Project Quality Engineer

Pay Rate: Up to $75000-$95,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

Type: Direct Hire

Reports To:

QA Manager

Dept:
Quality Assurance

Job Description

The Project Quality Engineer supports the Quality Assurance Manager in overseeing the Quality Assurance program for assigned rail car manufacturing projects. This role ensures compliance with contract requirements, technical specifications, and industry standards across production, acceptance, warranty, and modification phases.

Responsibilities include creating Master Test and Inspection Plans, First Article Inspection schedules, Project Quality Plans, and audit procedures. The Project Quality Engineer coordinates closely with customers, vendors, and internal Kawasaki divisions to align project requirements, resolve quality issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

This position also monitors documentation, leads corrective action activities, conducts contract reviews, and provides weekly and monthly quality reports. The engineer will serve as a primary Quality liaison between internal teams, subcontractors, and customer Resident Inspectors, ensuring timely communication, follow‑up, and delivery of all quality‑related commitments.

Candidate Fit Summary

This candidate is an excellent fit for organizations in the rail, aerospace, transportation, and heavy manufacturing sectors where strict compliance, technical quality standards, and contractual requirements are essential.

They bring strong experience supporting complex production programs, managing supplier and customer interfaces, and developing detailed quality documentation. Skilled in FAI, FMEA, audits, and ISO 9001 processes, they excel in environments requiring strict quality controls, cross‑functional coordination, and schedule accountability. Their ability to lead inspections, manage customer quality requirements, and drive corrective actions makes them a strong match for production‑focused, project‑driven engineering organizations.

• Implement and maintain QA programs for assigned contracts.
• Develop Master Test and Inspection Plans, Project Quality Plans, FAI schedules, and audit procedures.
• Attend project meetings and provide detailed quality status updates and reports.
• Analyze quality issues, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams across production and warranty phases.
• Manage project quality schedules and interface with Resident Inspectors.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, contract terms, and Kawasaki quality standards.
• Review and approve subcontractor/supplier documentation (PSI, FAI, audits, drawings, field reports).
• Monitor and report deviations, implement process improvements, and update procedures.
• Support Configuration Management planning, execution, and product delivery.
• Assist with subcontractor activity quality review and documentation.
• Travel domestically/internationally up to 30% to support project quality functions.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in rail, aerospace, transportation, or heavy manufacturing.
• Knowledge of FAI, FMEA, ISO 9001, and source inspection processes.
• Strong communication, analytical, reporting, and computer skills.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage workloads across multiple concurrent projects.
• Capable of working in both office and field/manufacturing environments.
• PPE required in production areas; must adhere to all safety protocols.

Candidate Fit

This candidate is a strong fit for Project Quality Engineering roles in complex manufacturing environments like rail, aerospace, automotive, and heavy industrial production. They have demonstrated capability in quality planning, regulatory compliance, supplier oversight, and customer interface management.

With experience leading FAIs, audits, and corrective actions while supporting production schedules, they excel in driving continuous improvement, ensuring contract compliance, and maintaining high standards of safety, product quality, and documentation integrity. Their structured approach, technical acumen, and ability to manage…