What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Engineer position at VanSpeag Group?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Quality Engineer will own the full quality management system — from incoming materials and in-process inspection to final release and customer corrective actions. Reporting directly to plant leadership, this individual will drive continuous improvement, ensure regulatory and customer compliance, and lead a team of quality technicians and inspectors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) including audits, documentation, and certifications (IATF 16949, ISO 9001 preferred)
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for internal and customer-reported quality issues
- Manage customer portals, PPAPs, Control Plans, FMEAs, and MSA requirements
- Partner with production, engineering, and maintenance to drive defect reduction and process improvement initiatives
- Lead and coach a quality team — inspectors, technicians, and lab personnel — through hands-on leadership
- Establish and monitor KPIs: scrap rate, first-pass yield, customer PPM, internal audit findings
- Interface directly with customers and suppliers on quality concerns, audits, and qualification activities
- Support new product launches and process validation activities
- Champion a zero-defect mindset across the plant floor
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3 years of quality engineer experience in a manufacturing environment — metal finishing, plating, stamping, or related industry strongly preferred
- Proven experience in IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 quality systems
- Hands-on knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, and SPC
- Strong corrective action and problem-solving skills (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone)
- Experience leading and developing quality personnel at the floor level
- Proficient in quality data analysis, reporting, and ERP/QMS systems
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
- CQE, CQM, or similar ASQ certification a plus
WHAT SETS THIS ROLE APART
- Stable, established client with long-term contracts and customer relationships
- Direct line to plant leadership — your voice will be heard and your decisions supported
- Opportunity to build and formalize quality systems with real authority and resources
- VSG client known for promoting operational leaders from within
COMPENSATION & DETAILS
Location: Rockford, Illinois (on-site)
Employment Type: Direct Hire / Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive base salary benefits package (details shared with qualified candidates)
Travel: Minimal
VanSpeag Group LLC (VSG) is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a well-established metal finishing operation in the Rockford, Illinois market. This is a critical leadership role responsible for building and sustaining a high-performance quality culture across a fast-paced, precision-driven manufacturing environment.
Due to the confidential nature of this search, the client name will be disclosed only to qualified candidates who advance in the selection process.
Salary : $70,000 - $100,000