Quality Engineer (Manufacturing)

Kelly Services; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime potential

Onsite role

Professional environment

Safety footwear provided

Job summary

Kelly Services in Waterloo, IA, is seeking a Quality Engineer to support production with quality tools and drive improvement initiatives. The role focuses on ensuring superior product quality and customer satisfaction on an onsite basis, with a 1st shift and potential overtime.

Candidates should have a manufacturing/engineering background and strong data-analysis skills. The position emphasizes leading cross-functional quality projects, applying GD&T, and utilizing QA tools such as FMEA, SPC,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience with quality management principles and tools (FMEA, SPC, RCA, Control Plans, Gauge R&R, MSA, Capability Studies).
• Ability to read complex part drawings and apply GD&T principles.
• Strong data gathering, statistical analysis, and structured problem solving.
• Familiarity with gear or shaft manufacturing standards, processes and controls.
• Project management experience or familiarity with Power BI, Alteryx, Tableau, or Minitab (preferred).
• ASQ certifications (CQE, CSSGB, CSSBB) or drivetrain shop floor experience (preferred).
• Onsite work only; ability to stand/walk ~75% and lift up to 30 lbs; safety boots required.

Responsibilities

• Support production by applying quality tools to ensure top product quality.
• Lead issue resolution for drivetrain components using QIT, PFMEA, and Six Sigma.
• Plan, organize, and execute cross-functional quality initiatives.
• Utilize structured problem-solving and statistics to address manufacturing challenges.
• Maintain and update manufacturing process control plans.
• Drive customer warranty improvement projects and shop floor quality efforts.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Structured problem solving

Data-driven decisions

Onsite work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology / Engineering

Tools

FMEA

SPC

Root Cause Analysis

Control Plans

Gauge R&R

MSA

Capability Studies

Power BI

Alteryx

Tableau

Minitab

Job description

For those who want to keep growing, learning, and evolving.

We at Kelly® hear you, and we’re here for you! We’re seeking a Quality Engineer to work at a premier manufacturing client in Waterloo, IA. Sound good? Take a closer look below. You owe it to yourself to consider this great new opportunity.

Salary/Pay Rate/Compensation:

• $37 per hour (entry level)

• $41 per hour (2+ years experience)

Shift:

1st shift (7 am to 3:30 pm), possible overtime

Why you should apply to be a Quality Engineer:

• Competitive pay rates with potential for overtime.

• Work for a respected leader in the manufacturing industry.

• Opportunity to lead quality improvement initiatives and drive impactful projects.

• Business casual dress code in a professional, safety-focused environment.

• Onsite, hands-on role with tangible impact on product quality and customer satisfaction.

What’s a typical day as a Quality Engineer? You’ll be:

• Supporting production by leveraging quality tools and processes to ensure superior product quality performance.

• Leading issue resolution for drivetrain component manufacturing using QIT, PFMEA, DPQ, Six Sigma, and Smart Connected Factory initiatives.

• Planning, organizing, and executing cross-functional quality initiatives and projects.

• Utilizing structured problem-solving and statistical skills to address complex component manufacturing challenges.

• Managing, implementing, and updating control plans for manufacturing processes.

• Driving customer warranty improvement projects and supporting shop floor quality efforts.

This job might be an outstanding fit if you:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology, Engineering, or equivalent experience (must have).

• Possess experience with quality management principles and tools, such as FMEA, SPC, Root Cause Analysis, Control Plans, Gauge RR, MSA, and Capability Studies (must have).

• Can read and interpret complex part drawings and apply GD&T principles.

• Demonstrate advanced skills in data gathering, statistical analysis, and structured problem-solving.

• Are familiar with gear or shaft manufacturing standards, processes, and controls.

• Have experience in project management and/or familiarity with Power BI, Alteryx, Tableau, or Minitab (preferred).

• Hold ASQ certifications (CQE, CSSGB, CSSBB) or have drivetrain components shop floor experience (preferred).

• Are able to work onsite only (no remote) and can stand/walk for approximately 75% of the day, lifting up to 30 lbs as needed.

• Can adhere to safety requirements, including wearing metatarsal safety boots from your first day.

What happens next

Once you apply, you’ll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don’t worry—even if this position doesn’t work out, you’re still in our network. That means all of our recruiters will have access to your profile, expanding your opportunities even more.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly ® ?

As a worker today, it’s up to you to take charge of your career and look for opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve your potential. Helping you find what’s next is what we’re all about. We know what’s going on in the evolving world of work—just ask the 440,000 people we employ each year. Connecting with us means getting the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to take your career where you may have never imagined.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…