Sr. Quality Engineer

Novanta Inc.•Bedford, MA

1d•$115,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Quality Engineer within Novanta’s Robotics & Automation team, you will support the optical encoder product line, ensuring product quality, reliability, and continuous improvement across mechatronic and electronic systems. This role includes responsibility for incoming, in-process, final inspection, and test equipment calibration activities. You will partner with cross-functional teams and suppliers to investigate quality issues, implement corrective actions, and support new product development and sustaining engineering efforts. The position requires a customer-focused approach, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to manage multiple quality initiatives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. Novanta’s Robotics & Automation team develops precision motion, vision, and automation subsystems that enable OEM customers to build advanced equipment used across industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, industrial automation, electronics, and life sciences. The team focuses on high-performance technologies including multi-axis motion systems, drives and controllers, encoders, and laser-based sensing, delivering integrated solutions designed for accuracy, reliability, and repeatability. Operating within a B2B model, the group partners closely with customers to embed these components into larger systems, supporting mission-critical applications that require tight tolerances and consistent performance at scale.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing, or related technical environment
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Familiarity with quality control tools, inspection processes, and basic root cause analysis methods
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, technical manuals, and schematics
Exposure to ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 quality management systems preferred
Bonus: Experience CMM programming and inspection methods
Bonus: Audit experience with internal , customer and / or registrar audits for ISO 9001 and ISO 13485

Responsibilities

Support RMA investigations and communicate findings using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys)
Drive corrective and preventive actions to address root cause and improve product performance
Participate in continuous improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies
Identify and communicate supplier quality issues and drive resolution in collaboration with the Supplier Quality team
Lead MRB activities and contribute to scrap reduction initiatives
Support supplier corrective actions and follow issues through to closure
Support PPAP deliverables internally and within the supply chain
Develop and implement risk-based sampling plans aligned with product criticality and quality requirements
Support First Article Inspection (FAI) activities and maintain product qualification and validation records
Lead nonconforming product investigations and drive timely disposition of MRB material
Ensure effective containment, corrective actions, and closure of product quality issues
Lead scheduling and support of calibration and maintenance efforts of production test equipment
Support part qualification activities internally and within the supply chain
Assist with transfer of products from engineering to production
Participate in design and process risk assessments (DFMEA/PFMEA), V&V and Reliability reporting
Provide support for product compliance and certification requirements
Lead and facilitate root cause investigations into electronic component and PCBA failures, including field returns, internal rejects, and supplier defects. Perform detailed failure analysis of electronic PCBAs and assemblies.
Apply structured problem-solving methodologies, including: 8D, DMAIC, 5 Whys, Ishikawa (Fishbone)