Quality Engineer

Orion Castings; Maple Lake (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Castings in Minnesota seeks a Quality Engineer to ensure die castings and precision machined parts meet requirements from launch to shipment. You will collaborate with production, process engineering, suppliers and customers to prevent defects and strengthen the quality system.

This is a development role with a defined path toward Quality Manager, on-site with up to 10% travel. Strong GD&T, PFMEA, and root-cause skills are required to drive improvements across processes.

Qualifications

• U.S. person as defined by ITAR; access to ITAR-controlled data.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, metallurgy or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of manufacturing quality or process engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC and MSA.
• Strong GD&T and blueprint reading.
• Experience leading root cause and corrective action (8D, 5 Why, fishbone).

Responsibilities

• Lead product and process quality investigations for die casting and machining.
• Develop and maintain control plans, PFMEAs, and inspection programs.
• Run SPC, MSA, and gauge R&R studies; analyze defects.
• Prepare APQP deliverables and PPAP submissions.
• Lead 8D and root cause investigations; implement corrective actions.
• Support customer portals, supplier audits, and quality records.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 audits and ITAR procedures.

Skills

Data analysis

GD&T

Root cause analysis

Blueprint reading

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or metallurgy

Tools

CMM

X-ray/CT

Job description

Quality Engineer - Die Casting and Precision Machining

Position Summary

The Quality Engineer ensures that die castings and high-precision machined parts meet customer and internal requirements, from launch through shipment. The role works hands-on with production, process engineering, suppliers and customers to prevent defects, solve problems and strengthen the quality system. It is a development role with a defined path toward Quality Manager.

Reports to

Quality Manager

Direct reports

None; may lead Quality Technicians on assigned projects

FLSA status

Location

On site; travel up to 10%

Key Responsibilities

Product and process quality

• Die casting: Investigate and reduce porosity, cold shuts, flow lines, blisters and inclusions with Process Engineering; support alloy chemistry verification, X-ray/CT and leak testing.
• Machining: Verify dimensional quality on machined castings and billet parts, including GD&T, first-article and in-process inspection; work with the CMM Programmer on inspection plans.
• Build and maintain control plans, PFMEAs, work instructions and gauge requirements for assigned part families.
• Run SPC, MSA and gauge R&R studies; use scrap and defect data to target improvements.
• Prepare APQP deliverables and PPAP or first-article submissions for new and changed parts.
• Lead 8D and root cause investigations for assigned customer complaints; drive containment and verify corrective actions.
• Support customer portals, scorecards and customer visits.
• Support supplier qualification and audits for alloy, billet stock, tooling and outside processing.
• Set incoming inspection requirements for outside paint and coating vendors, including pretreatment, film thickness, adhesion, cure and appearance.

Quality system and compliance

• Support ISO 9001 internal audits and registrar and customer audits.
• Handle ITAR-controlled drawings, quality records and technical data according to the plant's export control procedures.
• Conduct layered process audits and train operators on quality standards.

Qualifications

Required

• Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.62), such as a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident or protected individual (e.g., an asylee or refugee), because this role requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, metallurgy or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of manufacturing quality or process engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC and MSA.
• Strong GD&T and blueprint reading.
• Experience leading root cause and corrective action (8D, 5 Why, fishbone).

Preferred

• Experience in an ITAR-compliant or defense supply chain environment.
• Experience with CMM, X-ray/CT or porosity standards.
• ASQ CQE or CQA, Six Sigma Green Belt, or ISO 9001 internal auditor training.

Skills

• Clear communication with operators, engineers, suppliers and customers.
• Strong data analysis (Excel, Minitab, SPC software).
• Sound judgment on containment and disposition decisions.

Path to Quality Manager

The Quality Engineer role is designed to develop into Quality Manager. Progression is based on performance and demonstrated growth in these areas:

Area

Quality Engineer

Ready for Quality Manager

Scope

Assigned part families and complaints

All products, customers and suppliers

Leadership

Leads projects and technicians informally

Leads the quality team across all shifts

Quality system

Owns the QMS and certification

Customers

Prepares PPAPs and 8Ds

Primary quality contact; owns scorecards and PPM

Supports audits and incoming inspection

Approves, audits and develops suppliers

Credentials

CQE or Green Belt encouraged

CQE or CMQ/OE, Black Belt, or lead auditor preferred

Working Conditions and Safety

The role splits time between the office and production areas with heat, noise, molten metal and machining operations.

• Follow plant safety rules for molten metal, chip and dust handling, and hot work.
• Wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe shoes, long sleeves and FR clothing in designated areas.
• Walk and stand for long periods, climb stairs and lift up to 35 lbs.
• Be available across shifts and occasional weekends for launches or customer issues.

Orion Castings is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.