Quality Engineer

Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Quality Engineer for a direct hire opportunity with an aluminum casting manufacturing client located in New Hampton, IA. Relocation is provided.

About the role

Our client is a leader in advanced aluminum casting, serving a diverse range of industries. As a Quality Engineer, you’ll apply professional engineering principles to develop, implement, and continuously improve product and process quality systems. You’ll support compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 14001 while championing initiatives in customer satisfaction, scrap reduction, and process stability. This hands-on role maintains a strong presence on the manufacturing floor and leads APQP, PPAP, customer interface, metrology, and technical investigations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 14001 management systems—including internal audits, corrective actions, and document control.
• Lead APQP activities for new product launches, engineering changes, and process changes (dimensional validation, capability studies, Gage R&R, documentation, and submissions).
• Lead and support customer, internal, and third-party audit activities.
• Lead root cause investigations for customer complaints, scrap, dimensional, and process issues. Support containment and verification of corrective actions.
• Analyze manufacturing data and trends to identify opportunities for scrap reduction, process improvement, and increased capability.
• Support process validation and technical quality activities for low pressure, counterpressure, gravity/tilt pour, and secondary operations.
• Collaborate in developing and maintaining PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Work Instructions, and Control Plans.
• Lead supplier quality activities such as technical evaluations, supplier corrective actions, and improvement projects.
• Program, validate, and optimize CMM inspection routines using PC-DMIS software; support metrology planning and dimensional analysis.
• Utilize CMM, laser scanning, x-ray, liquid penetrant, and other inspection systems for product and process evaluation.
• Perform SPC, process capability analysis, and Gage R&R studies; support calibration system and calibration data analysis.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, supporting process discipline, technical troubleshooting, and operator engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field—or equivalent experience
• 2–5 years of manufacturing quality engineering experience
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC methodologies
• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949, and ISO 14001, including internal auditing and corrective action processes
• Hands-on experience with root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Experience operating and programming CMM systems (PC-DMIS)
• Proficient in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T
• Experience with Lean and/or Six Sigma for continuous improvement
• Microsoft Office proficiency; Minitab or similar statistical software experience
• Availability for off-shift or weekend work as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Aluminum foundry experience
• Experience in casting operations (low pressure, counterpressure, permanent mold, gravity/tilt pour)
• Knowledge of casting defect analysis (porosity, shrink, inclusions, etc.)
• Experience with advanced inspection tools (x-ray, laser scanning, Romer Arm, liquid penetrant)
• Internal auditor certification (ISO 9001 or IATF 16949) or CQE
• Automotive customer quality requirement experience
• Calibration system expertise

Pay

$75,000–$85,000

Benefits

Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, and a legal plan. Employees have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. Employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.