What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Engineer - NPI position at Gradel Professional Search?
Gradel Pro Search (GPS) is an Industrial Search and Recruiting Services firm partnering with manufacturing, aerospace & defense, engineered products, chemicals, and industrial organizations to identify and align talent with critical business objectives.
We work with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, private equity-backed organizations, and growth-oriented manufacturers, navigating hiring across complex operational and technical environments.
Our client is a growth-oriented manufacturing organization seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer - NPI to support new product introduction activities from prototype through production ramp.
This role will partner closely with engineering, operations, manufacturing, and suppliers to drive production readiness, process capability, launch execution, and quality performance across complex manufacturing programs. This position supports highly technical manufacturing operations requiring strong collaboration, production support, and hands-on quality engineering execution throughout the product lifecycle.
Responsibilities
We work with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, private equity-backed organizations, and growth-oriented manufacturers, navigating hiring across complex operational and technical environments.
Our client is a growth-oriented manufacturing organization seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer - NPI to support new product introduction activities from prototype through production ramp.
This role will partner closely with engineering, operations, manufacturing, and suppliers to drive production readiness, process capability, launch execution, and quality performance across complex manufacturing programs. This position supports highly technical manufacturing operations requiring strong collaboration, production support, and hands-on quality engineering execution throughout the product lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Support NPI activities from early builds through production ramp, coordinating cross-functional quality and manufacturing readiness activities
- Partner with engineering, operations, suppliers, and manufacturing teams to proactively resolve launch and production quality issues
- Support customer quality requirements including audits, technical discussions, documentation reviews, and compliance activities
- Develop and maintain Control Plans, PFMEA documentation, and Design for Quality (DFQ) processes
- Prepare and review PPAP documentation, AS9102 First Article Inspection reports, and validation protocols including IQ/OQ/PQ
- Support supplier readiness activities including supplier audits, PPAP compliance, and qualification processes
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions utilizing 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, and structured problem-solving methodologies
- Program and support CMM and visual inspection systems for dimensional and production inspection activities
- Develop inspection fixtures, test methods, and metrology processes supporting product validation and production quality
- Support production and engineering teams in the analysis and interpretation of inspection and quality data
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality systems, metrology, process capability, and operational efficiency
- Support internal ISO audits and external supplier audits while maintaining compliance with customer and industry quality standards
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline preferred
- 3 years of manufacturing quality engineering experience within NPI, aerospace, medical device, or highly regulated manufacturing environments
- 3 years of CMM programming experience
- Strong experience with APQP, PPAP, GD&T, PFMEA, SPC, MSA, and AS9102 First Article Inspection processes
- Experience supporting customer, supplier, and third-party audit activities
- Experience supporting production launch, process validation, and production ramp activities
- Strong understanding of technical drawings, dimensional analysis, and GD&T interpretation
- Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies including 8D and 5-Why
- Knowledge of process capability studies including Cp/Cpk analysis
- Experience working within ERP, MES, and manufacturing quality systems preferred
- ASQ, GD&T, Lean/Six Sigma, or related certifications preferred