Quality Engineering Manager

About the role

The Quality Engineering Manager leads the Quality Engineering function and builds a high-performing team that supports customers, manufacturing operations, suppliers and new product development. The role partners with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to improve product quality, customer satisfaction and business performance. It is based in Buffalo Grove.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team of Quality Engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching and performance management.
• Drive quality initiatives for customer programs, manufacturing, suppliers and new product development.
• Provide technical leadership for customer quality issues, including containment, root cause analysis, corrective action and communication.
• Serve as quality lead for high-impact projects and critical business initiatives.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, DMAIC and root cause analysis.
• Lead APQP NPD quality activities, including risk assessments, validation planning and launch readiness reviews.
• Promote quality tools such as FMEA, PPAP, SPC, MSA, DOE and Control Plans.
• Lead customer-facing quality activities including audits, issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Analyze quality data and metrics, support supplier quality improvement and deliver quality training and coaching.
• Ensure compliance with quality management system requirements, customer requirements and regulatory standards.

Required profile

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

Preferred skills

• 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.
• ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle) and analytics tools such as Power BI.

Physical demands include occasional movement through manufacturing or supplier sites, standing, walking and light lifting up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodation is provided. The salary range is $91,100-$129,800, with possible annual bonus depending on eligibility.