Quality Engineer
Quality Engineer – Consumer Products (Furniture & Home Accessories)Job SummaryThe Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring that consumer products meet safety standards, regulatory requirements, and customer quality expectations for the North American Market. The candidate will be working closely with product design dept, outsourced and local manufacturing, testing laboratories, suppliers, and marketing teams to ensure products are compliant, manufacturable, and market-ready.The Quality Engineer acts as a bridge between product design, suppliers, and quality control to prevent quality issues and ensure consistent product performance throughout the life cycle of the product.Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Safety & Risk AssessmentEnsure products comply with consumer product safety standards and meet the customer’s quality requirementsIdentify potential safety hazards (sharp edges, tipping risk, chemical risks, load failure).Ensure product complies with state regulationsConduct risk analysis such as:DFMEA (Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis)PFMEA (Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis)Review product safety requirements for items such as:Furniture stabilityShower curtain rod load strengthHook / caddy weight capacityMaterial safety and complianceRegulatory ComplianceEnsure products comply with applicable regulations such as:Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)ASTM International standardsInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO)Examples of regulations for consumer goods:CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)Chemical restrictions (lead, phthalates)California Prop 65 requirementsLabeling requirementsFlammability requirements (textiles e.g shower curtains, bedding)Testing Methods & Product ValidationDefine and verify product testing methods.Examples:Mechanical testingLoad test (rod, hook, shelf, caddy)Drop testDurability cycle testTorque / pull force testingEnvironmental testingCorrosion testing (salt spray for metal products)Humidity testing (bathroom products)Anti-mildew requirementsMaterial testingFabric strengthCoating adhesionPlastic impact resistanceWork with third-party labs and government organizations for certification and compliance testing.Manufacturing Process QualityUnderstand and control supplier manufacturing processes:Examples:Metal formingPlastic injection moldingPowder coating / paintingTextile sewingQuality engineer responsibilities:Define critical-to-quality parametersApprove production samplesEstablish inspection standardsReview first article inspection (FAI)Collaboration with Product DesignAct as a bridge between design and manufacturing.Responsibilities:Review product drawings and specificationsEnsure design can be manufactured reliablyRecommend design improvements for quality, regulatory and safetyParticipate in design review meetingsExample:Improve hook design to prevent breakageIncrease rod thickness for load safetyMarketing & Customer RequirementsUnderstand customer and market expectations.Examples:Product durability expectationsEase of installationPackaging qualityRetailer requirements (such as Walmart packaging tests)Translate marketing needs into measurable quality requirementsQuality Documentation & StandardsCreate and maintain:Product specificationsInspection checklistsTesting protocolsQuality standardsCompliance documentationRequired SkillsKnowledge of consumer product safety standardsUnderstanding of testing methodsManufacturing processesStatistical quality tools (SPC, control charts)Root cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone)Soft SkillsCross-functional communicationSupplier managementProblem solvingProject managementQualifications:Bachelor’s or higher degree in a related field (Engineering or equivalent experience, e.g., Quality Management).Proven experience in Engineering, quality control, preferably in the retail or consumer goods industry.Strong proficiency in Microsoft software suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams and others.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.Benefits:Extended health careDental careVision careOn-site parkingChallenging position with much opportunity for growth.