Job Description

Quality Engineer – High-Impact Role with Fast-Track to Management | $75K–$85K

Location: Northern Suburbs of Chicago (On-Site, Day Shift)

An established metal products manufacturer in the north suburbs of Chicago is seeking a Quality Engineer to join their team during a high-growth and reinvestment phase. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on problem solver to take ownership of quality functions and build toward a Quality Manager role in the near future.

If you're looking for a role that blends shop-floor troubleshooting with documentation and audits—and you're ready to step into a leadership track—this is the one.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Direct path to Quality Manager as current leadership builds succession
• Privately held, well-capitalized parent company investing heavily in equipment and plant upgrades
• Tight-knit, stable team with long tenure and support from corporate
• Balance of autonomy and stability with the backing of a larger organization
• Diverse, union-represented plant with a welcoming environment
• High visibility across shop and leadership

Key Responsibilities:

• Spend 50% of time on the shop floor addressing nonconformances, root cause analysis, and working directly with machinists/fabricators
• Conduct internal audits, document quality issues, and lead corrective action processes
• Investigate and respond to customer complaints, working cross-functionally to implement permanent fixes
• Handle occasional instrument calibration, PPAPs, and quality documentation

Must-Have Qualifications:

• 3+ years in a dedicated Quality Engineer role within an industrial or heavy manufacturing environment
• Root cause analysis and internal audit experience
• Comfortable in both office and shop floor environments (loud, PPE required)
• Proficient with measuring tools (tape measures, calipers, mics)
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to investigate issues from complaint to resolution
• Microsoft Office proficiency

Strongly Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical discipline
• Experience in metal stamping, machining, forming, or fabrication
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, PPAPs, and instrument calibration

Interview Process:

1. Initial Teams interview with the Quality Manager
2. Final on-site interview and facility tour

This is a confidential search being handled by our team. If you're a hands-on, analytical quality professional ready to grow into leadership—and want to work somewhere you’re valued and visible—this could be your next great move.

Apply now or reach out to schedule a conversation. Interviews are actively being scheduled.