Manufacturing Quality Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing (NPI) Quality Engineer

Job Description

This role is a hybrid quality and engineering position focused on establishing robust quality structures for new parts in a highly regulated manufacturing environment. Working a 4x10 schedule, you will design and implement front-end quality systems that prevent scrap, catch defects early, and enable effective in-process inspections. This is a methodical, process-focused role where you will build compliance frameworks, perform risk analyses, and create control plans that support successful new product introductions.

This is the engineer who asks:

"What can go wrong with this new part, how will we catch it, what inspection should be added, what paperwork is required, and how do we make sure we aren't scrapping parts six months from now?"

They are essentially building the quality roadmap for a new product before production begins.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive compliance matrices for every new part to ensure alignment with all applicable quality standards and customer requirements.

• Perform Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEA) on incoming and new parts to identify potential failure points and risks within manufacturing processes.

• Create and implement detailed control plans from initial startup through production to directly mitigate failure modes identified during PFMEA.

• Establish structured in-process inspection frameworks so builders and inspectors can perform effective checks during production.

• Organize and maintain clear, accurate documentation for new product introductions, including quality plans, PFMEAs, control plans, and approval records.

• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities for new product launches to ensure quality is built into the process from the outset.

• Coordinate and execute Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities for new parts, ensuring all documentation and validation requirements are met.

• Support and lead First Article Inspections for new products to verify conformance to specifications and validate manufacturing processes.

• Interpret blueprints and technical drawings using GD&T principles to define critical characteristics and inspection criteria.

• Apply statistical process control (SPC) and root cause analysis methodologies to monitor process performance and resolve quality issues.

• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to configure processes and inspection steps accurately before ramp-up.

• Continuously refine and improve upfront quality systems to reduce scrap, prevent defects, and support stable production during new product introduction.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of Quality Engineering or NPI Engineering experience within aerospace, defense, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

• Proven background in New Product Introduction (NPI) within a manufacturing setting.

• Expertise in key quality tools including PPAP (Production Part Approval Process), PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses), and control plans.

• Demonstrated experience leading APQP activities, PFMEAs, control plans, PPAPs, and First Article Inspections for new product launches.

• Strong understanding of GD&T and blueprint interpretation to define and validate critical product characteristics.

• Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC) and root cause analysis methodologies.

• Experience establishing robust quality systems upfront to prevent defects and reduce scrap during production ramp-up.

• High attention to detail and a methodical, process-oriented approach to engineering and quality work.

• Ability to analyze complex manufacturing processes and configure documentation, inspections, and controls accurately ahead of production.

• Solid mechanical and engineering foundation supporting quality assurance and production process understanding.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in new product development and new product introduction within regulated industries.

• background in quality engineering and quality assurance in manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with quality standards relevant to aerospace, defense, medical device, or similar sectors.

• Experience with design, project engineering, and product engineering support activities.

• Capability to conduct detailed root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Ability to build and refine compliance matrices for new parts and processes.

• Strong organizational skills for managing documentation and maintaining structured quality frameworks.

• Comfort working cross-functionally with engineering, production, and inspection teams to align processes and quality requirements.

Work Environment

The role operates on a 4x10 schedule, providing extended workdays with an additional day off each week. You will split your time between the shop floor and a desk-based environment, with the focus primarily on process configuration, documentation, and quality system design rather than hands-on, reactive work on the line. The culture emphasizes building robust processes upfront, collaborating across functions, and driving meaningful improvements in quality and scrap reduction.

We are targeting qualified talent from the local region - if you are not local, please indicate your plan to relocate to the Portland area.

#LI-MH3

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Newberg, OR.

Pay and Benefits

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

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.

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 Newberg,OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 21, 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.