Quality Engineer (Operational Excellence)

MORTON INDUSTRIES•Morton, IL

1d•$70,000 - $105,000•Onsite

About The Position

Morton Industries, LLC is adding a Quality Engineer – Operational Excellence to support Destination 2030, the company's multi-year strategic quality roadmap spanning all six facilities. This is a net-new role dedicated to Operational Excellence activities across the full arc of the strategy, rather than a single facility or objective. The Quality Engineer designs and scales error-proofing solutions, leads structured root-cause analysis for recurring and cross-facility defect drivers, and partners with Process Engineering, the Continuous Improvement Lead, and facility Quality Circles to convert standardized defect data into measurable, sustained improvement — supporting Employee Development, Reduced Defects, and On-Time Delivery in turn.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on manufacturing experience will be considered in lieu of a degree
3–5 years of quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or process engineering experience in a machining, welding, or metal fabrication production environment
Demonstrated hands-on experience with structured root-cause analysis (5-Why, fishbone diagrams, A3, 8D)
Experience designing, piloting, and validating poka-yoke/error-proofing solutions on the shop floor
Experience with ERP-based quality or non-conformance systems; direct Epicor experience is a strong plus
Working knowledge of GD&T, blueprint/drawing interpretation, and standard inspection equipment (calipers, micrometers, gauges, CMM)
Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC) and basic process capability analysis (Cpk/Ppk)
Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma tools: Kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, and standardized work
Strong Microsoft Excel skills; familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting/visualization tools is a plus
Working understanding of common failure modes in machining, welding, and fabrication processes (tool wear, weld defects, dimensional drift, material-handling damage)
Strong facilitation skills — comfortable leading or co-leading cross-functional Quality Circle and Kaizen teams that include operators, technicians, and supervisors
Clear written and verbal communication across audiences ranging from shop-floor operators to plant and executive leadership
Self-directed and comfortable prioritizing across multiple facilities and competing requests
A coaching orientation — genuinely invested in building others' problem-solving skills, not just solving problems personally
Data-driven but practical; able to translate Pareto charts and control plans into shop-floor action
Ability to continuously practice safe habits in the workplace while following all policies and procedures related to health and safety

Nice To Haves

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt, or Six Sigma Black Belt preferred
Multi-site manufacturing experience is a plus, given this role's scope across six facilities
Familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting/visualization tools is a plus

Responsibilities

Design, pilot, and scale poka-yoke (error-proofing) devices and in-process checks at the highest-risk process steps identified through standardized defect data (Destination 2030 Action #8)
Lead structured root-cause analysis — 5-Why, fishbone, A3, and 8D methodologies — for recurring and cross-facility defect drivers
Partner with the Process/Manufacturing Engineering on standard work documentation, process control plans, and quarterly Kaizen events
Support supplier quality agreements, monitoring incoming-material inspection standards, and supplier corrective-action requests (Action #9)
Provide engineering support to monthly Quality Circle sessions, helping cross-functional teams apply the A3 method to top defect drivers
Analyze standardized defect data in Epicor's Quality module to identify and prioritize top defect drivers by facility using Pareto analysis
Support the On-Time Delivery objective indirectly by reducing scrap- and rework-driven schedule variance
Support the Employee Development objective by training operators, technicians, and Quality Circle members on error-proofing methods, root-cause tools, and standard work
Maintain non-conformance, corrective-action (CAPA), and process control plan documentation to audit-ready standards
Report on assigned Destination 2030 action items and defect-reduction metrics to the Steering Committee and quarterly scorecard as needed
Travel periodically across MNO, MSO, MTN, MTX, MEP, and MDAL to support facility-specific defect-reduction initiatives (estimated 20–30%)