Quality Engineer

Actalent; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is hiring a Quality Engineer for electronics manufacturing in Lake Forest, CA. The role focuses on PBCA/PCBA quality, root-cause analysis, CAPA, and cross-functional collaboration to improve yield and reliability.

The candidate should have 3–5+ years in electronics manufacturing quality and hands-on experience with IPC/ISO9001 and QA/QC principles. This on-site position offers a contract-to-hire pathway and a competitive hourly rate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 3–5+ years of electronics manufacturing quality engineering experience.
• Experience with PBCA/PCBA manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of IPC, ISO 9001 and related quality systems.
• Root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Ability to analyze quality data with statistical quality tools.
• Proficiency reading engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs and docs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality management/document control systems.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations throughout manufacturing operations.
• Perform inspections of PCBAs, electronic assemblies, and related components.
• Review product quality data and investigate nonconformances, defects, and process deviations.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams to improve product quality and operational performance.
• Support internal audits, process audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, inspection records, and reporting metrics.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes and recommend improvements to reduce defects and improve yield.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation.
• Utilize statistical methods and quality tools to monitor process capability and product performance.
• Participate in customer quality initiatives and support supplier quality activities as needed.
• Promote a culture of quality excellence across cross-functional teams.

Skills

pcb assembly

capa

ipc

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline

Tools

Quality management systems

Job description

Quality Engineer (Electronics Manufacturing)

Location: Lake Forest, CA

Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Position Summary

Our client, a leading manufacturer of complex, high-reliability electronic and electromechanical products, is seeking a Quality Engineer to join their team in Lake Forest, CA. This individual will play a critical role in ensuring product quality and compliance throughout the manufacturing lifecycle, with a strong focus on Printed Board Circuit Assemblies (PBCA) and electronic assemblies. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in electronics manufacturing quality systems, root cause analysis, process improvement, and inspection methodologies. This position works closely with engineering, production, and quality teams to drive continuous improvement, resolve quality issues, and maintain the highest standards of performance and reliability for mission-critical products.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations throughout manufacturing operations.


• Perform and oversee inspections of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), electronic assemblies, and related components.


• Review product quality data and investigate nonconformances, defects, and process deviations.


• Lead root cause investigations and drive effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).


• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams to improve product quality and operational performance.


• Support internal audits, process audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Maintain accurate quality documentation, inspection records, and reporting metrics.


• Evaluate manufacturing processes and recommend improvements to reduce defects and improve yield.


• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and quality requirements.


• Utilize statistical methods and quality tools to monitor process capability and product performance.


• Participate in customer quality initiatives and support supplier quality activities as needed.


• Promote a culture of quality excellence across cross-functional teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline preferred.


• 3-5+ years of quality engineering experience within electronics manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or a similar high-reliability production environment.


• Experience supporting Printed Board Circuit Assembly (PBCA/PCBA) manufacturing processes.


• Strong understanding of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) principles.


• Knowledge of industry standards such as IPC, ISO 9001, and related quality systems.


• Experience conducting root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies.


• Ability to analyze quality data and apply statistical quality tools.


• Proficiency interpreting technical drawings, specifications, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality management/document control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• IPC certification or strong working knowledge of IPC standards.


• Experience in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments.


• Familiarity with corrective action systems, FMEAs, control plans, and process validation activities.


• Experience supporting regulated or high-reliability products.

What You'll Bring

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.


• A collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally.


• A continuous improvement mentality focused on driving measurable results.


• The ability to balance hands-on quality support with strategic quality initiatives.

Skills: pcb assembly, capa, ipc, Quality engineering, Quality assurance, Ppap, Root cause analysis, Supplier quality, Audit, Quality control, Iso 9001, Iso 13485, As9100, Corrective action plans, Pfmea, Inspection, Quality management system, Quality management

Top Skills Details

pcb assembly, capa, ipc

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Experience in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments.

Familiarity with corrective action systems, FMEAs, control plans, and process validation activities.

Experience supporting regulated or high-reliability products.

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lake Forest, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.00 - $55.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lake Forest,CA.

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.