Quality Engineer

Job Description

The position will report to the quality manager and is responsible for meeting the expectations of ITW and its customers regarding delivery and quality of all products manufactured in their assigned Business Unit. The role is also responsible for the implementation of corporate, division, and plant quality procedures in a collaborative manner across their assigned business unit or commodity lines, and ensuring that Business Unit team members are trained and adhere to the quality system procedures.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a global Fortune 300 diversified manufacturing company that delivers specialized expertise, innovative thinking, and value-added products to meet critical customer needs in a variety of industries.

The ITW Stamp Tech Fastener TM Division serves the major OEMs and Tier suppliers in the North American automotive market. The division supplies stamped metal fasteners and engineered fastener assemblies that leverage our deep-draw stamping technologies. Locations include Gallatin, TN, Lexington, KY & Naugatuck, CT. The division drives profitability by leveraging its innovative solutions and application engineering. In addition to ITW’s industry leading research and development capabilities, Stamp Tech Fasteners TM enhances our customers’ competitive advantage by maintaining advanced engineering and manufacturing facilities in North America, exchanging product, process, and benchmarking information with sister units worldwide, and continually improving processes, material, and designs to ensure every product provides value and meets customer expectations.

• Ensures that all quality related activities are carried out consistently and safely, addressing any unsafe or non-environmentally friendly practices by any employee witnessed in any area on the manufacturing floor or in the office areas.
• Owns all customer responses and activities for the assigned commodity, including accessing customer specific web portals for data collection or reporting, visiting customer locations and/or suppliers, coordinating customer returns of non-conforming product, and coordinating containment, sort, and rework activities both internal and external to minimize costs and assure effectiveness.
• Assures that customer issues and communications are timely and resolved expediently with robust corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintains and publishes specified customer and plant metrics.
• Supports and understands the ITW Product Development System (APQP‑NPD) and overall launch responsibility, delivering on‑time all assigned Quality Engineer deliverables and supporting program gate reviews. Deliverables include PFMEA, Control Plan, Production Validation Plan (PVP), Process Capability Studies, Gage/Test Equipment planning, tryout, and qualification.
• Creates work instructions and controls processes, PFMEA, control plans, gauge instructions, inspection instruction standard sheets.
• Champions problem solving and root cause analysis activities with production, suppliers, and customers to eliminate recurrence of non‑conformances.
• Participates on internal audit teams (TS16949, LPA, 5s).
• Drives quality continuous improvement activities/processes to reach a "Zero Defect" mentality within the automotive industry.

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in relevant manufacturing processes and the automotive industry, preferably tier 1.
• Successful experience within a Tier 1 or 2 automotive supplier manufacturing facility.
• Advanced knowledge of automotive OEM quality standards, systems, tools and processes.
• Experience supporting the APQP‑PPAP process to successful conclusion.
• Working knowledge of ISO/TS16949 requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent/relevant experience.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent is preferred.
• Metallurgist certification or equivalent experience preferred.
• Advanced computer skills using Microsoft Office, SPC, and technical drawings (GD&T).
• Strong problem‑solving skills.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.