Process Quality Engineer

Job Title: Process Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Process Quality Engineer enhances customer satisfaction by managing customer complaints, improving defect detection, and supporting product and process corrections. This role supervises the development, implementation, and verification of products and processes to meet internal, customer, and regulatory quality requirements. The engineer works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to drive continuous improvement, ensure quality objectives are met, and maintain product and process conformity to applicable standards while actively contributing as part of an integrated product line team.

Responsibilities

• Participate in yield improvement initiatives by analyzing and enhancing manufacturing processes for existing products.
• Conduct studies to stabilize, validate, and improve product and process capabilities, ensuring robust and repeatable performance.
• Perform process capability studies to identify issues, develop solutions, recommend improvements, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyze defective products and processes to determine root causes of defects and provide input on effective corrective and preventive actions to avoid recurrence.
• Implement solutions that improve yield and overall product quality.
• Perform internal and external audits on products and processes to ensure compliance with customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Review and approve work instructions, inspection documents, change notifications, and quality alerts to maintain accurate and up-to-date quality documentation.
• Interact with manufacturing teams, suppliers, and customers to drive improvement activities and ensure products and processes meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Lead quality and customer complaint investigations using 8D methodology, driving root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.
• Manage corrective action handling and quality data reporting to support continuous improvement and transparency in quality performance.
• Support Engineering in the qualification of new products, processes, and equipment through data collection and statistical analysis.
• Support implementation and maintenance of IATF quality systems standards within the organization.
• Apply statistical tools and methodologies such as SPC, DOE, ANOVA, f-test, t-test, and GR&R to analyze process performance and measurement systems.
• Provide product characteristic studies and generate Cp/Cpk reports on key product characteristics and critical control parameters.
• Identify process shortcomings through data analysis and provide clear, data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of quality systems, including participation in audits and continuous improvement activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional product line teams to ensure quality requirements are integrated into design, manufacturing, and operational processes.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• At least 1 year of experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and IATF quality systems standards.
• Working knowledge of statistical software such as Minitab, Infinity, JMP, or equivalent systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Project.
• Working knowledge of total quality tools such as brainstorming, flowcharting, Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram analysis, and affinity diagrams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), ANOVA, f-test and t-test analyses, and gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R).
• Strong understanding of process capability studies and their application to manufacturing processes.
• Ability to identify process shortcomings through data analysis and provide clear recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to conduct product characteristic studies and generate Cp/Cpk reports on key product characteristics and critical control parameters.
• Experience with PPAP (Production Part Approval Process).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Certified Quality Engineer credential is preferred.
• Six Sigma training and experience are highly desirable.
• Knowledge of FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) and control plan generation.
• Experience with training and coaching others in quality tools and methodologies.
• Background in quality system auditing in frameworks such as ISO, QS, or Malcolm Baldridge.
• Experience in automotive or similar high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles.
• Exposure to APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and related quality planning tools.
• Ability to work effectively within a structured quality team that includes quality engineers, technicians, and support staff.

Work Environment

This role is part of a dedicated Quality team within an Elastomeric Material Solutions business unit that provides high-performance engineered materials, including polyurethane foams, performance silicones, custom silicones, commercial silicones, PTFE and UHMW films and tapes, thermal management materials, and extreme impact mitigation materials. These materials are used in applications where high reliability and mission-critical performance are essential. The Process Quality Engineer works in a manufacturing and laboratory environment, collaborating closely with a Quality Manager, Quality Supervisor, Quality Engineers, a Quality Engineering Assistant, and Quality Technicians. The position involves regular interaction with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, suppliers, and customers, using statistical software, Microsoft Office tools, and established quality systems standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF. The work setting emphasizes teamwork, continuous improvement, and adherence to formal quality processes and documentation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Glendale Heights, IL.

Pay and Benefits

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

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 Glendale Heights,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.