Quality Engineer

Actalent; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Portland, OR seeks a Quality Engineer to help a forging manufacturing facility scale through aerospace and defense markets. You will lead metallurgical quality, run root-cause analyses, and drive robust quality systems with cross‑functional teams and suppliers.

This hands-on role combines data analytics, Lean and Six Sigma methods, and hands-on inspection on the production floor about 40% of the time, with a strong emphasis on safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Engineering Physics, Chemistry, or related field.
• 35 years of experience in a quality engineering role in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using statistical analysis tools such as Minitab, JMP, or equivalent software.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify surface defects and quality issues.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with root cause analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for interactions with teams, suppliers, and labs.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and build cross-functional relationships.
• Proactive approach to quality improvement with initiative.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with safety and environmental regulations in manufacturing and forging operations.

Responsibilities

• Review manufacturing jobs to validate material, heat treatment, processing routes, and specs.
• Verify documentation aligns with specifications and procedures.
• Investigate metallurgical and heat-treatment issues and perform root cause analysis.
• Develop and verify corrective and preventive actions for non-conforming materials and processes.
• Manage third-party lab testing, submit samples, track progress, and review reports.
• Verify incoming material chemistry against certifications and specifications.
• Drive supplier corrective actions for materials not meeting requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Production, and suppliers to refine metallurgical programs.
• Support new product launches with defined materials and QA processes.
• Improve process capability and product consistency using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Apply data analytics to monitor performance and identify trends.
• Promote continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration.
• Communicate findings clearly in reports and presentations.
• Ensure safety and environmental regulation compliance.
• Contribute to quality documentation and control plans.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Lean Six Sigma mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering or related

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Job description

Job Title: Quality Engineer Job Description

The Quality Engineer supports a growing manufacturing facility by ensuring that materials, processes, and products meet stringent customer and industry requirements. This role focuses on metallurgical and heat-treatment quality, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement to support new product launches and expanding into highly regulated industries such as aerospace and defense. The Quality Engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to drive robust quality systems and sustained process capability.

Responsibilities

• Review new and revised manufacturing jobs to validate material selection, heat treatment requirements, processing routes, and compliance with customer specifications.
• Assess and confirm that all manufacturing documentation aligns with applicable specifications, standards, and internal procedures.
• Investigate metallurgical, quality, and heat-treatment issues, performing thorough root cause analysis to identify underlying causes of non-conforming materials, processes, and products.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions for non-conforming materials, processes, and products to prevent recurrence.
• Manage third-party laboratory testing by coordinating sample submissions, tracking test progress, reviewing technical reports, and determining appropriate disposition for failed results.
• Verify incoming material chemistry against certifications and specifications to ensure conformance and support supplier quality initiatives.
• Drive supplier corrective actions when incoming materials do not meet specified requirements.
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, Production, heat treatment vendors, and steel suppliers to develop and refine metallurgical programs that support current and future product needs.
• Support new product launches by ensuring that materials, heat-treatment processes, and quality controls are properly defined, validated, and documented.
• Improve process capability and product consistency using Lean, Six Sigma, and other quality methodologies and tools.
• Apply statistical analysis tools and data analytics to monitor process performance, identify trends, and recommend data-driven improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to promote a culture of continuous improvement and proactive quality management.
• Communicate findings, recommendations, and status updates clearly through written reports and verbal presentations.
• Ensure that quality-related activities adhere to applicable safety and environmental regulations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of quality documentation, including procedures, work instructions, and control plans.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Materials Engineering, Engineering Physics, Chemistry, or a related engineering or science field.
• 35 years of experience in a quality engineering role in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using statistical analysis tools and data analytics such as Minitab, JMP, or equivalent software.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify minute surface defects and subtle quality issues.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, including structured root cause analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for effective interaction with internal teams, suppliers, and external laboratories.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build strong cross-functional relationships.
• Proactive approach to quality improvement with a high level of initiative.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Familiarity with safety and environmental regulations relevant to manufacturing and forging operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Direct heat treatment experience, including understanding of heat-treatment processes and their impact on material properties.
• Experience working within AS9100 or other regulated quality management systems.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Interest in career growth opportunities across multiple locations and product lines.

Work Environment

This role is based in a forging manufacturing environment within a long-established facility that has operated for over a century and is experiencing significant growth, including expansion into aerospace and defense markets. The position is primarily office-based, but requires regular presence on the production floor, typically around 40% of the time depending on project demands. The production floor environment can be hot and dirty, with exposure to heavy industrial equipment, forging operations, and associated noise and heat. Team members work closely with production, engineering, and quality staff, as well as external vendors and laboratories, using tools such as statistical analysis software, ERP systems, and PLM systems. The culture emphasizes continuous improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and adherence to safety and environmental regulations while supporting long-term growth and development opportunities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Portland, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $110000.00/yr. 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. [Insert Benefits, e.g., health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.]

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Portland,IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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

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

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)

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.