Quality Engineer I

Komatsu Mining Corp.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Komatsu Mining Corp. in Milwaukee is seeking a Quality Engineer I to provide hands-on quality support in a manufacturing environment.

You will partner with operators, team leads, and Operations leadership to prevent and resolve quality issues on the floor and learn the processes and products in the assigned area. The role emphasizes problem-solving, containment verification, and data-driven improvements to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a technical field as listed.
• Two years of related manufacturing/quality experience acceptable with one of the listed degrees.
• Strong knowledge of drawings, specs and measurement tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily floor-based quality support and verify containment to maintain flow of conforming product.
• Perform audits (product, process, workstation, layered) and document findings; drive closure.
• Support nonconformance investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Maintain inspection plans, work instructions, quality records, defect notifications, and evidence in systems.
• Analyze defect, scrap, rework, and audit data; communicate trends in daily meetings.
• Participate in continuous-improvement activities and operator training.

Skills

Technical drawings

Specifications

Measurement equipment

Problem-solving methods

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/quality/manufacturing/materials science

Associate degree + 2 years experience

4 years of equivalent experience

Tools

SAP Quality Management

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Requisition ID: 37524

Onsite or Remote: Onsite Position

Join Komatsu and Be Part of Something Big!

Job Overview

The Quality Engineer I provides hands-on quality support to an assigned manufacturing area and partners daily with operators, team leads, manufacturing engineers, and Operations leadership to prevent and resolve quality issues. The role is expected to maintain a regular, visible presence on the manufacturing floor, learn the processes and products in the assigned area, and use established quality methods to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction. Work is performed with guidance from more experienced quality professionals and the site Quality leader.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Provides daily floor-based quality support, responds to production concerns, verifies containment, and helps Operations maintain the flow of conforming product.
• Performs product, process, workstation, and layered audits; documents findings and follows assigned actions through closure.
• Supports nonconformance investigation, material review, root-cause analysis, and corrective action using established problem-solving methods.
• Maintains inspection plans, work instructions, quality records, defect notifications, and objective evidence in approved business systems.
• Collects and analyzes defect, scrap, rework, audit, and process data; communicates trends and abnormalities during daily Operations meetings.
• Participates in continuous-improvement activities, calibration checks, first-article reviews, and operator training as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related technical field; or an Associate Degree plus two years of relevant manufacturing/quality experience; or four years of equivalent relevant experience.
• 0-2 years of Qality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Inspection, or Production-Support experience.
• Working knowledge of technical drawings, specifications, basic measurement equipment, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Ability to analyze data, maintain accurate records, and communicate respectfully and clearly with operators and leaders in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability and willingness to spend a substantial portion of the workweek on the manufacturing floor and to comply with all required PPE and site safety practices.
• No professional certification is required. Completion of site-required safety and job-specific training is required.
• Ability to travel up to 5%, generally by car or airplane for training, audits, supplier visits, or issue investigation; occasional overnight travel may be required.

Preferred Skills

• Internship, co-op, or work experience in a heavy industrial, machining, welding, assembly, or similar manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP/QMS tools such as SAP Quality Management and with Microsoft Excel.
• Exposure to ISO 9001, 8D, 5 Why, fishbone analysis, FMEA, control plans, or statistical process control.
• Training in Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement.
• Experience using dimensional inspection tools and basic metrology practices.

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

At Komatsu we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions.We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of the communities we work and live in. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose.We are authentic, ambitious, and innovative in our pursuit of Diversity & Inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.

Company Information

Komatsu is a world leader in manufacturing construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment. Founded in 1921, Komatsu has a long history of quality, reliability, innovation, and excellence. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu facilities, distributors and dealers are in more than 140 countries and employ more than 60,000 people. Komatsu offers a diverse and challenging work environment, where you can grow your skills and career, and contribute to a sustainable, clean-energy future. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, be a part of something big and join a team that is shaping the world!