Quality Engineer - NPI
Gradel Pro Search (GPS) is an Industrial Search and Recruiting Services firm partnering with manufacturing, aerospace & defense, engineered products, chemicals, and industrial organizations to identify and align talent with critical business objectives.We work with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, private equity-backed organizations, and growth-oriented manufacturers, navigating hiring across complex operational and technical environments.Our client is a growth-oriented manufacturing organization seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer - NPI to support new product introduction activities from prototype through production ramp.This role will partner closely with engineering, operations, manufacturing, and suppliers to drive production readiness, process capability, launch execution, and quality performance across complex manufacturing programs. This position supports highly technical manufacturing operations requiring strong collaboration, production support, and hands-on quality engineering execution throughout the product lifecycle.ResponsibilitiesSupport NPI activities from early builds through production ramp, coordinating cross-functional quality and manufacturing readiness activitiesPartner with engineering, operations, suppliers, and manufacturing teams to proactively resolve launch and production quality issuesSupport customer quality requirements including audits, technical discussions, documentation reviews, and compliance activitiesDevelop and maintain Control Plans, PFMEA documentation, and Design for Quality (DFQ) processesPrepare and review PPAP documentation, AS9102 First Article Inspection reports, and validation protocols including IQ/OQ/PQSupport supplier readiness activities including supplier audits, PPAP compliance, and qualification processesLead root cause analysis and corrective actions utilizing 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, and structured problem-solving methodologiesProgram and support CMM and visual inspection systems for dimensional and production inspection activitiesDevelop inspection fixtures, test methods, and metrology processes supporting product validation and production qualitySupport production and engineering teams in the analysis and interpretation of inspection and quality dataDrive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality systems, metrology, process capability, and operational efficiencySupport internal ISO audits and external supplier audits while maintaining compliance with customer and industry quality standardsRequirementsBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline preferred3+ years of manufacturing quality engineering experience within NPI, aerospace, medical device, or highly regulated manufacturing environments3+ years of CMM programming experienceStrong experience with APQP, PPAP, GD&T, PFMEA, SPC, MSA, and AS9102 First Article Inspection processesExperience supporting customer, supplier, and third-party audit activitiesExperience supporting production launch, process validation, and production ramp activitiesStrong understanding of technical drawings, dimensional analysis, and GD&T interpretationExperience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies including 8D and 5-WhyKnowledge of process capability studies including Cp/Cpk analysisExperience working within ERP, MES, and manufacturing quality systems preferredASQ, GD&T, Lean/Six Sigma, or related certifications preferred