Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Quality Engineer – Plastics / Molding

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Job Type: Full-time

Reports To: Quality Manager / Plant Manager

About Us

We are a growing manufacturing company specializing in high-precision plastic and molded components for the automotive and industrial sectors. We are committed to quality, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction, and we are looking for a skilled Quality Engineer to help us maintain and elevate our standards.

Position Overview

The Quality Engineer will be responsible for ensuring that all plastic and molded components meet internal and customer quality standards. This role will involve process validation, inspection, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with injection molding, blow molding, or compression molding and a strong understanding of quality systems and statistical process control.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control procedures for plastic and molded components.
• Conduct first article inspections, in-process audits, and final inspections.
• Analyze process capability and control charts using statistical methods (SPC).
• Investigate customer complaints and internal non-conformances, performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
• Work closely with manufacturing, design, and engineering teams to optimize molding processes and part quality.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives including Lean, Six Sigma, and poka-yoke implementations.
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or other relevant quality standards.
• Generate and maintain quality documentation: inspection reports, CAPAs, FMEAs, and control plans.
• Train production personnel on quality standards, inspection methods, and defect prevention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Plastics Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2+ years of quality engineering experience in plastics manufacturing or injection molding.
• Strong understanding of plastic molding processes, tooling, and common defects.
• Proficient in quality tools and methodologies: SPC, FMEA, 8D, root cause analysis, PPAP.
• Experience with CMM, optical measurement systems, or other inspection equipment is a plus.
• Familiarity with automotive quality standards (IATF 16949) preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Hands-on experience with advanced molding technologies
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture