Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on developing and executing both short- and long-term quality strategies to ensure consistently high standards across electronic assembly products in an electro-mechanical manufacturing environment. The Quality Engineer implements and maintains quality systems, manages corrective and preventive actions, leads internal and external audits, and drives continuous improvement across internal operations and the supplier base. The position also plays a key role in supporting new product introductions, developing and delivering training, and using data-driven metrics to monitor performance and enhance overall product and process quality.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement short-term quality plans and support the execution of long-term quality strategies to strengthen overall quality performance.

• Create and introduce new product release systems and disciplines to ensure that new and existing products meet established quality expectations.

• Establish quality metrics and data collection systems, implement them across relevant processes, and provide monthly reports on quality performance and trends.

• Communicate and coordinate with the parent organization on new product development, introduction strategies, and ongoing technical and quality issues for both new and existing products.

• Manage internal and external corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), ensuring timely root cause analysis, effective implementation, and verification of corrective measures.

• Create, implement, and continuously improve quality processes and procedures to support robust quality control and assurance practices.

• Schedule and lead ISO 9001 and customer audits, oversee and train the internal auditor base, and coordinate with auditing agencies and customers to resolve open issues.

• Support supplier audit teams, evaluate and authorize new suppliers, and conduct regular supplier quality meetings to assess and improve overall supplier performance.

• Support customer audits of the manufacturing facilities by leading cross-functional teams to prepare and present required documentation and evidence.

• Identify and implement opportunities for continual improvement, including cost reduction, process improvements, design changes, component substitutions, supplier changes, and labor savings.

• Provide cost analysis for improvement initiatives, including return on investment, breakeven analysis, and annualized cost impact to support data-driven decision-making.

• Train and support staff on quality systems, procedures, and best practices, and provide follow-up to ensure proper adoption and sustained performance.

• Use metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices and to validate process capability and product conformity.

• Develop and administer management information systems for quality, and perform audits of quality systems to identify deficiencies and implement corrective actions.

• Plan and drive long-term quality improvements to establish and maintain a robust, high-quality structure across products and processes.

• Collaborate closely with manufacturing and engineering teams on the production floor to troubleshoot and resolve quality issues, spending approximately 25-30% of time on the shop floor.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (required for this role).

• 3-5 years of quality control experience related to electronic assemblies, or a Master's degree in Engineering with a minimum of 1 year of quality control experience related to electronic assemblies.

• Proven ability to develop, implement, and operate quality control systems, including associated training programs.

• Experience using metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices.

• Familiarity with quality cost concepts and techniques and their application in a manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and administer management information systems for quality and to audit quality systems to identify and correct deficiencies.

• Capability to plan and drive long-term quality improvements to establish a strong quality structure.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a structured approach to root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Experience with CAPA processes, including investigation, root cause determination, implementation, and verification.

• Hands-on experience with internal and external audits, including ISO 9001 audits.

• Knowledge of PPAP and related supplier quality and product approval processes.

• Strong training and follow-up skills related to developing staff and reinforcing quality practices.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and with suppliers and customers.

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment where production is performed onsite, with comfort being on the shop floor to troubleshoot quality issues.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Background in electro-mechanical assembly is highly preferred; candidates with general manufacturing experience will also be considered.

• Experience in quality engineering, quality control, quality assurance, and supplier quality management.

• Exposure to internal and external audit coordination and follow-up with auditing bodies and customers.

• Experience supporting new product introductions, including establishing release systems and quality disciplines for new products.

• Familiarity with establishing and tracking quality metrics and using data-driven approaches to monitor performance and drive improvements.

• Ability to support supplier evaluations, authorizations, and ongoing supplier performance reviews.

• Comfort working within a contract-to-hire arrangement, with an initial term of approximately nine months.

Work Environment

The role is based in an electro-mechanical assembly environment within a manufacturing facility. The Quality Engineer works closely with one other Quality Engineer and a team of approximately three to five Manufacturing and Industrial Engineers, fostering a collaborative and cross-functional setting. Manufacturing is performed onsite, and the position requires a regular presence on the production floor-approximately 25-30% of the time-to troubleshoot and resolve quality issues directly at the source. The environment involves working around electronic and electro-mechanical assemblies, quality inspection and test equipment, and standard office and manufacturing systems used for quality data collection, reporting, and analysis. The position is structured as a nine-month contract-to-hire opportunity, offering exposure to a stable, technology-focused organization that emphasizes continuous improvement, robust quality systems, and close coordination with global engineering and quality teams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Buffalo Grove, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Buffalo Grove,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 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 click.appcast.io 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.