Quality Engineer

This Quality Engineer role focuses on driving product and process quality in a fast-paced, regulated manufacturing environment. You will analyze production data, lead root cause investigations, implement corrective and preventive actions, and support continuous improvement initiatives. The position offers autonomy to make program-level decisions, exposure to aerospace and defense programs, and clear opportunities for professional growth within the quality organization.

Responsibilities

• Analyze production data to identify quality issues, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methods and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Support and champion continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Review and interpret customer and internal technical requirements to ensure product and process compliance.
• Prepare and present quality findings, metrics, and recommendations in daily meetings starting around 7:15 AM.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, technicians, buyers, planners, program managers, and quality inspectors.
• Support composite and advanced materials quality challenges within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Manage shifting priorities and a high workload across multiple parts, issues, and programs while maintaining quality standards.
• Provide shop floor and manufacturing support by addressing real-time quality issues and coaching teams on quality best practices.
• Perform and support documentation and compliance activities, including APQP, PPAP, and audit-related tasks.
• Contribute to customer-facing quality activities, including communicating quality status, investigation results, and corrective actions.
• Exercise autonomy to make program-level quality decisions within established guidelines.
• Provide informal leadership and, where appropriate, delegate work to technicians to support quality objectives.

• 3–5 years of Quality Engineering experience, or Manufacturing Engineering experience with significant Quality Engineering overlap.
• Demonstrated experience in a regulated manufacturing environment such as medical device, automotive, or aerospace/defense.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and visualization.
• Hands-on, applied Lean Six Sigma experience with a Green or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Quality engineering expertise in root cause analysis (RCA), statistical process control (SPC), and continuous improvement.
• Experience with documentation and compliance activities such as APQP, PPAP, and audits.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of issues in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization, including leadership, customers, technicians, and inspectors.
• Professional composure under pressure and the confidence to make and communicate quality decisions.
• Clear, concise, and professional verbal and written communication skills.

• Composite or advanced materials experience in a manufacturing or quality engineering context.
• Experience working with major aerospace and defense prime contractors.
• Internal and external audit experience within a regulated industry.
• Exposure to defense and aerospace programs and their quality requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and delegate tasks to technicians.
• Interest in progressing within the quality engineering career path (for example, from QE2 to QE3).

This role operates in a highly fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment within a regulated industry, with significant exposure to aerospace and defense programs and composite or advanced materials. The typical work schedule follows a 9/80 structure, providing every other Friday off. You will work closely with a collaborative team that includes quality inspectors, a quality manager, technicians, buyers, planners, and program managers, and you will participate in daily meetings starting around 7:15 AM. The culture emphasizes composure, confidence, clear communication, and professionalism, with strong cross-functional interaction and regular engagement with leadership and customers. The environment supports autonomy in making program-level quality decisions, offers opportunities for growth and leadership, and values an engaging, supportive approach to teamwork.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $110000.00/yr.

Salary range: $90K–$105K (lower experience) VS $105K–$120K (higher experience) - 5% annual bonus - 9/80 work schedule - Career growth opportunities (to lead and delegate work to technicians/inspectors, level up from Level 2 to 3, etc.)

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 17, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.

Salary : $90,000 - $105,000