Quality Engineer IV

Wabtec Corporation; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Annual performance bonus

Job summary

Wabtec Corporation in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a Quality Engineer IV to serve as a senior technical resource for quality engineering, quality systems, customer quality and manufacturing process improvement. You will lead high-impact initiatives that enhance product quality, customer confidence and manufacturing performance.

You will drive 8D and DMAIC initiatives, support APQP/PPAP readiness, and mentor teams while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and leveraging ERP/MES and digital QMS

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field preferred; equivalent quality/manufacturing experience accepted as outlined below.
• Minimum 8 years in Quality Engineering roles within industrial manufacturing environments, including customer-facing quality experience.
• Automotive experience preferred.
• Candidates without a degree may qualify with 10 years of relevant quality experience, including 4 years of customer-facing quality experience.
• Expert-level knowledge of quality engineering, quality systems, customer complaint management, ISO 9001, ERP/MES, and digital QMS platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of 8D, DMAIC, A3, FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, DOE, APQP/PPAP, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt, error proofing, statistical analysis, analytics, and available BI tools is required.
• Lean Practitioner/Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex customer complaints, containment, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and executive-ready updates.
• Drive systemic improvements using 8D, DMAIC, FMEA/PFMEA, DOE, SPC, MSA, analytics, and data-based problem solving.
• Support NPI from cradle to grave, including quality planning, process validation, launch support, and post-launch monitoring.
• Lead and support lean manufacturing, error proofing, process simplification, and process lean-out efforts to reduce waste and prevent defects.
• Mentor quality engineers, coach cross-functional teams, and provide oversight on complex technical quality decisions.
• Support supplier quality, field quality, warranty, rework, and FMI-related issue resolution as applicable.

Skills

Quality engineering

Quality systems

Customer quality

8D & DMAIC

FMEA/PFMEA

DOE/ SPC/ MSA

APQP/PPAP

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma Black Belt

BI tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/science

Equivalent quality/manufacturing experience

Tools

ERP/MES

Digital QMS platforms

Job description

As a Quality Engineer IV, you’ll serve as a senior technical resource for quality engineering, quality systems, customer quality, and manufacturing process improvement. You’ll lead high-impact initiatives that improve product quality, customer confidence, manufacturing performance, and cost of poor quality.

This role supports bus transit technologies including doors, lifts, ramps, e-Bus charging systems, driver protection barriers, windows, and related subsystems. You’ll work across manufacturing, customers, suppliers, engineering, operations, sales, and supply chain to solve complex quality issues and drive practical improvements.

How will you make a difference?

You’ll lead complex 8D and DMAIC initiatives, support APQP/PPAP readiness, facilitate FMEA/PFMEA risk mitigation, support lean manufacturing and error proofing, and evaluate New Product Introduction (NPI) from cradle to grave.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field preferred; equivalent quality/manufacturing experience accepted as outlined below.
• Minimum 8 years in Quality Engineering roles within industrial manufacturing environments, including customer-facing quality experience.
• Automotive experience preferred.
• Candidates without a degree may qualify with 10 years of relevant quality experience, including 4 years of customer-facing quality experience.
• Expert-level knowledge of quality engineering, quality systems, customer complaint management, ISO 9001, ERP/MES, and digital QMS platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of 8D, DMAIC, A3, FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, DOE, APQP/PPAP, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt, error proofing, statistical analysis, analytics, and available BI tools is required.
• Lean Practitioner/Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent experience preferred.

What will your typical day look like?

• Lead complex customer complaints, containment, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and executive-ready updates.
• Drive systemic improvements using 8D, DMAIC, FMEA/PFMEA, DOE, SPC, MSA, analytics, and data-based problem solving.
• Support NPI from cradle to grave, including quality planning, process validation, launch support, and post-launch monitoring.
• Lead and support lean manufacturing, error proofing, process simplification, and process lean-out efforts to reduce waste and prevent defects.
• Mentor quality engineers, coach cross-functional teams, and provide oversight on complex technical quality decisions.
• Support supplier quality, field quality, warranty, rework, and FMI-related issue resolution as applicable.
• Use KPIs, COPQ, scorecards, QMS data, statistical knowledge, and available BI tools to identify systemic risks and prioritize actions.
• Align quality priorities with leadership and support execution of the quality roadmap.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Work in an office environment with regular shop floor presence.
• Stand, walk, navigate manufacturing facilities, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift or move up to 25 lbs.
• Travel up to 10% to customers and manufacturing sites and suppliers.
• May be asked to travel internationally >5%.
• Assist with building, testing, and inspecting electro-mechanical systems as needed.

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.

Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met. Employment requires legal authorization to work in the U.S. and successful completion of applicable screenings.

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $129800-168500.The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. This role is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

• We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.