Quality Engineer

About the role

Vander-Bend is a U.S.-based manufacturer focused on precision infrastructure for AI. The Quality Engineer will support quality activities in Stockton, CA, focusing on product/process improvement, supplier quality, and compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485.

Responsibilities

• Analyze quality data to identify systemic issues and lead cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Supply Chain and suppliers to drive supplier quality improvements, including corrective actions and performance monitoring.
• Develop, track, and report key process performance metrics to ensure manufacturing processes meet quality and yield targets.
• Lead or support APQP/PPAP activities, including pFMEA, Control Plans, process capability studies, and GR&R.
• Manage nonconforming materials, customer complaints, and returns, ensuring timely root cause analysis and effective corrective/preventive actions.
• Support and maintain compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 Quality Management Systems, including audit readiness and documentation control.
• Author, review, and update standard operating procedures, work instructions, and quality documentation.
• Develop and execute equipment validation protocols and generate validation reports.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams to resolve quality issues and implement sustainable solutions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 2+ years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment (sheet metal or similar preferred).
• Strong knowledge of quality systems and standards, including ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485.
• Experience with core quality tools and methodologies:
• Root cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone)
• FMEA (Design/Process)
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Process capability (Cp/Cpk)
• Experience with APQP/PPAP processes and documentation requirements.
• Experience with measurement system analysis (MSA/GR&R).
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software (Minitab, JMP, or equivalent).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Strong documentation and technical writing abilities (procedures, reports, validations).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to create, review, and revise operating procedures, work instructions in English.
• Specific training and demonstrated success in applying quality problem solving methods, such as fishbone diagrams, 5 why, FMEA, process capability analysis, hypothesis testing, DoE, SPC, etc.
• Minitab, JMP or other statistical software capabilities.