Quality Engineer

DEMA Engineering Company; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

DEMA Engineering Company is seeking a Quality Engineer to embed quality into processes, not just final inspection. You will work hands-on across Quality, Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, suppliers, and customers to improve product and process quality on the manufacturing floor.

You will lead root cause analyses, analyze quality data, and support containment of nonconforming materials. The role requires reading schematics, control plans, and applying ISO 9001 standards while driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; Associate's degree or equivalent technical education and experience considered.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible quality engineering or related manufacturing experience.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, data analysis, and process improvement.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, control plans, and other technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, including ISO 9001.
• Experience with CMMs, vision systems, comparators, gauges, or other precision measurement equipment preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365; advanced Excel and ERP/MRP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply quality engineering principles, inspection and testing methods, and data analysis to evaluate and improve product and process quality.
• Lead or facilitate root cause analysis and corrective actions for internal, supplier, customer, and warranty-related quality issues.
• Analyze quality data and trends to identify risks, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support containment and disposition of nonconforming products and materials.
• Develop and maintain CMM programs and other inspection and measurement processes.
• Provide technical guidance and training on measurement practices, inspection equipment, and quality procedures.
• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to resolve quality issues and support business objectives.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Process improvement

Problem solving

Communication

Quality systems knowledge

ISO 9001 knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Associate's degree or equivalent technical education and experience considered

ASQ certification a plus

Tools

CMMs

Vision systems

Gauges

ERP/MRP

MS Excel (advanced)

Job description

Reports To: Director of Quality & Organization Excellence

Build Quality Into the Process - Not Just Into the Inspection

At DEMA, quality is more than checking a finished product. It's about understanding how and why things work, identifying opportunities to improve, and working with the people closest to the process to make it better.

We're looking for a Quality Engineer who enjoys solving problems, working with data, and turning quality challenges into lasting improvements. This is a hands‑on engineering role where you'll work across Quality, Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, suppliers, and customers to improve product and process quality.

If you enjoy digging into a problem, finding the root cause, and seeing your solution make a difference on the manufacturing floor, we'd like to hear from you.

What You'll Do

Quality Engineering & Problem Solving

• Apply quality engineering principles, inspection and testing methods, and data analysis to evaluate and improve product and process quality.
• Lead or facilitate root cause analysis and corrective actions for internal, supplier, customer, and warranty‑related quality issues.
• Analyze quality data and trends to identify risks, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support containment and disposition of nonconforming products and materials.

New Product & Process Quality

• Support customer PPAPs and APQP activities, including FMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flows, and related quality documentation.
• Perform first article inspections for new and revised production parts.
• Identify critical product and process characteristics and establish appropriate inspection and control methods.
• Support implementation and validation of new or revised products, processes, equipment, and inspection methods.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct internal process and system audits supporting the Integrated Management System (IMS) and applicable ISO requirements.
• Monitor quality KPIs and develop reporting that helps the organization understand quality performance.
• Participate in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, variation, waste, and process inefficiencies.
• Review and improve quality procedures, work instructions, inspection methods, and related documentation.

Metrology & Technical Support

• Develop and maintain CMM programs and other inspection and measurement processes.
• Perform measurement system analysis and support calibration and gauge management activities.
• Provide technical guidance and training on measurement practices, inspection equipment, and quality procedures.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to resolve quality issues and support business objectives.
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, corrective actions, and project status clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• Provide technical leadership and influence across functions without direct supervisory responsibility.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who brings a combination of technical quality expertise, curiosity, sound judgment, and strong collaboration skills.

Required Or Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; Associate's degree or equivalent technical education and experience considered.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible quality engineering or related manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective action, data analysis, and process improvement.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, control plans, and other technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, including ISO 9001.
• Experience with CMMs, vision systems, comparators, gauges, or other precision measurement equipment preferred.
• Knowledge of statistical quality concepts and measurement system analysis preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365; advanced Excel and ERP/MRP experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical, technical, mathematical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across departments and organizational levels.
• ASQ or similar quality certification is a plus.

Why DEMA?

DEMA is a family‑owned company with a long history of manufacturing products that serve customers around the world. We value honesty, respect, hard work, and teamwork.

We believe good ideas can come from anywhere. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to work directly with our manufacturing teams, investigate real problems, collaborate with experienced professionals, and help turn ideas into measurable improvements.

This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact— not simply maintain a quality system.

A Few Things That May Make This Role a Great Fit

You Might Enjoy This Role If

• Like figuring out why something went wrong instead of simply identifying that it went wrong.
• Enjoy moving between data, technical documentation, and the manufacturing floor.
• Can explain a technical problem to an operator, engineer, manager, customer, or supplier in a way that makes sense to each audience.
• Prefer a role where you can influence change without needing a supervisory title.
• Take pride in finding practical solutions that prevent problems from coming back.

DEMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable law.