Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer
Job Description
The Quality Engineer leads quality planning, process control, and continuous improvement activities within a manufacturing environment. This role focuses on developing and maintaining PFMEAs and Control Plans, driving risk-based thinking, improving process capability, and ensuring robust inspection and testing practices. The Quality Engineer collaborates closely with Engineering, Production, and Quality Control teams to reduce variation, prevent defects, and support compliance with relevant quality standards and customer requirements.
Responsibilities

• Lead the development, facilitation, and maintenance of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) for key manufacturing processes.
• Create, implement, and maintain Control Plans that align with PFMEA risks and identified Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) characteristics.
• Identify CTQ characteristics and ensure appropriate process and inspection controls are implemented and sustained.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities in line with customer and program requirements.
• Drive risk-based thinking throughout quality planning and execution to proactively identify and mitigate potential issues.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, including assembly, expansion, brazing, testing, and related operations, to identify variation, risk, and opportunities for improvement.
• Establish and continuously improve in-process inspection strategies to detect and prevent defects at the source.
• Support implementation and enhancement of Quality at the Source (QAS) systems to embed quality into production processes.
• Monitor and improve process capability, including Cp and Cpk where applicable, to ensure processes consistently meet specifications.
• Lead initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and customer escapes by driving robust corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead nonconformance investigations for Nonconformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective Action Requests (CARs), and customer complaints, including RMAs and SCARs.
• Use structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams to determine root causes and develop effective solutions.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are effectively implemented, verified, and sustained over time.
• Track, analyze, and report trends in quality data to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and validate inspection methods and acceptance criteria to ensure consistent and reliable product evaluation.
• Ensure inspection and testing activities align with internal standards and customer specifications.
• Support calibration requirements and promote effective measurement systems, including Measurement System Analysis (MSA) where applicable.
• Collaborate with the Quality Control team to ensure inspection plans are practical, effective, and aligned with production needs.
• Partner with Engineering on design reviews, tolerance analysis, and process feasibility assessments to ensure manufacturability and quality.
• Work with Production to ensure standard work is followed and quality expectations are clearly communicated and understood.
• Support supplier quality and incoming inspection activities to ensure purchased materials and components meet requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality management standards and customer-specific requirements, including aerospace and welding/brazing standards such as AS9100 and AWS, as well as DFARS or similar requirements where applicable.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, evidence, and process knowledge.
• Assist in developing, updating, and maintaining quality-related procedures and work instructions to reflect best practices and current requirements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering (required; no exceptions).
• 3-7+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality role.
• Proven experience leading PFMEA development and facilitation, including cross-functional collaboration.
• Proven experience creating, implementing, and maintaining Control Plans.
• Strong background in root cause analysis and corrective actions, including use of structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone (Ishikawa).
• Hands-on experience with NCR, CAR, and CAPA systems.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading, with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) preferred.
• Experience with process flow mapping to visualize and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Experience in inspection and test planning, including defining methods and acceptance criteria.
• 1-3 years of experience using an ERP system, with Epicor preferred.
• Approximately 2 years of experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), with Power VI preferred.
• Approximately 2 years of experience in risk analysis, including PPAP and FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis).
• Knowledge of AS9100 or similar quality management standards.
• Experience working with corrective action plans in a manufacturing environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in custom fabrication, heat exchangers, HVAC, or similar industries is preferred.
• Familiarity with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) requirements.
• Exposure to AWS brazing and welding standards is beneficial.
• Experience supporting DFARS or customer-specific compliance requirements is an advantage.
• Familiarity with Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and calibration practices is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret SPC data and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality Control, and supplier teams.
• Ability to drive risk-based thinking and foster a culture of quality at the source.

Work Environment
The role is predominantly hands-on within a manufacturing setting, with approximately 80% of the time spent on the production floor working directly with the production team to improve processes and implement changes. The remaining 20% of the time is spent at a desk reviewing data, including SPC outputs, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. The position involves regular interaction with production equipment, inspection tools, and ERP and SPC software systems, including Epicor and Power VI where used. The environment emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and close engagement with cross-functional teams to ensure processes are stable, capable, and aligned with quality requirements.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Mesa, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $120000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
You will be eligible for an annual performance bonus in 2026 and thereafter, which may be given in the company's discretion if the company meets the budgeted pre-tax financial goals. Any bonus for this year will be prorated based on your start date. • You will be eligible to participate in the company's complete benefit offering summarized in the attached 2025 Benefit Summary. Notably, you will be eligible for the 401K program (1st of month after 6 months of employment), and medical, dental, and vision plans (1st of month after 60 days of employment). • In each calendar year, you will qualify for 140 hours of PTO. Your PTO hours for this year will be prorated based on your start date. These PTO hours do not roll over and are not accrued or paid out upon departure from the company. 11 Paid Holidays
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Mesa,AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.


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