Quality Engineer

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength; Owatonna (MN); On-site; USD 78,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Fitness /Hammer Strength seeks a Quality Engineer to ensure the quality and performance of our global fitness equipment. You will lead problem solving, drive continuous improvement on the manufacturing floor, and mentor teams to meet quality standards.

Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, and suppliers using PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and capability studies to deliver robust quality systems and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of quality engineering or related manufacturing quality experience.
• Experience leading root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of SPC, Cp/Cpk, MSA, and statistical methods.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to analyze manufacturing quality data.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with cross‑functional influence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead structured root cause analysis and corrective action activities using 8D, 5‑Why, Fishbone, Pareto, and verification of effectiveness.
• Partner cross‑functionally to identify, contain, and resolve supplier, process, product, and reliability issues.
• Support and improve the Quality Management System, including ISO 9001 compliance activities.
• Develop and deliver quality training to improve awareness and problem‑solving capability.
• Collaborate on new product launches and production changes using PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and capability studies.
• Lead supplier quality improvement initiatives, including SCARs and containment actions.
• Drive NCR/MRB processes and recurrence prevention.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Data-driven decisions

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

SPC

MSA

Control Plans

PPAP

Calypso/PC‑DMIS

Minitab

Power BI

Python

Job description

Join us as we empower the world to work out, creating healthier lives together. At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we're dedicated to empowering the world to work out and creating healthier lives together. As a Quality Engineer, you'll play a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of industry-leading fitness equipment that serves customers around the globe. Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Quality teams, you'll lead problem‑solving initiatives, strengthen manufacturing quality systems, and drive continuous improvement efforts that enhance product performance and customer satisfaction. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact in a collaborative, fast-paced manufacturing environment while helping deliver innovative, high-performance workout solutions that customers trust.

As Our Quality Engineer, You Will

• Lead structured root cause analysis and corrective action activities using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, Pareto Analysis, and effectiveness verification.
• Partner cross-functionally to identify, contain, and resolve supplier, process, product, and reliability issues.
• Support and continuously improve the Quality Management System, including ISO 9001 compliance activities.
• Develop and deliver quality training that improves awareness, problem-solving capability, and consistent execution of quality requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, and suppliers during new product launches and production changes using PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and capability studies.
• Lead supplier quality improvement initiatives, including supplier corrective actions (SCARs), containment activities, escalations, and effectiveness verification.
• Drive resolution of nonconforming material through NCR/MRB processes, rework validation, risk assessment, and recurrence prevention.
• Analyze customer complaints, warranty, and field-quality data to identify trends and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other data-driven methodologies.
• Provide technical guidance and support to Quality Technicians and other team members.
• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor to support operators, supervisors, technicians, and engineers in resolving quality concerns.
• Own quality issues from containment through closure, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Conduct product, process, and quality system audits while driving corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Develop and improve inspection methods, measurement systems, Gauge R&R studies, and capability analyses.
• Create and maintain quality documentation including procedures, work instructions, PFMEAs, Control Plans, inspection plans, and quality records.
• Develop and communicate meaningful quality metrics and reports, including defect trends, scrap, rework, first-pass yield, PPM, NCRs, customer complaints, and supplier performance.
• Utilize statistical analysis and manufacturing data to identify opportunities for improvement and support business decisions.

What Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is looking for in our Quality Engineer:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of quality engineering or related manufacturing quality experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis, corrective actions, nonconforming material investigations, and manufacturing problem-solving efforts.
• Working knowledge of SPC, process capability analysis (Cp/Cpk), measurement system analysis, and statistical methods.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience analyzing manufacturing and quality data to identify trends and recommend solutions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities with a proven ability to independently drive results.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with precision measurement equipment, engineering drawings, GD&T, and dimensional inspection.
• CMM programming and operation experience, including Calypso and/or PC-DMIS.
• Experience with Minitab or similar statistical software.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and other core quality tools.
• Manufacturing experience involving machining, fabrication, welding, powder coating, paint, assembly, or related processes.
• ASQ CQE, CQA, CRE, Six Sigma, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with Power BI, Python, computer vision, or other advanced analytics and automation technologies.

Why Join Us?

You'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on product quality, customer satisfaction, and manufacturing excellence while collaborating with talented teams who are passionate about innovation and continuous improvement. If you thrive in a hands‑on manufacturing environment, enjoy solving complex problems, and are motivated by delivering exceptional results, we'd love to hear from you.

Work Environment

This position is primarily based in a manufacturing environment and may involve exposure to elevated noise levels. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required as applicable.

At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we think customer first, play as one team, and raise the bar on fitness innovation—in the gym and in every corner of our facilities. We persevere and get it done, with a clear purpose to inspire each other to live healthier lives. If you’re ready to bring out the best in people while powering the future of fitness manufacturing, we invite you.