Quality Engineer (Operational Excellence)

Morton Industries; Morton (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Morton Industries, LLC is seeking a Quality Engineer – Operational Excellence to advance Destination 2030 across six facilities in Central Illinois. The role designs error-proofing devices, leads root-cause analyses, and partners with Process Engineering to turn defect data into measurable improvements in on-time delivery, reduced defects, and employee development.

Travel up to 20–30% to other Morton facilities; requires a Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering degree and CQE or Six

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
• 3–5 years of quality/manufacturing/process engineering in metal fabrication environments.
• Experience with poka-yoke and root-cause methodologies.
• ERP-based quality systems experience; Epicor preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, pilot, and scale poka-yoke devices at high-risk steps.
• Lead structured root-cause analysis (5-Why, fishbone, 8D) across facilities.
• Develop standard work documentation, process control plans, and Kaizen events.
• Support supplier quality agreements and inspection standards; supplier corrective actions.
• Provide engineering support to Quality Circle sessions with A3 methodology.
• Analyze defect data per facility using Pareto analysis to prioritize drivers.
• Support On-Time Delivery by reducing scrap- and rework-driven variance.
• Train operators and quality circle members on error-proofing methods and tools.
• Maintain CAPA and non-conformance documentation to audit-ready standards.
• Report Destination 2030 action items and defect-reduction metrics to Steering Committee.
• Travel 20–30% across Morton Industries facilities.

Skills

Root-cause analysis

Poka-yoke design

Facilitation

Data-driven

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

ASQ CQE or Six Sigma Belt (preferred)

Tools

Epicor ERP

Power BI

Excel

CMM

Gauges & calipers

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Morton North - Morton, IL 61550

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $105,000.00

Travel Percentage: Less than 10%

Integrity In Action

We do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

Focused on Team Success

We achieve company goals through camaraderie and serving together.

Driven to Deliver

We fulfill our commitments with exceptional effort.

Consistent Progress

We are dedicated to the ongoing improvement of our people and processes.

Professional Authenticity

We bring excellence using our individuality.

Position Summary

Morton Industries, LLC is adding a Quality Engineer – Operational Excellence to support Destination 2030, the company's multi-year strategic quality roadmap spanning all six facilities. This is a net-new role dedicated to Operational Excellence activities across the full arc of the strategy, rather than a single facility or objective. The Quality Engineer designs and scales error-proofing solutions, leads structured root-cause analysis for recurring and cross-facility defect drivers, and partners with Process Engineering, the Continuous Improvement Lead, and facility Quality Circles to convert standardized defect data into measurable, sustained improvement — supporting Employee Development, Reduced Defects, and On-Time Delivery in turn.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, pilot, and scale poka-yoke (error-proofing) devices and in-process checks at the highest-risk process steps identified through standardized defect data (Destination 2030 Action #8)


• Lead structured root-cause analysis — 5-Why, fishbone, A3, and 8D methodologies — for recurring and cross-facility defect drivers


• Partner with the Process/Manufacturing Engineering on standard work documentation, process control plans, and quarterly Kaizen events


• Support supplier quality agreements, monitoring incoming-material inspection standards, and supplier corrective-action requests (Action #9)


• Provide engineering support to monthly Quality Circle sessions, helping cross-functional teams apply the A3 method to top defect drivers


• Analyze standardized defect data in Epicor's Quality module to identify and prioritize top defect drivers by facility using Pareto analysis


• Support the On-Time Delivery objective indirectly by reducing scrap- and rework-driven schedule variance


• Support the Employee Development objective by training operators, technicians, and Quality Circle members on error-proofing methods, root-cause tools, and standard work


• Maintain non-conformance, corrective-action (CAPA), and process control plan documentation to audit-ready standards


• Report on assigned Destination 2030 action items and defect-reduction metrics to the Steering Committee and quarterly scorecard as needed


• Travel periodically across MNO, MSO, MTN, MTX, MEP, and MDAL to support facility-specific defect-reduction initiatives (estimated 20–30%)

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on manufacturing experience will be considered in lieu of a degree


• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt, or Six Sigma Black Belt preferred

Experience

• 3–5 years of quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or process engineering experience in a machining, welding, or metal fabrication production environment


• Demonstrated hands-on experience with structured root-cause analysis (5-Why, fishbone diagrams, A3, 8D)


• Experience designing, piloting, and validating poka-yoke/error-proofing solutions on the shop floor


• Experience with ERP-based quality or non-conformance systems; direct Epicor experience is a strong plus


• Multi-site manufacturing experience is a plus, given this role's scope across six facilities

Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of GD&T, blueprint/drawing interpretation, and standard inspection equipment (calipers, micrometers, gauges, CMM)


• Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC) and basic process capability analysis (Cpk/Ppk)


• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma tools: Kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, and standardized work


• Strong Microsoft Excel skills; familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting/visualization tools is a plus


• Working understanding of common failure modes in machining, welding, and fabrication processes (tool wear, weld defects, dimensional drift, material-handling damage)

Soft Skills

• Strong facilitation skills — comfortable leading or co-leading cross-functional Quality Circle and Kaizen teams that include operators, technicians, and supervisors


• Clear written and verbal communication across audiences ranging from shop-floor operators to plant and executive leadership


• Self-directed and comfortable prioritizing across multiple facilities and competing requests


• A coaching orientation — genuinely invested in building others' problem-solving skills, not just solving problems personally


• Data-driven but practical; able to translate Pareto charts and control plans into shop-floor action

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily based at an assigned Central Illinois facility, with regular, sustained presence on the production floor (safety glasses, hearing protection, and other PPE required per site policy)


• Periodic travel (estimated 20–30%) to other Morton Industries facilities (MNO, MSO, MTN, MTX, MEP, MDAL)


• Ability to stand, walk, and move through production areas for extended periods; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs

Qualifications

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 2 years quality engineering experience within a manufacturing environment


• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering or similar field

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS

• High level of proficiency using spreadsheet applications such as Excel, including the use of pivot

Attendance

In order to perform this job the employee must meet all Company attendance requirements.

Safety

The ability to continuously practice safe habits in the workplace while following all policies and procedures related to health and safety

Morton Industries, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, among other things, or as a qualified individual with a disability. Equal Employment Opportunity is the law.