Quality Engineer

NESTER HOSIERY — MOUNT AIRY, NC

Hosiery Manufacturing · Mid-level · 3–5 Years · Full-Time · On-site, Mount Airy, NC

3–5 yrs

Experience

Full-Time

Employment Type

Mount Airy, NC

Location

On-site

Work Setting

REPORTS TO

VP of Manufacturing

WORKS CLOSELY WITH

CI Manager

COORDINATES WITH

Quality Manager (Knitting & Construction)

CUSTOMER-FACING ROLE

This position serves as the primary quality contact for Nester Hosiery’s customers and their quality departments — building relationships, understanding each customer’s specific quality requirements, and ensuring those standards are consistently met across our post-knit operations.

Nester Hosiery is a family-owned American manufacturer based in Mount Airy, NC, crafting premium performance and lifestyle socks under brands including Farm to Feet and Fox River. With a deep commitment to domestic manufacturing, sustainability, and craftsmanship, Nester Hosiery produces products from fiber to finished sock — right here in the U.S. We are proud to be part of the Mount Airy community and the broader tradition of American textile manufacturing.

We are seeking a hands-on, people-oriented Quality Engineer to join our manufacturing team in Mount Airy. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing, this is a customer-facing role — you will be the primary quality point of contact for our customers and their quality departments, building strong relationships and ensuring that each customer’s unique quality requirements are understood, communicated internally, and consistently met. On the production side, this role focuses on quality processes post-knitting, spanning finishing, boarding, pairing, inspection, and packaging. You’ll work closely with our Continuous Improvement Manager on process initiatives and coordinate with our Quality Manager, who leads quality in the knitting and sock construction phase, to ensure seamless quality from production through to the customer.

–    Serve as the primary quality contact for customers and their quality departments — building relationships, understanding their specific requirements, and acting as their advocate internally.

–    Translate customer quality standards and expectations into internal inspection criteria, control plans, and standard operating procedures for post-knit operations.

–    Manage customer quality communications, including responding to quality inquiries, coordinating corrective actions on customer complaints, and providing timely updates on resolution status.

–    Own quality systems and inspection processes for post-knitting operations, including finishing, boarding, pairing, and packaging.

–    Coordinate with the Quality Manager on defect identification, disposition decisions, and quality handoffs between knitting and downstream operations.

–    Partner with the Continuous Improvement Manager to identify and execute quality-driven process improvement projects across post-knit operations.

–    Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes, particularly for customer-facing quality issues.

–    Monitor and analyze quality metrics; drive reductions in defects, seconds, and customer returns.

–    Conduct internal audits and support customer or third-party quality audits and visits.

–    Maintain quality documentation and ensure records meet customer and regulatory requirements.

–    Train and mentor production staff on quality standards, inspection techniques, and customer-specific requirements.

–    Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Textile Science, Industrial Technology, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.

–    3–5 years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment; textile, apparel, or consumer goods experience a plus.

–    Prior experience in a customer-facing quality role — managing customer relationships, responding to complaints, or working directly with customer quality teams strongly preferred.

–    Working knowledge of quality management systems (ISO 9001 or equivalent).

–    Proficiency with quality tools: SPC, FMEA, control plans, and inspection methodologies.

–    Experience with non-conformance management and CAPA processes.

–    Strong interpersonal and communication skills — comfortable engaging with customers at all levels, from quality technicians to quality directors.

–    Demonstrated ability to collaborate across quality and CI functions in a team environment.

–    Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP or quality management software a plus.

–    ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or similar certification preferred, not required.

Customer quality management · CAPA · FMEA · SPC · 8D / 5 Why · Root cause analysis · Internal auditing · Complaint resolution · Lean / CI · Textile manufacturing · ISO 9001 · Process improvement

–    Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

–    Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

–    401(k) with company match.

–    Paid time off and paid holidays.

–    Professional development support, including ASQ certification reimbursement.

–    Employee product discount.

Mount Airy is a welcoming small city in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its strong community, affordable cost of living, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Situated near the Virginia border, Mount Airy offers a high quality of life with the charm of a close-knit town — and the proximity of Winston-Salem and Greensboro for additional amenities. It’s an ideal place to put down roots.

Nester Hosiery is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, in accordance with applicable North Carolina and federal law.