Quality Engineering Specialist

Prolec-GE Waukesha, Inc; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Prolec-GE Waukesha, Inc. seeks a Quality Engineer Specialist to lead root cause analyses, drive failure investigations, and define standards to prevent product escapes in a large-scale manufacturing setting.

The role emphasizes technical reporting, data-driven decisions, and continuous quality improvements across cross-functional teams. The position requires strong analytical skills, experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• Progressive experience in high-stakes quality engineering.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Lean manufacturing and SPC experience.
• Familiarity with analytics tools (PowerBI/Tableau, Minitab, JMP).

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause analysis and failure investigations for in-plant, FAT, and field issues.
• Author technical reports with statistical evidence and conclusions.
• Direct containment actions and long-term preventive measures.
• Define and optimize manufacturing processes for quality.
• Drive Lean initiatives to reduce non-value-added inspection and defects.
• Oversee ISO 9001 compliance and internal audits.
• Perform COQ analyses and provide data-driven quality insights.
• Develop and deliver training on inspection techniques and quality standards.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Failure Investigation

Technical Reporting

Statistical Analysis

Lean / CI

Quality Assurance

Data-Driven Decision Making

Training & Mentorship

Cross-functional Collaboration

Documentation & Process Mapping

Digital & AI Literacy

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

ISO 9001 knowledge/experience

Tools

Minitab

JMP

PowerBI

Tableau

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Engineer Specialist (QES) serves as a critical technical authority on quality, responsible for ensuring the absolute integrity and reliability of our products within a large-scale manufacturing environment. In this role, you will lead complex failure investigations, drive root cause analysis (RCA), and define the technical standards required to prevent product escapes. By leveraging advanced statistical analytics and rigorous engineering oversight, you will ensure total compliance with ISO 9001 standards, elevate our technical reporting capabilities, and serve as the primary quality representative for cross-functional product teams. Your focus will be the continuous hardening of our quality systems and the systematic elimination of technical defects to ensure the highest level of product performance and customer satisfaction.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Failure Investigation: Lead cross-functional investigations into in-plant non-conformances, Factory acceptance Testing (FAT) Failures, and field-returned failures. Utilize advanced methodologies (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D) to move beyond superficial symptoms and identify underlying systemic root causes.
• Technical Reporting & Documentation: Author comprehensive, high-quality technical reports that document investigation findings, statistical evidence, and final conclusions. Translate complex technical data into actionable insights for both shop-floor teams and quality leadership.
• Failure Analysis & Mitigation: Conduct forensic analysis of components and assemblies to understand failure modes. Direct the implementation of immediate containment actions and long-term preventive measures to eliminate recurrence.
• Operational Excellence & Quality Planning: Define and modify manufacturing processes to optimize efficiency while maintaining strict quality standards.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Culture: Direct process improvement initiatives, utilizing Lean tools to minimize non-value-added inspection activities and decrease non-conforming material rates while strengthening process controls.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Oversee ISO 9001 compliance and audit programs. Design and deploy innovative audit tools to ensure sustainable quality performance.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Perform Cost of Quality (COQ) analyses. Provide management with data-backed insights on quality trends, cost impacts, and systemic process risks.
• Training & Mentorship: Develop and conduct training on technical inspection techniques, test equipment, and product quality standards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Technical Writing: Proven ability to write concise, professional technical reports and investigation summaries that satisfy both internal quality requirements and external customer expectations.
• Failure Analysis Methodology: Strong background in analytical problem-solving with a focus on methodical, data-backed failure investigations.
• Collaborative Leadership: Ability to facilitate RCA meetings, bring together engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to drive toward resolution.
• Advanced Analytical Fluency: Strong proficiency in statistical tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP) and experience leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate quality trends. Ability to synthesize large datasets into clear, data-driven narratives for stakeholders
• Digital Proficiency & AI Literacy: Demonstrated curiosity and aptitude for emerging manufacturing technologies. A desire to explore AI-driven quality monitoring, automated inspection systems, and digital twin concepts to optimize process control
• Technical Communication & Reporting: Exceptional ability to translate complex failure analysis into professional, high-impact technical reports. Ability to distill forensic findings into actionable insights for diverse audiences, from shop-floor technicians to executive leadership.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: An expert team player with strong interpersonal skills; able to facilitate cross-functional RCA teams and build consensus at all levels of the organization.
• Documentation & Process Mapping: Strong ability to document, analyze, and re-engineer complex manufacturing processes, ensuring that standard work is accurate, scalable, and audit-ready

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education / Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Materials) or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education / Experience

• Progressive Experience: Track record of increasing responsibility in high-stakes quality engineering, specifically within large-scale assembly or heavy equipment manufacturing.
• Advanced Methodologies: Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Continuous Improvement: Hands-on experience with Lean Manufacturing, including VSM (Value Stream Mapping), Kaizen, and robust SPC (Statistical Process Control) implementation.
• Digital & Analytical Aptitude: Demonstrated ability to leverage data visualization tools (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau) and statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP) to drive process improvements. Interest in applying AI/Machine Learning tools to quality monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Technical Writing: Proven ability to author high-impact technical reports, investigation summaries, and root cause analysis documentation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Key Working Relationships

Functional Leaders: Engineering, Human Resources, Sales Operations, Sourcing.

Physical Demands

Must be able to stand for extended periods of time

Ability to work at heights while utilizing appropriate fall protection and operating or working from equipment such as scissor lifts and articulating boom lifts.

Working Conditions

Shop-floor and office environment, located on large manufacturing campus

Prolec-GE Waukesha, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law.