Quality Assurance Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Quality Assurance AssociateGrow Your Quality Career with a High-Impact Role in a Collaborative Manufacturing Environment

We are seeking a detail-oriented Quality Assurance Associate to join a growing Quality team and play a key role in strengthening quality systems, supporting customer-facing quality processes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

This newly created position offers the opportunity to take ownership of complaint investigations, internal audits, document control activities, quality metrics, and Quality Management System (QMS) processes. Working directly with an experienced Quality Manager, you'll gain broad exposure to quality operations and have a clear path toward developing into an Internal Audit Lead role.

If you're passionate about quality systems, problem solving, customer interaction, and process improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

• Lead customer complaint investigations from intake through closure.
• Collect and evaluate data to determine root causes and identify appropriate corrective actions.
• Prepare clear, professional investigation reports and customer-facing communications.
• Participate in customer discussions to review findings and support quality-related inquiries.
• Ensure investigations are completed accurately, thoroughly, and within established timelines.

• Coordinate internal audit schedules and track audit activities across the organization.
• Support and eventually lead internal audits, including planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up.
• Document audit findings and ensure completion of corrective actions.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with ISO-based quality systems and regulatory requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen quality processes and system effectiveness.

• Maintain and organize complaint files, CAPA records, nonconformance reports (NCRs), audit documentation, and quality records.
• Support corrective and preventive action activities, including tracking implementation and effectiveness.
• Assist with nonconformance investigations and follow-up activities.
• Ensure accurate documentation and record retention practices.

• Maintain controlled documents, procedures, work instructions, and quality records.
• Track and analyze quality metrics using Excel and other reporting tools.
• Generate reports that support management review, trend analysis, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Identify opportunities to improve manual workflows and streamline quality processes.

• Work closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Customer-facing teams.
• Support supplier quality activities and communications as needed.
• Provide professional, customer-focused support that reinforces the organization's commitment to quality and compliance.

• 2+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Systems, or a related quality function within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting customer complaint investigations, including documentation, analysis, and follow-up.
• Experience participating in or coordinating internal audits.
• Understanding of ISO-based quality systems and quality management principles.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to create professional investigation reports and customer correspondence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for tracking, reporting, and data analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and professional business communication.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence interacting directly with customers and internal stakeholders.

• Experience working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
• Previous Quality Control, inspection, or manufacturing quality experience.
• Experience with CAPA programs and effectiveness verification.
• Experience managing or supporting NCR processes.
• Document control experience within a regulated or ISO-compliant environment.
• Exposure to supplier quality activities and supplier corrective actions.
• Experience communicating directly with customers on quality matters.
• Interest in developing into an Internal Audit Lead role.
• Experience improving manual systems, workflows, and process documentation.

• You take ownership of quality investigations and drive them to timely completion.
• You communicate professionally with both customers and internal teams.
• You maintain well-organized records and documentation.
• You proactively identify opportunities for process improvement.
• You become a trusted contributor to the Quality Management System and a future leader in audit activities.

• High-visibility role with significant ownership and impact.
• Direct mentorship from an experienced Quality Manager.
• Opportunity to grow into an Internal Audit Lead position.
• Broad exposure to quality systems, audits, CAPA, customer quality, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative team environment where your contributions will be recognized and valued.
• Long-term growth potential within an expanding quality organization.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Marcos, CA.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in San Marcos,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.