Quality Engineer

Actalent; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Newton, North Carolina is seeking a Quality Engineer for a fully onsite role. You will ensure products and processes meet quality standards and customer expectations while interfacing with OEM customers in a highly automated manufacturing environment.

You will develop and maintain quality systems, monitor performance, drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen, and lead CAPA, audits, and training across engineering and production teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 2+ years in quality engineering/QA in production, automotive preferred.
• Strong knowledge of quality principles, QA/QC methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.
• CAPA processes and documentation proficiency.
• GD&T reading and interpretation of drawings.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain QA processes to ensure product and process conformance.
• Monitor production to verify compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement CAPA actions to prevent recurrence.
• Conduct internal quality audits and support external audits (customer, regulatory, IATF).
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations to resolve quality issues.
• Analyze quality data and metrics to drive improvements against KPIs such as scrap, NRFT, and FTT.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.

Skills

Quality engineering

CAPA

GD&T

FMEA

SPC

PPAP

IATF 16949

Lean Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Minitab

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Quality Engineer

We are seeking a Quality Engineer for a fully onsite role in Newton, North Carolina. In this position, you ensure that products and processes meet established quality standards and customer expectations while directly interfacing with OEM customers. You develop and maintain quality control systems, monitor production performance, identify defects, and lead continuous improvement initiatives in a highly automated manufacturing environment. The role offers the opportunity to work with advanced automation, robotics, machine vision, and smart manufacturing technologies, driving meaningful improvements that directly impact production, quality, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance and quality control processes to ensure products meet internal and customer requirements.
• Monitor production operations to verify compliance with quality standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform detailed root cause analysis of defects and nonconformities, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence.
• Conduct internal quality audits and support external audits, including customer, regulatory, and IATF audits.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations teams to identify, investigate, and resolve quality issues.
• Analyze quality data and metrics to drive improvement activities that achieve established KPIs such as scrap cost, non-right-first-time (NRFT), and first-time-through (FTT).
• Lead continuous improvement and value-saving initiatives using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Review engineering designs, drawings, specifications, and design changes to identify potential quality risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and industry standards, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and other applicable ISO standards.
• Train production and engineering staff on quality standards, procedures, tools, and best practices to strengthen the overall quality culture.
• Lead automation-related quality projects from concept through implementation and optimization, ensuring robust quality controls are integrated into automated systems.
• Drive quality-focused improvements in advanced automation, robotics, machine vision, and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Support the creation and maintenance of quality documentation such as control plans, FMEAs, PPAPs, and inspection plans.
• Interpret and apply GD&T principles to ensure parts and assemblies meet dimensional and geometric requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance production performance, reduce defects, and improve operational efficiency.
• Perform all other duties related to quality engineering and continuous improvement as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• At least 2 years of experience in quality engineering or quality assurance within a production environment, preferably in automotive manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of quality engineering principles and practices, including quality assurance and quality control methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with IATF 16949 and ISO quality standards, including ISO 9001.
• Proficiency in corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes and documentation.
• Strong GD&T skills with the ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints and technical drawings.
• Solid understanding and practical use of core quality tools such as FMEA, SPC, control plans, and PPAP.
• Experience applying root cause analysis techniques, including 5 Whys and Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams.
• Ability to analyze quality data and production metrics to identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel, Minitab, or similar statistical software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with OEM customers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to tackle complex technical issues in a manufacturing environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in an automotive manufacturing environment or with OEM customers.
• Shainin certification or experience with Shainin problem-solving methodologies.
• Familiarity with advanced automation, robotics, machine vision, and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Experience leading automation projects from concept through implementation and optimization.
• Background in process optimization, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering within a production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead continuous improvement and value-saving initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen.
• Comfort working in cross-functional teams and collaborating with engineering, operations, maintenance, and supply chain.
• Ability to take ownership of automation systems and quality processes that directly impact production performance.
• Motivation to solve complex technical challenges and drive measurable improvements in quality and efficiency.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing quality documentation and audit activities.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite in a fast-paced, highly automated manufacturing facility in Newton, North Carolina. You work directly on the production floor and in engineering spaces, balancing hands-on troubleshooting with project execution and continuous improvement initiatives. The environment features advanced automation, robotics, machine vision, and smart manufacturing technologies supporting the future of mobility. You collaborate closely with experienced engineering, operations, maintenance, and supply chain teams in a global manufacturing setting where engineering and quality contributions are recognized and valued. The culture emphasizes teamwork, continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and strong career growth opportunities. Typical hours align with standard manufacturing schedules, with flexibility as needed to support production and audit activities. Attire is appropriate for a manufacturing environment, including safety-conscious clothing and any required personal protective equipment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Hickory, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $105000.00/yr.

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.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. 401(k) retirement savings plan with company-sponsored retirement benefits. Paid time off and company holidays. Life and disability insurance offerings. Employee assistance and wellness programs. Career development and advancement opportunities within a global manufacturing organization operating in numerous countries and facilities worldwide.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Hickory,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 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.