Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Systems Engineer / Quality EngineerJob Description

The Quality Systems Engineer / Quality Engineer maintains and continuously improves the automotive Quality Management System to ensure compliance with IATF standards, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulations. This role leads audits, drives corrective and preventive actions, supports new product launches, and partners closely with manufacturing and engineering teams to enhance process capability, product quality, and overall plant performance. It is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional who wants to own and improve an IATF-based quality system while building a clear path toward future quality leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, improve, and ensure compliance of the Quality Management System (QMS) with IATF requirements and customer-specific standards.
• Lead, coordinate, and perform internal, process, product, and layered process audits, and effectively manage audit findings and follow-up actions.
• Support customer, regulatory, and third-party certification audits, including preparation, on-site support, and post-audit activities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address nonconformities and prevent recurrence.
• Investigate quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, DMAIC, and Fishbone analysis.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities for new product launches, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure robust quality plans.
• Prepare, review, and submit Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation to obtain customer approval for production parts.
• Facilitate the development, review, and ongoing maintenance of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEA) to identify risks and implement preventive controls.
• Conduct Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) studies, including gauge evaluations and related studies, to validate measurement system capability and reliability.
• Monitor and analyze quality metrics, Statistical Process Control (SPC) data, process capability, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends and drive improvement.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with customer-specific requirements, automotive quality standards, and internal procedures.
• Train employees on quality procedures, standards, tools, and best practices to strengthen the overall quality culture.
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers to drive continuous improvement and resolve quality issues.
• Lead or support continuous improvement and Six Sigma projects that reduce defects, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable quality improvements.
• Support the development and maintenance of control plans to ensure consistent and controlled manufacturing processes.
• Utilize ERP and MES quality system capabilities to support quality planning, data collection, and reporting where applicable.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree and 2+ years of relevant quality experience, or Associates degree and 4+ years of related quality experience.
• Hands-on experience supporting or managing an IATF-certified Quality Management System in an automotive or closely related environment.
• Strong knowledge of automotive quality tools and methodologies, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA, and SPC.
• Proven experience planning, conducting, and leading internal, process, product, and system audits, and managing audit findings through closure.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions using methods such as 8D and 5-Why.
• Experience with Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), including gauge studies and calibration-related controls.
• Practical understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, standards, and customer-specific requirements.
• Ability to analyze quality data, monitor process capability, and interpret quality metrics and KPIs for decision-making.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and applying Six Sigma or similar methodologies to reduce variation and improve quality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word for data analysis, reporting, and documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Effective organizational and leadership abilities to coordinate audits, projects, and quality system initiatives.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Automotive manufacturing experience, particularly in high-volume production environments.
• IATF or ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience in Supplier Quality management, including supplier development and performance monitoring.
• Experience in Customer Quality, including customer interface, complaint management, and customer-specific requirements.
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), control plan development, and advanced statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Project management experience, including leading cross-functional quality or improvement projects.
• Experience with ERP and MES quality systems for tracking, analyzing, and reporting quality data.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and influence others without direct authority.
• Strong attention to detail and a systematic, process-oriented mindset.

Work Environment

This role offers a balanced mix of technical quality engineering work, hands-on manufacturing support, and strategic ownership of the quality management system. You will split your time between the plant floor and an office environment, engaging directly with production teams, engineering, leadership, suppliers, and customers. The position operates within an automotive manufacturing setting that emphasizes compliance, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. You will regularly use tools such as ERP and MES systems, Microsoft Office applications, and standard quality engineering instruments and software. The work environment supports collaboration, visibility, and meaningful impact on plant performance, with clear opportunities to grow into future quality leadership roles.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Versailles, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $41.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Versailles, KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Versailles,KY.

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.