Job Title: Quality EngineerJob Description
The Quality Engineer leads corrective action activities for customer and internal quality events, champions end-to-end built-in quality, and drives continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. This role researches and tests the design, functionality, and maintenance of products, equipment, systems, and processes, and develops and maintains robust quality standards. The Quality Engineer acts as an ambassador and coach for quality practices, manages internal and external customer relationships in partnership with manufacturing engineering teams, and leads quality improvement projects using Office 365 tools and structured problem-solving methodologies such as Six Sigma and 8D.
Responsibilities
- Lead timely emergency, interim, and permanent corrective actions for both customer and internal quality events, collaborating effectively across disciplines.
- Act as an ambassador, coach, and sub-workstream lead for end-to-end built-in quality, promoting best practices throughout the organization.
- Plan and lead quality improvement projects, leveraging Office 365 tools for data analysis, documentation, reporting, and communication.
- Support internal continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities, proposing solutions, and driving implementation.
- Manage internal and external customer contact and relationships in partnership with manufacturing engineering teams, ensuring quality expectations are clearly understood and met.
- Devise sampling procedures and design forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.
- Establish programs to evaluate the precision and accuracy of production equipment and testing, measurement, and analytical equipment and facilities.
- Develop or contribute to training materials and conduct training sessions on quality control activities to build capability across the organization.
- Specialize in relevant areas of quality control engineering such as design, incoming material, process control, product evaluation, product reliability, inventory control, metrology, automated testing, software, research and development, or administrative application as needed.
- Direct workers engaged in measuring and testing product and tabulating data concerning materials, product, or process quality and reliability.
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports to evaluate product integrity and adherence to standards.
- Apply structured problem-solving techniques, including 8D or similar methodologies, to investigate root causes and implement effective corrective and preventive actions in a manufacturing environment.
- Ensure compliance with relevant quality standards and support the maintenance and improvement of manufacturing operations.
- Use Six Sigma and other quality tools and techniques to analyze data, reduce variation, and improve process capability.
- Drive continuous improvement in engineering, design, manufacturing, and maintenance processes through data-driven analysis and cross-functional collaboration.
Essential Skills
- Strong creativity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving ability to investigate quality issues and develop effective solutions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey technical information clearly and build strong working relationships.
- Team-oriented mindset with a high level of attention to detail in all aspects of quality engineering work.
- Basic leadership and mentoring skills to provide support, guidance, and constructive performance feedback to team members.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
- Proficiency with computer applications and software related to the engineering field, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).
- Good working knowledge of quality standards and manufacturing operations.
- Experience applying 8D or similar structured problem-solving techniques in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong influencing skills and the ability to lead teams effectively through problem-solving activities.
- Ability to motivate others, drive compliance with quality requirements, and foster continuous improvement.
- Good working knowledge of engineering, design, manufacturing, and maintenance processes.
- Excellent proficiency in Office 365 applications, with particular strength in data analysis and reporting.
- Bachelors degree in engineering.
- 57 years of experience in quality engineering.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience acting as a quality ambassador or coach, promoting built-in quality across end-to-end processes.
- Background in leading quality improvement projects that involve cross-functional collaboration.
- Familiarity with Six Sigma tools and techniques for process improvement and defect reduction.
- Ability to design and implement sampling procedures and quality data collection systems.
- Experience developing training materials and delivering training on quality control activities.
- Exposure to specialized areas of quality engineering such as process control, product evaluation, reliability, inventory control, metrology, automated testing, software quality, research and development, or administrative applications.
- Strong numerical skills to analyze quality and reliability data and support data-driven decision making.
- Professional demeanor and capability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
Work Environment
The role operates within a manufacturing-focused engineering environment where quality standards and continuous improvement are central to daily activities. The Quality Engineer collaborates closely with manufacturing engineering teams, production staff, and internal and external customers, frequently using Office 365 applications and CAD tools to analyze data, document findings, and manage projects. Work involves both office-based tasks, such as data analysis, reporting, and training development, and regular interaction with production areas to evaluate equipment precision, testing procedures, and product quality. The environment emphasizes structured problem solving, cross-functional teamwork, and a professional approach to communication, with a strong focus on reliability, compliance, and ongoing enhancement of engineering, design, manufacturing, and maintenance processes.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Decatur, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $38.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Decatur, IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 8, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Decatur,IL.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
