Quality Engineer

Gleason•Loves Park, IL

About The Position

The Quality Engineer III is a senior technical resource who strengthens the manufacturing Quality Management System and leads quality engineering activities across production and support functions. The role applies quality engineering methods; supports ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 compliance; improves process controls; leads corrective action and continual improvement; and provides daily technical direction to quality technicians and inspection laboratories. It includes hands-on manufacturing quality work and ownership of risk-based quality planning, process auditing, root-cause analysis, control plans, inspection planning, metrology, and quality data analysis to improve product conformity, process capability, customer satisfaction, and sustained QMS performance. The position supports QMS and environmental management processes and documentation, develops and improves inspection plans and process controls, leads investigations into nonconformances and other quality issues, and performs or supports internal, customer, supplier, and certification audits. It monitors quality metrics and works cross-functionally to resolve issues and implement improvements. The role provides functional leadership and coordination to inspectors and technicians but does not have direct personnel-management responsibility. The employee must practice the Gleason Business Philosophy, understand and support applicable ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 objectives, communicate and follow quality and environmental responsibilities, learn and practice Lean Manufacturing principles, and support continual improvement and necessary training. The position requires moving throughout a manufacturing plant and office, navigating the manufacturing floor safely, occasional lifting up to 35 pounds, prolonged standing at inspection stations, and computer work.

Requirements

Hands-on experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, inspection, auditing, or Quality Management System support.
Working knowledge of ISO 9001 requirements, internal auditing, documented information, corrective action, risk-based thinking, customer satisfaction, and continual improvement.
High proficiency in blueprint reading, inspection planning, and measurement methods.
Demonstrated experience with root-cause analysis, corrective action, nonconformance control, and data-driven problem solving.
Hands-on experience using CMM equipment and standard precision measuring tools.
Strong technical writing, audit reporting, coaching, and cross-functional communication skills.
Proficiency in the Microsoft 365 suite.
Ability to navigate a manufacturing floor safely and move throughout the manufacturing plant and office.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally and tolerate prolonged periods of standing at inspection stations and working on a computer.
Willingness to attain or maintain ISO auditor qualification and attend additional quality engineering and QMS training as necessary.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professional judgment and to practice and support the Gleason Business Philosophy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent education and experience.
Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems and ISO 14001 environmental management systems.
Gear inspection experience.

Responsibilities

Participate in and support ISO 9001 quality system and ISO 14001 environmental system processes, procedures, work instructions, forms, and documented information.
Develop, review, and improve inspection plans, process controls, and risk-mitigation activities to prevent defects and support product conformity.
Lead investigations of internal nonconformances, customer complaints, supplier issues, and audit findings using structured problem-solving tools such as 5 Why, 8D, and fishbone diagrams.
Perform and support ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 internal audits, customer audits, supplier audits, and certification audit activities; verify corrective actions for effectiveness and closure.
Track, analyze, and report quality metrics, including scrap, rework, customer complaints, audit findings, supplier defects, and corrective-action status, and drive improvement projects based on trends.
Partner with the Quality Supervisor, production, engineering, purchasing, suppliers, and management to resolve quality issues, implement process improvements, communicate requirements, and promote quality ownership.
Provide quality input for product and process changes; recommend containment or escalation when requirements are not met; and support disposition decisions within delegated authority.
Provide day-to-day technical direction to quality technicians and inspectors; coordinate inspection priorities; support qualification and training; review inspection work; and escalate staffing, performance, or disciplinary matters to the Quality Supervisor.
Perform inspection of critical features as needed using CMM, optical comparators, micrometers, calipers, gages, and other precision measurement equipment.
Create and maintain inspection requirements, sampling plans, receiving inspection criteria, in-process checks, final inspection requirements, and conformity records.
Audit and verify third-party calibration services and the calibration system; ensure measuring and monitoring equipment is identified and controlled; and address out-of-tolerance conditions in accordance with quality procedures.
Support control of QMS procedures, work instructions, inspection and calibration records, nonconformance records, audit reports, and corrective-action documentation.
Navigate the manufacturing floor safely, move throughout the plant and office, and perform assignments that may involve prolonged standing, computer work, and occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.
Learn, understand, and practice Lean Manufacturing principles; attain or maintain ISO auditor qualification; attend necessary quality engineering and QMS training; and support continual improvement activities.