Quality Engineer

Actalent; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Disability benefits

Job summary

Actalent’s Elkhart, IN site is seeking a Quality Engineer to apply established quality engineering principles and problem-solving methods to improve product quality, process capability, supplier performance, and customer satisfaction. This contract role supports an expanding plant and may transition to permanent employment.

You will drive root cause analysis, APQP/PPAP processes, and collaborative improvements with engineering, production, and supply chain teams while ensuring IATF compliance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a quality engineer.
• Prior automotive industry experience.
• Thorough knowledge and hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and corrective action processes.
• Strong root cause analysis and corrective action capability, including 5 Why, fishbone (Ishikawa), 8D, and effective containment methods.
• Proficiency in quality engineering principles and quality control methods.
• Experience with product and process audits and verification of corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret and apply customer-specific quality requirements and documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decisions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for interaction with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Ability to work in an automotive manufacturing environment and support quality activities across multiple functions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor internal, customer, and supplier quality performance to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead or support corrective and preventive actions using effective root cause analysis, containment, verification, and closure methods.
• Support customer requirements and quality objectives, including scorecards, customer portals, capacity analysis inputs, logistics quality information, and customer-specific quality documentation.
• Initiate actions to prevent nonconformities related to product, process, and quality systems, and identify, record, and appropriately elevate quality issues.
• Verify the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions and process improvements.
• Assist with monitoring supplier quality performance and managing supplier corrective actions, supplier audits, and supplier-related issue resolution.
• Support incoming inspection activities and troubleshoot material issues related to form, fit, function, documentation, or customer requirements.
• Respond effectively to supplier inquiries, quality concerns, and complaints while protecting customer and site requirements.
• Perform or support product and process audits to confirm compliance with PPAP, control plans, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Support MRB activities, including containment, sorting, disposition, rework verification, and nonconforming material processes.
• Ensure alignment with IATF expectations and internal quality system standards across production and supplier processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in engineering, production, and supply chain to drive continuous improvement in quality performance.

Skills

Quality engineering

Root cause analysis

APQP/PPAP

FMEA & Control Plans

MSA & SPC

8D problem solving

Analytical thinking

Documentation & compliance

Cross-functional teamwork

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Quality Engineer applies established quality engineering principles, tools, and problem-solving methods to improve product quality, process capability, supplier performance, and customer satisfaction. This role supports the Elkhart manufacturing site by maintaining compliance with internal quality systems, customer-specific requirements, IATF expectations, and safe manufacturing practices. The position begins as a contract role supporting a plant that is spearheading a new business segment and may lead to permanent employment in the future.

Responsibilities

• Monitor internal, customer, and supplier quality performance to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead or support corrective and preventive actions using effective root cause analysis, containment, verification, and closure methods.
• Support customer requirements and quality objectives, including scorecards, customer portals, capacity analysis inputs, logistics quality information, and customer-specific quality documentation.
• Initiate actions to prevent nonconformities related to product, process, and quality systems, and identify, record, and appropriately elevate quality issues.
• Verify the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions and process improvements.
• Assist with monitoring supplier quality performance and managing supplier corrective actions, supplier audits, and supplier-related issue resolution.
• Support incoming inspection activities and troubleshoot material issues related to form, fit, function, documentation, or customer requirements.
• Respond effectively to supplier inquiries, quality concerns, and complaints while protecting customer and site requirements.
• Perform or support product and process audits to confirm compliance with PPAP, control plans, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Support MRB activities, including containment, sorting, disposition, rework verification, and nonconforming material processes.
• Ensure alignment with IATF expectations and internal quality system standards across production and supplier processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in engineering, production, and supply chain to drive continuous improvement in quality performance.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a quality engineer.
• Prior automotive industry experience.
• Thorough knowledge and hands‑on experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and corrective action processes.
• Strong root cause analysis and corrective action capability, including use of 5 Why, fishbone (Ishikawa), 8D, and effective containment methods.
• Proficiency in quality engineering principles and quality control methods.
• Experience with product and process audits and verification of corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret and apply customer‑specific quality requirements and documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on data‑driven decisions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for interaction with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Ability to work in an automotive manufacturing environment and support quality activities across multiple functions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree preferred; candidates without a degree will be considered with additional relevant experience.
• Experience with IATF‑based quality systems and expectations.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management principles.
• Experience in supplier quality management, including supplier audits and supplier corrective actions.
• Comfort working with customer portals, scorecards, and logistics‑related quality information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, including urgent containment and customer response activities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high quality standards.

Work Environment

Work takes place in a combination of office, engineering, laboratory, warehouse, and manufacturing floor environments. Manufacturing areas may include moving equipment, powered industrial trucks, electrical test equipment, elevated noise levels, temperature variations, and required use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The role supports a plant that is launching a new business segment, offering exposure to new products and processes in a dynamic setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Elkhart, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $42.00/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 Elkhart,IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 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.