Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for Quality Engineers in Shelbyville, IN. These positions focus on maintaining and improving product quality systems within a manufacturing environment, with responsibilities spanning customer quality, supplier quality, process improvement, and production support. The ideal candidate will have experience with core quality tools such as APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and PPAP, along with familiarity with ISO and/or IATF quality standards and experience supporting automotive customers. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Product Quality Management System.
• Provide technical quality support to internal manufacturing teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Investigate and resolve product quality issues involving die casting, machining, finishing, and assembly processes.
• Monitor customer complaints, rejects, and quality performance metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Track customer quality data, maintain records, and upload required information through customer portals.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with automotive customers and suppliers.
• Communicate quality concerns, corrective actions, and improvement plans to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Conduct and track the progress of 8D reports, Corrective Action Reports (CARs), and Preventive Action Reports (PARs).
• Explain corrective action reports and investigation findings to customers and support the development of 8D documentation.
• Assist with quality training for manufacturing personnel and develop consistent quality methods, procedures, and practices.
• Work with internal Quality Representatives and support their technical development when assigned.
• Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) requirements.
• Track new program launches and participate in program meetings to recommend quality and engineering improvements.
• Coordinate quality activities for new dies and production programs, including sample preparation, dimensional inspections, and laboratory testing.
• Work with Product Control, Engineering, Tooling, and laboratory personnel to ensure production samples meet print specifications.
• Review dimensional inspection results and troubleshoot out-of-spec conditions with Engineering and Tooling teams.
• Coordinate testing with metrology, metallurgy, and other laboratory functions as needed.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Control Plans and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) documentation.
• Apply Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to evaluate process performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Monitor SPC data and lead or participate in meetings focused on quality and process improvement.
• Update Lessons Learned documentation based on customer complaints, internal defects, and recurring quality issues.
• Support internal and external quality audits and ensure compliance with applicable quality standards.
• Visit customer and supplier facilities as needed to investigate quality issues, participate in plant meetings, and support corrective actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to reduce scrap, prevent defects, and improve product consistency.
• Spend approximately 50% of the time on the manufacturing floor and 50% at a desk or in an office.
• Follow established safety procedures, company policies, and quality requirements.
• Perform additional quality engineering and continuous improvement responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

• Relevant quality engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Level I/II candidates generally have 2–5 years of experience; Level III/IV candidates generally have 5–15 years of experience.
• Knowledge of core quality tools, including APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and PPAP.
• Experience maintaining, managing, or improving a Quality Management System (QMS).
• Familiarity with ISO and/or IATF quality standards.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs or other demanding manufacturing customers.
• Ability to investigate product defects, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and the relationship between process controls and product quality.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, product specifications, and dimensional inspection results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret quality data and identify trends.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to customers, suppliers, engineers, and production personnel.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Quality, Engineering, Tooling, Production, and laboratory teams.
• Willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor troubleshooting quality issues and supporting production.
• Ability to manage multiple quality concerns and corrective action activities simultaneously.
• Willingness to work onsite in Shelbyville, IN, on first shift, with a start time no later than 8:00 AM to attend the morning meeting.
• Ability to work approximately 40–45 hours per week.
• Willingness to visit customer and supplier facilities as needed.

For Level I/II candidates, experience in machining, foundries, or other manufacturing environments may be considered in place of direct die casting experience. Level III/IV candidates should have direct die casting experience, preferably in high-pressure die casting.

Preferred:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field, including Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), calipers, micrometers, depth gauges, and other inspection equipment.
• Experience designing or developing gauges for specific dimensional measurements.
• Previous experience in die casting, preferably high-pressure die casting, for senior-level positions.
• Experience with machining, assembly, metalworking, foundry operations, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience participating in or leading internal, customer, supplier, or third-party audits.
• Familiarity with Minitab or comparable statistical analysis and quality improvement software.
• Bilingual Spanish/English communication skills.
• Experience managing customer complaints and quality reporting through automotive customer portals.
• Experience leading 8D investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Experience supporting new product launches, APQP, PPAP submissions, and production process validation.
• Experience with dimensional inspection, metallurgical testing, and product validation activities.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset with a track record of reducing scrap, improving quality metrics, and preventing recurring defects.

Benefits Overview:

• Level I/II compensation of approximately $90,000–$105,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Level III/IV compensation of approximately $105,000–$115,000 annually.
• Relocation assistance available for eligible candidates.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Additional benefits provided as part of the company's employee benefits package.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division, where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Quality Engineering and Quality Assurance
• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• CNC Machining and Programming
• Field Service Engineering
• Technical Support and Parts Management
• Controls and Automation Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Operations / Plant Engineering

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