QA Optimization Engineer

Avery Dennison • Painesville, OH

9d • $75,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Quality Optimization Engineer identifies, analyzes, and eliminates manufacturing yield loss while ensuring operational capabilities align with product specifications. The role works autonomously and serves as a liaison among Operations, Quality, R&D, and Engineering to clarify quality standards and reduce operational ambiguity. It applies engineering principles and technologies such as AI-driven data tools and predictive analytics to improve yield and optimize manufacturing processes.

The position leads investigations into manufacturing loss, scrap, and downtime; drives root-cause analysis and corrective actions; and supports specification development and process capability evaluation. It also develops process controls, standard operating procedures, control plans, and training materials, reports performance metrics and capability studies, and conducts targeted age testing to validate product performance and reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• At least 1 year of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Exceptional critical-thinking skills and the ability to evaluate complex system inputs, isolate variables, and develop actionable solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently, define project scope, and build alignment across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to connect technical specifications with manufacturing realities and translate engineering tolerances into practical operational standards.
• Proficiency with AI productivity and analytics tools, such as predictive analytics models and LLM-assisted data processing, as well as traditional statistical analysis software such as Minitab.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical analysis as clear recommendations for internal stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to process capability analysis, including SPC/Cpk.
• Exposure to specification-setting workflows.
• Exposure to Lean Six Sigma concepts.
• Exposure to formal root-cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Identify drivers of manufacturing loss, scrap, and downtime; develop and execute strategies to improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Lead end-to-end root-cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, 5-Why, and Fishbone Analysis, with minimal supervisory oversight.
• Work with Operations leadership to clarify quality standards and establish clear visual or measurable criteria understood on the production floor.
• Assist in drafting, refining, and reviewing product specifications, and evaluate process capability using Cpk/Ppk to determine whether specifications are achievable in production.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and R&D to implement sustainable process controls.
• Use AI tools, machine learning applications, and modern data platforms to support data synthesis, predictive modeling, and root-cause discovery.
• Translate problem-solving outcomes and specification updates into SOPs, control plans, and training materials to prevent recurring defects.
• Prepare and present quantitative performance metrics, capability studies, and project updates to plant and operations management.
• Conduct targeted age testing on key product lines and incorporate findings into problem-solving and quality investigations.

Benefits

• Access to a large network of medical and behavioral health professionals.
• Automatic retirement contribution of 3% of eligible pay, regardless of employee contribution, plus a 50% match on the first 7% of eligible pay contributed.
• Healthcare and insurance options to support employees and their families, largely available starting on the first day of employment.
• Generous vacation program that varies based on experience and position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level