Quality Engineering Manager

Wabtec•Buffalo Grove, IL

7h•$91,100 - $129,800•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Quality Engineering function and developing a high-performing team that supports customers, manufacturing operations, suppliers, and new product development activities. This role ensures the effective deployment of quality engineering principles, structured problem solving, risk reduction, and quality planning throughout the product lifecycle. The position serves as a key partner to Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to improve product quality, customer satisfaction, and business performance. Success in this role requires strong leadership, technical credibility, and the ability to influence and drive results across a cross-functional organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field preferred and 7+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering, including 5 years in leadership roles. Equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Proven success in implementing quality improvements in a manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and similar standards.
Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

ASQ Certification (CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE) or equivalent.
Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or higher.
Experience in transportation, industrial, or safety-critical product sectors.
Familiarity with digital quality tools, automation, and data visualization platforms.
Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and leveraging analytics tools such as Power BI or AI-driven platforms to support data-informed quality decisions.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of Quality Engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching, and performance management.
Lead quality initiatives supporting customer programs, manufacturing operations, suppliers, and new product development activities.
Provide technical leadership for customer quality issues, ensuring timely containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and communication.
Serve as the quality lead for high-impact projects and critical business initiatives.
Drive the use of structured problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, DMAIC, and root cause analysis, to resolve complex quality issues and prevent recurrence.
Lead APQP New Product Development (NPD) quality activities, including risk assessments, validation planning, and launch readiness reviews.
Apply and promote quality tools and methodologies including FMEA, PPAP, SPC, MSA, DOE, and Control Plans to improve product and process performance.
Partner with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to achieve quality objectives and improve customer satisfaction.
Lead customer-facing quality activities including audits, issue resolution, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Analyze quality data and performance metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Support supplier quality improvement activities, including issue resolution, risk mitigation, and performance monitoring.
Develop and deliver quality-related training and coaching to build organizational capability and strengthen quality awareness.
Ensure compliance with quality management system requirements, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
Drive improvements in quality systems, tools, processes, and reporting methods to enhance product quality, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.