcing, and suppliers.
• Strong technical report writing and documentation skills for recording findings, corrective actions, and process improvements.
• Familiarity with Voice of the Customer (VOC) methodologies and integrating customer feedback into quality initiatives.
• Experience with change management and Engineering Change Request (ECR) processes related to product and process changes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for data analysis, reporting, and communication.
• Experience supporting machining, gears, shafts, driveline, powertrain, or heavy equipment manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated involvement in continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction and process optimization.
• Ability to coordinate and execute quality-related projects, managing timelines and deliverables.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with CQMS, EPQ, or similar quality management software systems is preferred.
• Green Belt certification or equivalent continuous improvement credential is preferred.
• Comfort working in advanced manufacturing environments with exposure to machining, assembly, inspection, and production operations.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data and quality findings into practical, shop-floor solutions.
• Ability to work both independently on technical analysis and collaboratively in team-based problem-solving settings.
• Interest in long-term career development within manufacturing quality, with a desire to learn from highly tenured experts.
• Motivation to spend time on the production floor, investigate quality concerns firsthand, and drive improvements in quality, safety, and operational performance.

Work Environment

This role operates in a highly collaborative manufacturing environment with a balanced mix of technical office work and hands-on production support. Approximately 60% of the time is spent in an office setting focused on data analysis, documentation, and cross-functional coordination, while about 40% is spent on the manufacturing floor supporting real-time operations and investigations.

The position follows a day-shift schedule with optional overtime opportunities based on business needs. You will frequently interact with manufacturing, quality, design, and supplier teams and gain exposure to machining, assembly, inspection, and production operations. The environment is fast-paced and strongly focused on continuous improvement and structured problem solving, offering significant visibility as you support critical manufacturing processes and key business objectives.

You work directly with experienced engineers who possess decades of institutional knowledge, benefiting from mentorship and knowledge transfer while exercising autonomy to lead investigations and implement solutions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of East Peoria, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $32.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in East Peoria,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.