Quality Engineer

SOUTH BAY SOLUTIONS; Mattos (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Life insurance

Safe Harbor 401(K)

401(K) match

Paid time off

Job summary

South Bay Solutions, Inc. is a high-precision machine shop serving semiconductor, medical, and advanced tech sectors. We seek a hands-on Quality Engineer to partner with production, engineering, and suppliers to assure product quality and process reliability on the shop floor.

You will implement control plans, PFMEAs, and inspection methods, perform capability studies, and lead root-cause investigations. A background in ISO 9001/13485 and metrology is valued.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in Quality Engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with shop-floor manufacturing teams and quality processes.
• Strong reading of engineering drawings, specs, and GD&T.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 quality systems.
• Proficient in quality tools (PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Gage R&R).
• Ability to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specs, and customer requirements to define manufacturing and inspection criteria.
• Develop and maintain control plans, PFMEAs, flow diagrams, inspection plans, and work instructions.
• Support new product introduction, process development, and qualification activities.
• Define inspection methods, sampling plans, and measurement strategies.
• Perform Gage R&R, MSA, capability studies, SPC, and process analysis to reduce variation.
• Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot, prevent defects, and drive improvement.
• Lead root-cause investigations using 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, and corrective actions.
• Manage nonconformances with suppliers and internal processes; drive timely closures.
• Participate in MRB activities and quality investigations; support customer complaints and RMAs.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions; verify effectiveness.
• Support supplier quality, audits, incoming inspection, and performance monitoring.
• Assist IQ/OQ/PQ and process validation activities; maintain quality documentation.
• Participate in audits; maintain traceability and quality records.
• Support change-control with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Analyze scrap, rework, defects, nonconformances, and trends; communicate to management.
• Lead continuous improvement focused on defect reduction and efficiency.
• Support Lean, 5S, and cross-functional quality initiatives.

Skills

Quality engineering

Root-cause analysis

Gage R&R

SPC

MSA

8D

PFMEA

Control plans

Process validation

GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing Quality Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

CMM/dimensional inspection

IQ/OQ/PQ

Advanced metrology

ISO 9001/13485 knowledge

Job description

About Us

South Bay Solutions is a high-precision machine shop, making parts for semiconductor, medical devices, and advanced tech hardware. Our tolerances are measured in microns, our equipment is top-of-the-line, and our team is passionate about quality craftsmanship.

About the Role

We are seeking a Quality Engineer with hands-on manufacturing experience to support and improve the quality, reliability, and consistency of our manufacturing processes. This role is ideal for a quality professional who enjoys working directly with production teams, investigating problems, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement on the shop floor.

The Quality Engineer will work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and suppliers to ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, quality systems, root-cause analysis, and statistical quality tools.

Schedule

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Key Responsibilities

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements and ensure they are properly translated into manufacturing and inspection requirements.
• Develop and maintain Control Plans, PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, inspection plans, and work instructions.
• Support new product introduction, process development, and manufacturing qualification activities.
• Develop appropriate inspection methods, sampling plans, and measurement strategies.
• Perform Gage R&R, MSA, capability studies, SPC, and process analysis to identify and reduce process variation.
• Work directly with production teams to identify quality issues, troubleshoot manufacturing problems, and prevent recurring defects.
• Lead root-cause investigations using structured problem-solving methods such as 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, and corrective action processes.
• Manage internal and supplier nonconformances and support timely implementation and closure of corrective actions.
• Participate in MRB activities, including investigation, documentation, disposition, and follow-up of nonconforming material.
• Support customer complaints, returns, RMAs, and quality-related investigations.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions and verify their effectiveness.
• Support supplier quality activities, including supplier audits, incoming inspection requirements, supplier corrective actions, and supplier performance monitoring.
• Assist with IQ/OQ/PQ and process validation activities for manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
• Participate in internal, customer, supplier, and certification audits.
• Maintain accurate quality records, inspection documentation, traceability records, and other quality-related documentation.
• Support engineering and manufacturing change-control activities and ensure appropriate quality reviews are completed.
• Analyze quality data, including scrap, rework, defects, nonconformances, returns, and process capability, and communicate trends to management.
• Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction, process capability, scrap reduction, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement activities.
• Work with Engineering and Manufacturing on design-for-manufacturability reviews, process improvements, tooling, fixtures, and measurement methods.
• Provide hands‑on quality support on the production floor and assist with troubleshooting as needed.
• Perform other quality-related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• 2–5 years of experience in Quality Engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on experience working with manufacturing and production teams in a shop‑floor environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, inspection methods, and quality control principles.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 quality management systems.
• Experience with quality tools including:
  • PFMEA
  • Control Plans
  • Process Flow Diagrams
  • 8D
  • 5-Why
  • Fishbone/Cause-and-Effect Analysis
  • SPC
  • MSA and Gage R&R
  • Process Capability Studies
  • PPAP
  • Corrective and Preventive Actions
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and suppliers.

Education & Preferred Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent manufacturing quality experience will also be considered.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience with CMM, dimensional inspection, or advanced metrology is a plus.
• Experience with manufacturing process validation, including IQ/OQ/PQ, is preferred.
• Knowledge of quality risk management and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Six Sigma, CQE, CSSGB, or other quality‑related certification is a plus.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision) paid 100% for employees
• Life insurance policy
• Safe Harbor 401(K) plan
• 401(K) match
• Paid time off (vacation/sick/holidays/floating holiday)
• Referral Program

*** We do not offer visa sponsorship***