Quality Assurance Engineer I

Title: Quality Assurance Engineer
Duration: 12 months (Contract)
Location: Costa Mesa, CA(100% Onsite)
Pay Rate: $25/hr - $27/hr.w2
Schedule: 2nd Shift is 2pm to 10:30pm with potential overtime on the front end.
1st Shift is 6am to 2:30pm start time (M-F) - For Training purposes (3 to 4 week period).

Job Description

This role is more of a quality tech with functional skills who has performed audits on the line, can document as such in a report, and share this information with leaders/managers. It is a hybrid quality tech with functional skills. The position involves both floor work and office settings.

Responsibilities

Product and Process Quality Audits

• Perform in-process, final product, and outbound shipment inspections to ensure compliance with quality standards, customer specifications, and operational requirements.
• Conduct quality audits on panelboard manufacturing processes, warehouse operations, and equipment dismantling activities.
• Utilize inspection tools including calipers, pin gauges, height indicators, measuring devices, and other quality instruments to verify product conformance.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, control plans, and work instructions to validate product requirements.
• Inspect consolidated pallets, customer orders, and outbound shipments for accuracy, quality, labeling, packaging, and special customer requirements.
• Identify, document, and contain non-conforming materials or products.

Quality System Compliance

• Conduct process audits and verify compliance with established quality procedures, manufacturing standards, and operational work instructions.
• Support implementation and effectiveness reviews of quality controls, including poka-yoke devices, error-proofing measures, and process controls.
• Partner with Quality Engineers and Operations teams to improve inspection plans, audit procedures, and quality documentation.
• Assist in maintaining inspection records, audit reports, and quality documentation in accordance with company and customer requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Prepare and communicate inspection findings, audit results, and quality trends to management and operational teams.
• Collaborate with Continuous Improvement teams to identify root causes of defects and process inefficiencies.
• Recommend corrective actions, tooling improvements, and process enhancements to improve product quality and operational performance.
• Support adoption of digital quality tools and technologies to streamline inspections, reporting, and data analysis.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving first-pass yield, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Measurement and Data Analysis

• Support capability studies, measurement system analysis, and Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret quality data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Perform random audits and layered process audits to assess ongoing process performance.

Supplier and Customer Quality Support

• Perform supplier quality inspections as required.
• Verify compliance with customer-specific requirements and special orders.
• Support customer complaint investigations and corrective action activities as needed.
• Assist with internal and external audits when required.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and organized work environment in accordance with company safety requirements.
• Support cross-functional teams with quality-related projects and initiatives.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1-3 years of experience in quality inspection, quality auditing, manufacturing, warehouse operations, or a related field.
• Experience using precision measuring tools including calipers, pin gauges, height indicators, and other inspection equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, specifications, symbols, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Proficient with Client Office applications and quality management software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to document findings accurately and prepare professional audit reports.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to influence and support adherence to established quality standards and procedures.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy.
• Demonstrated leadership behaviors and a continuous improvement mindset.

Must Haves

• Hands-on Quality Auditing: Perform in-process, final-product, shipping, and process audits on the manufacturing/warehouse floor.
• Inspection & Measurement: Use calipers, pin gauges, height indicators , and other precision tools to verify product quality.
• Technical Understanding: Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Documentation & Communication: Identify nonconformances, prepare audit/inspection reports , and communicate findings to supervisors, managers, and engineers.
• Quality Improvement: Support root-cause analysis, corrective actions, Lean/Six Sigma, Gage R&R, and continuous improvement activities.