Quality Engineer

Alubend; Woodstock (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Alubend USA is seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer in Woodstock, IL to drive quality systems on the shop floor and lead audits. You’ll inspect parts, generate quality documentation, and leverage AI extensively to accelerate workflows.

You will maintain ISO 9001 and AS9100 alignment, coordinate internal and supplier audits, and drive nonconformance resolution with root-cause analysis. Collaboration with engineering, production and suppliers is essential to delivering defect-free parts.

Qualifications

• Experience applying ISO 9001 and AS9100 requirements in manufacturing.
• Experience planning and leading internal, supplier and third‑party audits.
• Ability to read engineering drawings with GD&T and perform first article inspections.
• Strong documentation skills for quality plans, FAI, PPAP and CAPA.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the QMS to ISO 9001 and AS9100.
• Plan and carry out internal audits and lead customer/third‑party audits.
• Own nonconformance reports and drive CAPA through to closure.
• Manage document control, calibration records, traceability and supplier quality.
• Inspect parts on the shop floor and sign off first‑offs and in‑process checks.
• Program and run CMM inspections when required.
• Use AI tools to draft procedures and analyze inspection data.

Skills

Quality engineering

ISO 9001 / AS9100

Auditing

Measurement tools & GD&T

AI tools (ChatGPT, etc.)

CMM programming

Excel proficiency

Documentation & ERP

Tools

PC-DMIS

Calypso

FARO/3D Scanning

CMMs

ERP/QMS software

Job description

Woodstock, Illinois | Quality / Operations | Reports to: Management | Employment type: [TBC]

About the role

Alubend USA does custom aluminum profile bending, forming, machining and fabrication for aerospace, defense, automotive and industrial customers. We run our business on an AI-driven ERP system and are implementing ISO 9001 at our US site. We’re looking for a hands‑on Quality Engineer who is as comfortable at the surface plate as at the keyboard. You’ll inspect parts in the factory, run our audits, produce all of your own quality documentation, and use AI extensively to work faster.

What you’ll do

Quality systems and audits

• Maintain and improve our quality management system to ISO 9001 and AS9100 requirements
• Plan and carry out internal audits, and lead the site through customer and third‑party certification audits
• Own nonconformance reports, root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, fishbone) and corrective and preventive actions through to closure
• Manage document control, calibration records, traceability and supplier quality

Customer requirements and planning

• Review customer inquiries, RFQs, drawings and purchase orders for quality requirements, working with estimating before we quote or accept an order
• Create quality plans, control plans, inspection plans and process FMEAs for new parts and processes
• Prepare and submit PPAP packages
• Prepare first article inspection (FAI) reports to AS9102
• Manage material certificates, certificates of conformity and customer‑specific requirements

Hands‑on inspection

• Work on the shop floor every day, supporting production, signing off first‑offs and in‑process checks, and doing final inspection
• Inspect bent, formed and machined aluminum parts using the full range of measuring equipment, including:
• calipers, micrometers, height gauges and bore gauges
• radius gauges, thread gauges and profile templates
• checking fixtures and surface plate setups
• Verify aluminum temper and material properties with hardness and conductivity testing
• Program and run CMM inspections, or portable arm and 3D scanning inspections, where required
• Design and validate inspection fixtures and gauging with engineering
• Train operators in inspection methods and good measurement practice

AI and digital tools

• Use company‑approved AI tools extensively to:
• draft and maintain procedures, work instructions, quality plans and audit reports
• build FAI and PPAP documentation from drawings and inspection data
• analyze inspection data, find trends and support root cause investigations
• prepare for audits by checking our records against the requirements of each standard
• Check all AI output against drawings, standards and measured results before it’s released
• Never put ITAR‑controlled, export‑controlled or customer‑confidential data into AI tools or systems that aren’t approved for it
• Help build and improve the AI‑driven quality workflows in our ERP

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience as a quality engineer in a manufacturing environment
• A thorough working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100
• Direct experience of internal, customer and third‑party certification audits
• Experience preparing PPAP submissions and AS9102 first article inspection reports
• Experience creating quality plans, control plans and inspection plans
• Strong understanding of measurement methods and of every common inspection tool, plus gauge calibration and MSA/Gauge R&R
• Confidence reading engineering drawings and GD&T
• A hands‑on approach:you’re happy on the factory floor, and you produce and maintain all of your own documentation
• Regular, practical use of AI toolssuch as ChatGPT, Claude or Copilot in a work setting
• Understanding of ITAR and export‑control responsibilities, or the ability to learn them quickly
• Strong Excel skills, plus experience with ERP or quality management software
• Clear written and verbal communication with customers, auditors and shop‑floor staff

Nice to have

• CMM programming and operation(PC-DMIS, Calypso or similar)
• Portable CMM arm or 3D scanning experience, such as FARO or Hexagon
• Aluminum extrusion, bending, forming, heat treatment or machining experience
• ISO 9001 or AS9100 lead auditor certification, or internal auditor training
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)
• Experience with IATF 16949 or the automotive core tools (APQP, FMEA, SPC)
• Experience in an ITAR‑registered or defense‑supply environment

Eligibility:

This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person, defined as a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3). Successful applicants will be asked to verify U.S. person status before an offer is confirmed.

Alubend USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.