Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

We are seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer to support New Product Development (NPD) Quality, with a strong focus on Design Quality and Manufacturing Quality throughout the product lifecycle. This role ensures quality is built into products from early design through launch and into production. This position requires a roughly 50/50 split between hands-on, on-the-floor work and data/system-based quality activities. Candidates must be comfortable physically inspecting parts and processes—not solely analyzing data.

Responsibilities

1. Support design quality activities from early development through launch.
2. Ensure manufacturability and quality requirements are embedded into product designs.
3. Lead quality deliverables for new product launches.
4. Partner with engineering to review designs, drawings, and specifications.
5. Transition products from design into manufacturing with robust quality controls.
6. Support ongoing manufacturing quality for NPD-launched products.
7. Perform BOM audits and validate build accuracy.
8. Review and verify component part documentation and STO paperwork.
9. Approve parts and releases once requirements are met.
10. Develop, update, and maintain control plans.
11. Participate in project and launch meetings, contributing quality expertise.
12. Track and support project timelines.
13. Communicate directly with suppliers and customers.
14. Support multiple project teams simultaneously.
15. Own APQP and PPAP activities for NPD programs.
16. Lead both customer-facing and supplier PPAPs.
17. Review, approve, and release parts with confidence.
18. Support 7–10 active projects within a customer account.
19. Ensure quality readiness for product launches.

Essential Skills

• Strong GD&T (ASME Y14.5) knowledge.
• Experience owning or leading DFMEA and PFMEA.
• CMM experience (operation required; advanced programming not required).
• Ability to independently approve parts and quality documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in automotive or similarly structured manufacturing environments is highly transferable due to APQP/PPAP rigor.
• Verisurf experience.
• ISO 9001 and/or TS16949 exposure.
• 3–5+ years of experience in NPD, design quality, or manufacturing quality.
• Strong balance of quality rigor, communication, and project management.
• Confident decision-maker who can own approvals and deliverables.
• Thrives in a collaborative, hands-on manufacturing environment.
• Best fit: Plastics and assemblies.
• Acceptable: Metal.

Work Environment

The role involves heavy interaction with suppliers and customers, managing supplier quality for both domestic and offshore suppliers. Communication occurs within standard business hours (7:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The work environment is highly collaborative and team-oriented, with regular onsite engagement and team activities. The company culture includes national employee appreciation week, March Madness brackets with prizes, holiday and theme days, team lunches, and birthday celebrations. The position involves working within and helping improve ISO 9001 / TS16949 quality systems, driving continuous improvement rather than system maintenance only, and ensuring compliance across design, launch, and manufacturing phases.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Elk River, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.00 - $46.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Elk River, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 10, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.