Job Title: Quality Assurance EngineerJob DescriptionThe Quality Assurance Engineer supports quality engineering activities within a dynamic manufacturing environment, focusing on investigating product, process, and customer quality issues and driving timely, effective resolutions. This role conducts root cause analysis, implements corrective and preventive actions, and partners closely with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to improve product quality, compliance, and overall operational performance. The position offers broad exposure to advanced manufacturing processes, highly engineered electronic components, customer complaints, audits, and continuous process improvement, with the opportunity to make a direct impact on product quality and customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities
- Support quality engineering activities within a manufacturing environment to ensure products consistently meet internal and customer quality standards.
- Investigate product, process, and customer quality issues and drive timely resolution to prevent recurrence and minimize impact on operations.
- Conduct detailed root cause analysis using tools such as 5 Why, RCA, and CAPA, and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring issues.
- Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to improve product quality, regulatory compliance, and overall operational performance.
- Review production processes and quality data to identify trends and opportunities for continuous improvement in yield, reliability, and efficiency.
- Support customer complaint investigations, including data collection, analysis, and documentation, and communicate findings, corrective actions, and resolutions to stakeholders.
- Create, maintain, and update quality documentation, reports, and records in accordance with quality system requirements and industry standards.
- Participate in internal and external quality audits and support ongoing quality system compliance initiatives, including ISO 9001-related activities.
- Review engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation to ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and consistently met.
- Support manufacturing operations by identifying quality risks, recommending solutions, and implementing improvements to processes and controls.
- Work cross-functionally with manufacturing, production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure products meet customer requirements and internal quality standards.
- Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and initiative by independently identifying quality issues and driving quality improvement projects to completion.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives leveraging Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies where applicable.
- Provide audit support through preparation of documentation, participation in audit activities, and follow-up on audit findings and corrective actions.
- Engage with customers as needed regarding quality issues, investigations, and corrective actions, representing the organizations commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
- Maintain strong attention to detail in all quality records, reports, and documentation to ensure accuracy, traceability, and compliance.
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, making independent decisions and collaborating across multiple functions to resolve quality concerns.
Essential Skills
- 35 years of quality engineering experience within a manufacturing environment preferred, with consideration for candidates with less experience who possess strong internship, co-op, or relevant manufacturing quality experience.
- Experience supporting quality engineering activities in a production setting, including direct involvement with manufacturing processes and quality controls.
- Proven experience performing root cause investigations and corrective action activities using methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, 5 Why Analysis, CAPA, or similar quality tools.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities applied to complex product and process quality issues.
- Ability to independently solve problems, take ownership of quality improvement initiatives, and drive quality improvements from concept through implementation.
- Experience working cross-functionally with manufacturing, production, engineering, and quality teams to resolve issues and enhance product quality.
- Ability to effectively communicate technical information and investigation results across multiple levels of an organization, both verbally and in writing.
- Strong attention to detail and documentation skills, with the ability to create, maintain, and update accurate quality records and reports.
- Experience supporting customer quality issues and customer complaint investigations, including documentation and communication of findings and actions.
- Eligibility to work in an ITAR-regulated environment, with the ability to comply with all applicable regulations and requirements.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering preferred, or equivalent technical education and experience in a manufacturing or quality-related discipline.
- Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments preferred, such as medical device, aerospace, defense, electronics, semiconductor, or component manufacturing.
- Exposure to ISO 9001 quality systems preferred, including participation in maintaining and improving quality management system compliance.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies preferred, with the ability to apply continuous improvement principles to manufacturing and quality processes.
- Audit participation or audit support experience preferred, including preparing documentation, supporting audit activities, and addressing audit findings.
- Experience in medical device manufacturing preferred, with familiarity in applicable quality and regulatory expectations.
- Experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing preferred, with understanding of industry-specific quality requirements and standards.
- Experience in electronics, semiconductor, or component manufacturing preferred, including hands-on involvement with advanced manufacturing processes.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Strong initiative, ownership mindset, and independent problem-solving approach, with a desire to continuously improve products and processes.
- Interest in a temp-to-hire opportunity with long-term growth potential within a stable global manufacturing organization.
- Comfort interacting with customers regarding quality issues, investigations, and corrective actions, while maintaining a professional and solutions-focused approach.
Work EnvironmentThis position is 100% onsite, with responsibilities that span the engineering offices and the production floor in a fast-paced manufacturing facility. The role involves frequent collaboration with quality, manufacturing, process engineering, and production teams, as well as hands-on involvement with manufacturing processes, quality investigations, and process improvement initiatives. You will regularly access cleanroom and manufacturing areas to support product quality and operational improvements and may interact directly with customers regarding quality issues and corrective actions as needed. The environment rewards initiative, ownership, and independent problem-solving, offering strong cross-functional visibility across engineering, production, and quality teams and the opportunity to support advanced manufacturing processes and highly engineered electronic components. The work setting emphasizes safety, adherence to regulated manufacturing practices, and clear communication across all levels of the organization. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $78000.00 - $90000.00/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 & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.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.