Quality & CI Engineer

Job Summary

The Quality & Continuous Improvement Engineer provides strategic and tactical mentorship for all quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives within the organization. This role ensures compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and internal policies while driving efficiency, cost reduction, and culture change through Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies. The Engineer is a key business partner to Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain, ensuring that quality and productivity goals are achieved to support company growth and profitability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Quality Engineer

• Develop, implement, and maintain the company’s Quality Management Systemto meet ISO, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee all quality audits (internal, external, customer, regulatory), corrective actions, and management reviews.
• Establish and track critical quality metrics such as scrap/rework, customer returns, ppm, first-pass yield, and warranty claims.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action using structured problem-solving tools.
• Manage supplier quality, including qualification, scorecards, audits, and incoming inspection programs.
• Provide technical guidance for inspection methods, testing protocols, gaging/measurement systems, and statistical process control (SPC).

Continuous Improvement (CI)

• Lead the site’s continuous improvement strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and waste elimination initiatives across all departments.
• Deploy Lean tools such as 5S, standard work, visual management, SMED, TPM, and process mapping.
• Drive measurable improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness, lead time, on-time delivery, and cost per unit.
• Identify and lead strategic cost-reduction projects tied to business objectives.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Assists with coaching and developing the Quality/CI team to ensure strong performance, engagement, and succession planning.
• May serve as the primary liaison for customer quality concerns, ensuring timely response and resolution.
• Partners with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure design, process, and supplier quality are proactively managed.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Communicate effectively with senior leadership through regular reports and presentations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES – No

QUALIFICATIONS and/or SKILLS

Competencies

• Strategic Planning: Ability to set direction and align resources to achieve business goals.
• Analytical Thinking: Skilled in data analysis, metrics, and fact-based decision-making.
• Change Leadership: Able to influence, engage, and sustain change in a manufacturing environment.
• Customer Focus: Strong orientation to understanding and exceeding customer expectations.
• Hands-On Problem Solver: Willing to work on the shop floor and partner directly with operators and technicians.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years in quality, continuous improvement, or operations roles in a manufacturing environment.
• Certifications: Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Lean Practitioner/Leader, ASQ CQE or CQM.

Preferred: CQE/CQM with 3 years of leadership experience managing to a quality standard such as: ISO9001, AS9100, IATF16949, or ISO13485

• Strong knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (SPC, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, APQP).
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and driving measurable results.
• Proficient with ERP/MES systems, quality software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend instruction, blueprints, correspondence and memos. Able to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) in order to effectively present information one-on-one and in small group situations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Requires advanced mathematical skills which require analytical, statistical and math related to blueprint reading and/or geometrical tolerancing calculations.

REASONING ABILITY

Requires the use of disciplined problem-solving methods

Join us as a Quality & CI Engineer to be at the forefront of manufacturing excellence! Your dedication will help shape our commitment to delivering top-tier products while fostering a culture rooted in continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Military leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Continuous improvement: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Location:

• Hampton, IA 50441 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Hampton, IA 50441 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000