Senior Quality Engineer

CareerNerds, LLC; Spring Grove (IL); Presencial; USD 90.000 - 135.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

CareerNerds, LLC in Illinois is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer – Manufacturing to strengthen the quality management system, drive continuous improvement, and lead structured problem solving and corrective actions on a metals manufacturing floor.

The role collaborates with operations, engineering, suppliers, and customers to improve quality performance, perform internal and supplier audits, and ensure compliance with customer and industry standards.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Metallurgy or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum five years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with QMS, internal auditing, supplier quality, and CAPA management.
• Significant experience leading structured problem-solving using 8D and root cause analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of FMEA and Control Plans, Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.

Responsabilidades

• Support the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the QMS.
• Lead internal and supplier quality audits, identify nonconformances and ensure corrective action closure.
• Serve as Lead Auditor and provide training to internal auditors.
• Facilitate CARs with verification, effectiveness measurement, and sustainability audits.
• Lead cross-functional 8D and root cause analysis initiatives.
• Support supplier quality programs, including supplier audits and disposition of nonconforming materials.
• Interface with customers and third-party auditors regarding quality requirements.
• Interpret engineering drawings and technical requirements for manufacturing and inspection staff.
• Coordinate and support customer audits, external audits, and customer inspections.
• Develop and maintain quality procedures and customer-specific deviations.
• Support dimensional inspection and metrology programs (CMM, laser measurement, Romer).
• Improve measurement techniques and equipment utilization with inspection teams.
• Provide oversight of calibration programs and measurement system validation.
• Develop quality performance metrics to identify trends and improve processes.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and process control practices to strengthen controls.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, purchasing, and supply chain to resolve quality concerns.
• Promote safety, quality accountability, and continuous improvement culture.

Conocimientos

Quality management systems

Internal auditing

Root cause analysis

8D problem solving

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma Black Belt

CMM / metrology

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Metallurgy

Herramientas

CMM software

3D inspection software

Metrology equipment

Descripción del empleo

Senior Quality Engineer – Manufacturing

Quality Systems | Corrective Action | Supplier Quality | Internal Auditing

We are seeking an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to support and strengthen quality management systems within a metals manufacturing environment. This position plays a key role in driving continuous improvement, leading structured problem-solving initiatives, managing corrective actions, and ensuring compliance with customer and industry quality standards.

The ideal candidate brings a strong technical manufacturing background, extensive experience with quality systems and auditing, and the ability to work collaboratively with operations, engineering, suppliers, and customers to improve quality performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS).

• Lead and participate in internal and supplier quality audits, including identifying nonconformances, documenting findings, communicating results, and ensuring corrective action closure.

• Serve as a Lead Auditor and provide training, mentoring, and guidance to internal auditors.

• Facilitate Corrective Action Requests (CARs), including verification, effectiveness measurement, and sustainability audits to prevent recurring quality issues.

• Lead cross-functional structured problem-solving initiatives utilizing 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.

• Support supplier quality programs, including supplier audits, inspection plans, nonconformance evaluations, and disposition of nonconforming materials.

• Interface directly with customers and third-party auditors regarding quality requirements, specifications, manufacturing capabilities, product concerns, and corrective actions.

• Interpret customer specifications, engineering drawings, and technical requirements, providing guidance and training to manufacturing and inspection personnel.

• Coordinate and support customer audits, external quality system audits, and customer inspection activities.

• Develop and maintain quality procedures, documentation, and customer-specific deviations when required.

• Support dimensional inspection and metrology programs, including CMM, laser measurement, Romer technology, and associated 3D inspection software.

• Partner with inspection personnel to improve measurement techniques, equipment utilization, and inspection accuracy.

• Provide oversight and continuous improvement of calibration programs, measurement system validation, equipment certifications, and calibration records.

• Develop, monitor, and communicate quality performance metrics to identify trends, reduce defects, and improve manufacturing processes.

• Apply FMEA, Control Plans, Six Sigma, and Lean methodologies to strengthen process controls, eliminate waste, and drive measurable improvements.

• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, and supply chain teams to resolve quality concerns and support operational excellence.

• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, or equivalent education and experience.

• Minimum five years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong experience with Quality Management Systems, internal auditing, supplier quality, and corrective action management.

• Significant experience leading structured problem-solving initiatives utilizing 8D and root cause analysis.

• Extensive knowledge of process control methodologies, particularly FMEA and Control Plans.

• Six Sigma Black Belt with experience completing multiple improvement projects.

• Qualified Lead Auditor with experience in ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 quality management systems.

• Experience developing quality procedures, conducting audits, and training manufacturing personnel.

• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Previous experience in metals manufacturing and/or knowledge of metallurgy.

• Experience with dimensional inspection, metrology systems, calibration programs, and CMM technology.

• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.

• American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification preferred.

• Ability and willingness to work in an active manufacturing environment, including exposure to seasonal temperature extremes.

Work Environment

This position combines office-based quality systems responsibilities with hands‑on involvement in manufacturing operations. The successful candidate must be comfortable working directly with production, engineering, inspection, and quality teams on the manufacturing floor.