Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Quality Engineer supports day-to-day production by working directly on the factory floor to identify, contain, and resolve quality issues in real time. This role leads root cause analysis and corrective actions, partners closely with production, engineering, and suppliers, and uses tools such as Lean and Six Sigma to improve product and process quality. The position also contributes to creating and updating standard operating procedures and work instructions, with a primary focus on hands-on problem solving and continuous improvement in a plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Work on the factory floor alongside production teams to identify, contain, and resolve quality issues in real time.
• Lead containment activities when quality problems arise, ensuring defective products are controlled and customer impact is minimized.
• Conduct thorough root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 8D and FMEA to determine underlying causes of nonconformances.
• Develop, implement, and verify effective corrective and preventive action plans to address quality issues and prevent recurrence.
• Analyze process and product data to identify trends, drive process improvements, and enhance overall quality and efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with production, engineering, supplier quality, and other cross-functional teams to align on quality standards and improvement initiatives.
• Support and perform quality inspections using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measurement tools to verify product conformance.
• Participate in and support ISO 9001 quality system activities, including internal audits and compliance initiatives.
• Contribute to the development, review, and updating of standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and other quality documentation.
• Engage with external suppliers to address quality issues, support supplier development, and ensure incoming materials meet specifications.
• Support quality audits and assessments of internal processes and supplier performance within ISO 9001 and related quality system frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement tools to optimize manufacturing processes.
• Partner with operations, design, marketing, customer care, and end users to understand quality requirements and translate them into robust processes.
• Provide hands-on guidance and support to production staff on quality standards, inspection techniques, and problem-solving methods.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on manufacturing quality experience with a strong floor presence working directly with production teams.
• Proven expertise in root cause analysis and corrective action, including leading containment activities.
• Practical experience using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D and FMEA.
• Demonstrated ability to apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve processes and reduce defects.
• Broad Quality Engineering experience spanning QA, QC, supplier quality, and process improvement.
• Experience in quality inspection using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measurement tools.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems and familiarity with ISO 9001 auditing.
• Ability to independently diagnose issues, analyze data, and drive process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with supplier quality, including interaction with external suppliers and manufacturing systems.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working within ISO 9001, TS, or AS 9100 quality system environments.
• Exposed to in auditing quality systems and supporting internal and external audit activities.
• Exposure to supplier development and collaboration with operations, design, marketing, customer care, and end users.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and shop floor personnel.
• Ability to write and update SOPs, work instructions, and other quality documentation.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with a focus on continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite and split between the shop floor and office settings. The Quality Engineer spends significant time on the factory floor working directly with production teams and using tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges to support hands-on inspection and troubleshooting. Typical working hours are approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility. The environment emphasizes collaboration, problem solving, innovation, and continuous improvement, with a culture that values diligent, practical thinkers who communicate clearly and drive quality excellence in manufacturing operations.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Farmington, CT.

The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $55.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Farmington,CT.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 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.

Salary : $43 - $55