Quality Engineer

Job Title:

Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Quality Engineer supports day-to-day production by working directly on the factory floor to identify, contain, and resolve quality issues in real time. This role leads root cause analysis and corrective actions, partners closely with production, engineering, and suppliers, and uses tools such as Lean and Six Sigma to improve product and process quality. The position also contributes to creating and updating standard operating procedures and work instructions, with a primary focus on hands-on problem solving and continuous improvement in a plant environment.

Responsibilities

+ Work on the factory floor alongside production teams to identify, contain, and resolve quality issues in real time.

+ Lead containment activities when quality problems arise, ensuring defective products are controlled and customer impact is minimized.

+ Conduct thorough root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 8D and FMEA to determine underlying causes of nonconformances.

+ Develop, implement, and verify effective corrective and preventive action plans to address quality issues and prevent recurrence.

+ Analyze process and product data to identify trends, drive process improvements, and enhance overall quality and efficiency.

+ Collaborate closely with production, engineering, supplier quality, and other cross-functional teams to align on quality standards and improvement initiatives.

+ Support and perform quality inspections using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measurement tools to verify product conformance.

+ Participate in and support ISO 9001 quality system activities, including internal audits and compliance initiatives.

+ Contribute to the development, review, and updating of standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and other quality documentation.

+ Engage with external suppliers to address quality issues, support supplier development, and ensure incoming materials meet specifications.

+ Support quality audits and assessments of internal processes and supplier performance within ISO 9001 and related quality system frameworks.

+ Drive continuous improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement tools to optimize manufacturing processes.

+ Partner with operations, design, marketing, customer care, and end users to understand quality requirements and translate them into robust processes.

+ Provide hands-on guidance and support to production staff on quality standards, inspection techniques, and problem-solving methods.

Essential Skills

+ Hands-on manufacturing quality experience with a strong floor presence working directly with production teams.

+ Proven expertise in root cause analysis and corrective action, including leading containment activities.

+ Practical experience using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D and FMEA.

+ Demonstrated ability to apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve processes and reduce defects.

+ Broad Quality Engineering experience spanning QA, QC, supplier quality, and process improvement.

+ Experience in quality inspection using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measurement tools.

+ Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems and familiarity with ISO 9001 auditing.

+ Ability to independently diagnose issues, analyze data, and drive process improvements in a manufacturing environment.

+

Experience with supplier quality, including interaction with external suppliers and manufacturing systems.

+ Bachelor's degree required.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience working within ISO 9001, TS, or AS 9100 quality system environments.

+ Exposed to in auditing quality systems and supporting internal and external audit activities.

+ Exposure to supplier development and collaboration with operations, design, marketing, customer care, and end users.

+ Strong communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and shop floor personnel.

+ Ability to write and update SOPs, work instructions, and other quality documentation.

+ Comfort working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with a focus on continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite and split between the shop floor and office settings. The Quality Engineer spends significant time on the factory floor working directly with production teams and using tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges to support hands-on inspection and troubleshooting. Typical working hours are approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility. The environment emphasizes collaboration, problem solving, innovation, and continuous improvement, with a culture that values diligent, practical thinkers who communicate clearly and drive quality excellence in manufacturing operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Farmington, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification…