Quality Engineer

NESC Staffing LLC; Rochester (NH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NESC Staffing LLC is seeking a Quality Engineer to drive quality improvements across production, supplier quality, and customer concerns. You will lead CAPA initiatives, implement PFMEAs and control plans, and collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Procurement to reduce defects and optimize processes.

The role requires 3–7 years in quality engineering or supplier quality within manufacturing, with strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years in quality, manufacturing, or supplier quality in a manufacturing environment.
• Structured problem-solving methodologies: 8D, A3, 5-Why, DMAIC, Six Sigma.
• Familiarity with SPC, measurement systems analysis, and capability studies.
• Experience in supplier quality management, audits, and PPAP/first article processes.
• ISO 9001 familiarity; knowledge of boiler/water heater standards is a plus.
• Strong data analysis skills using Excel or quality software (e.g., Minitab).

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause analyses for nonconformances, field issues, and complaints.
• Develop, implement, and validate control plans and PFMEAs with teams.
• Drive CAPA/SCAR programs to closure and sustained effectiveness.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams on PPAP and process validation.
• Report quality metrics and drive continuous improvement across functions.

Skills

Root cause analysis

5-Why

A3 problem solving

Statistical analysis

SPC

Gauge R&R

Minitab

CAPA/SCAR

Supplier quality

ISO 9001 familiarity

PPAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Six Sigma Green Belt

CQE/CSQP preferred

ASQ certification preferred

Tools

Minitab

Gauge R&R

Excel

PPAP tools

Job description

Quality Engineer

Quality Engineering & Process Improvement

• Analyze quality, scrap, rework, and warranty data to identify trends, prioritize improvement opportunities, and quantify cost of poor quality (COPQ).
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving (5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, A3) for internal nonconformances, field failures, and customer complaints.
• Develop, implement, and maintain control plans, PFMEAs, and process control methods (SPC, gauge R&R, capability studies) to stabilize and improve manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production teams to design and validate process improvements, error-proofing (poka-yoke), and inspection methods that prevent defects rather than detect them downstream.
• Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans through to verified, sustained closure.

Incoming Inspection Reduction & Supplier Quality

• Lead efforts to reduce reliance on incoming inspection by qualifying supplier processes, implementing source inspection or certified supplier programs, and validating supplier process capability.
• Serve as the primary supplier quality contact: lead supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), supplier audits, and capability assessments.
• Collaborate with Procurement to evaluate and develop supplier quality performance, including onboarding new suppliers and managing ongoing supplier scorecards.
• Work with suppliers on PPAP/first article approval, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives tied to incoming material quality.

Customer Quality

• Act as the primary point of contact within the quality team for external customer quality concerns, field issues, and warranty trends, partnering with Service to investigate and resolve.
• Translate field and warranty data into actionable internal improvement projects.
• Support customer audits, quality documentation requests, and complaint resolution with timely, data-driven responses.
• Communicate quality performance, corrective actions, and improvement plans clearly to both internal stakeholders and external customers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work daily with Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production teams, Procurement, and Service to align on quality priorities and resolve issues collaboratively.
• Participate in new product introduction (NPI) and design change processes to ensure manufacturability and quality requirements are addressed early.
• Support internal and external audits and maintain relevant quality documentation and records.
• Work with quality inspectors to report on quality metrics (defect rates, scrap, rework, warranty, supplier performance) and present findings to leadership.

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Reduction in COPQ (Scrap, Rework, Warranty) Month over Month.
• Reduction in incoming inspection activities through Supplier capability improvements.
• Closure rate and effectiveness of CAPA/SCAR (no repeat issues).
• Internal defect rates/ First Pass Yield improvements.

Experience and Qualifications

• 3–7 years of experience in a quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or supplier quality role, preferably within a manufacturing environment (HVAC, appliance, heavy equipment, or similar regulated/mechanical product industry strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience applying structured root cause and problem-solving methodologies (8D, A3, 5-Why, DMAIC, Six Sigma).
• Working knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), measurement systems analysis (gauge R&R), and process capability studies (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience with supplier quality management, including supplier audits, SCARs, and PPAP or first article inspection processes.
• Familiarity with FMEA development and control plan creation.
• Experience working with ISO 9001 (or similar) quality management systems; experience with ASME, UL, or other boiler/water heater industry codes and standards is a plus.
• Strong data analysis skills, including comfort working in Excel and/or quality/statistical software (Minitab or equivalent).
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineers, production personnel, suppliers, and customers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and drive corrective actions to closure independently.

Education and Training

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Quality, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field) required; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) preferred, or willingness to obtain.
• Training or certification in core quality tools (FMEA, SPC, MSA, APQP/PPAP) preferred.