Quality Engineer

LV Search Partners•North Las Vegas, NV

20h

About The Position

The Quality Engineer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality standards and procedures specific to plastic extrusion processes. This role involves monitoring product quality, leading root cause analysis for nonconformities, and driving corrective actions. The engineer will also collaborate with various teams to optimize processes, support new product introductions, and ensure compliance with industry and customer specifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field.
3-5 years of manufacturing quality experience, preferably in plastics, packaging, extrusion, molding, or related converting processes.
Strong understanding of plastics manufacturing processes and material behavior, including extrusion, decoration, molding, assembly, and packaging operations.
Proficiency in quality tools: SPC, MSA, FMEA, DOE, Control Plans.
Experience with root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Whys).
Working knowledge of quality management systems (ISO standards).

Nice To Haves

ASQ certifications (CQE, CQA, or similar).
Experience with plastics, medical device, automotive, or regulated manufacturing.
Familiarity with dimensional measurement systems and lab testing (e.g., tensile, melt flow index, DSC).
Experience using quality software and data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, Excel, ERP/MES systems).

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and maintain quality standards, procedures, and inspection plans specific to plastic extrusion processes (e.g., tubing, film, sheet, profile).
Monitor product quality using statistical process control (SPC), first article inspections (FAI), in-process checks, and final inspection activities.
Ensure compliance with industry standards (ISO 9001, or equivalent, as applicable).
Lead root cause analysis investigations (e.g., 8D, Fishbone, 5 Whys) for nonconformities, scrap, and customer complaints.
Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurring issues.
Identify process variability in extrusion parameters (temperature, pressure, speed, cooling) and implement improvements.
Collaborate with engineering and production to optimize processes and material usage.
Lead process capability studies and validation activities to establish repeatable manufacturing standards.
Support development and implementation of standardized operating procedures, process controls, and change management practices to improve manufacturing consistency.
Evaluate and qualify raw materials (resins, additives) and suppliers.
Work with procurement and suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve incoming material performance.
Establish and maintain incoming inspection criteria.
Participate in customer audits and regulatory inspections.
Ensure products meet customer specifications, drawings, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain quality documentation, including control plans, FMEAs, work instructions, and inspection records.
Analyze and report key quality metrics (yield, scrap rate, Cp/Cpk, defect trends).
Support internal and external audits.
Partner with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Process Engineering teams to support process validation, capability studies, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide quality training and guidance to operators and technicians.
Support new product introductions (NPI) and process validations.