Quality Engineer

Polaris Inc.; Huntsville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Disability insurance

Gym reimbursement

Job summary

Polaris Inc. in Huntsville, TN is seeking a Quality Engineering Leader to provide frontline leadership for assembly production, ensuring safety and quality standards are met while driving quality solutions with manufacturing, engineering, and supplier partners.

You will coach hourly quality staff, prioritize issues, and lead containment, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to sustain high quality performance across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• 3 years of experience in quality, process engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in automotive or similar assembly manufacturing environments preferred.
• Proven ability to provide direct front-line leadership or supervision to a group of hourly employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of process improvement and quality methodologies (Kaizen, PFMEA, control plans, QMS).
• Experience conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership support to Quality Auditors, Technicians, and other hourly employees.
• Assign and schedule inspection, audit, containment, and quality activities to meet production needs and specifications.
• Coach, train, and develop hourly quality employees to strengthen capability and accountability.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for production quality issues.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards across internal processes and suppliers.
• Manage quality performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Front-Line Leadership

Problem Solving

Communication

Accountability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Engineering, Operations, or related field

Job description

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview

You will provide quality engineering leadership and front-line support for assembly production, ensuring that products and processes meet defined safety and quality standards. In this role, you will provide leadership support to hourly quality employees within assigned areas, while driving quality engineering solutions. You will balance proactive and reactive quality improvement work with shop-floor coordination, employee coaching, work prioritization, and issue escalation. You will work closely with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and other partners to resolve quality concerns, support new product initiatives, and sustain strong quality performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership support to Quality Auditors, Quality Technicians, Torque Specialists, and other assigned hourly employees, including setting expectations, coordinating priorities, and maintaining effective production support coverage.
• Assign and schedule inspection, audit, containment, and quality support activities to meet production needs, project deadlines, and defined specifications.
• Coach, train, and develop hourly quality employees to strengthen technical capability, consistency, accountability, and adherence to standard work.
• Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, failure analysis, and corrective and preventive action implementation for production quality issues.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards across internal manufacturing processes and external suppliers.
• Manage and report on quality performance metrics, identify trends, and lead continuous improvement initiatives while translating findings into clear priorities for the hourly quality team.
• Own and support quality processes for new product development, including production start-ups, tool validation, inspection readiness, and supplier certification.
• Develop and maintain inspection and testing processes, equipment requirements, inspection criteria, quality procedures, and work instructions that support process validation and issue containment.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal partners to inspect, contain, and address defective materials or components as needed.
• Support implementation of organizational quality initiatives, quality control policies, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and promote a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Manage assigned quality activities within approved budget parameters.

Desired Competencies

• Front-Line Leadership: You establish clear expectations, organize work effectively, coach hourly employees, and provide timely support in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Problem Solving: You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.
• Communication: You clearly convey information, ideas, priorities, and expectations to diverse audiences, adjusting your message to ensure understanding and alignment.
• Accountability: You take ownership of your responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and reinforce high standards for safety, quality, conduct, and results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Engineering, Operations, or related field required.
• 3 years of experience in quality, process engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in automotive or similar assembly manufacturing environments preferred.
• Proven ability to provide direct front-line leadership or supervision to a group of hourly employees in a manufacturing environment, including work assignment, scheduling, coaching, and development.
• Knowledge of process improvement and quality methodologies, Kaizen, PFMEA, control plans, quality management systems and print reading.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis, product or process failure analysis, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Strong communication, leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance technical engineering work and daily people-support responsibilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing environment with significant plant-floor presence and respond to changing production priorities.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% based on business needs.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE.

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing.

Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit‑sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay‑for‑performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.

About Polaris As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high‑quality product line‑up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL side‑by‑side off‑road vehicles; Sportsman all‑terrain off‑road vehicles; military and commercial off‑road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot moto‑roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry‑leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment‑related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or [e-mail]. To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov). At Polaris, the need for diverse perspectives and experiences enables our vision of Best People, Best Team. We value our differences and align our passions to do great work. As a highly efficient growth company, we are driven to be agile and adaptable to support our customers. At Polaris we unite to create memorable adventures. Learn more at http://www.polaris.com/careers