Project Quality Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Quality Engineer supports product and process quality across the entire product lifecycle, from new product development and validation through manufacturing, production support, and sustaining engineering. This role investigates product and manufacturing quality issues, drives root cause analysis and corrective actions, and partners closely with cross-functional teams to improve quality, reliability, and performance. The Quality Engineer develops and maintains quality documentation, supports validation and testing activities, and ensures that products and processes comply with quality standards and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support product and process quality activities throughout the entire product lifecycle, including new product development, manufacturing, validation, production support, and sustaining engineering.
• Investigate product and manufacturing quality issues, perform detailed root cause analysis, and lead corrective and preventive action efforts to improve quality, reliability, and performance.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, and Operations teams to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support product validation, reliability testing, environmental testing, and qualification activities to ensure products meet performance, reliability, and quality requirements.
• Develop, update, and maintain quality documentation, including inspection criteria, work instructions, test plans, quality procedures, and quality records.
• Review and support product changes, deviations, and engineering updates to ensure compliance with quality requirements, standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Analyze quality trends, customer issues, field returns, and manufacturing data to identify systemic issues, improvement opportunities, and defect reduction strategies.
• Monitor and track quality metrics, prepare reports, and communicate findings, risks, and data-driven recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Support internal audits and Quality Management System activities, contributing to the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of quality processes and best practices.
• Serve as a technical quality resource within cross-functional teams, providing guidance on problem-solving methodologies, quality standards, testing requirements, and product reliability.
• Contribute to new product introduction activities by supporting product validation, verification, and reliability testing plans and execution.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, Fishbone, CAPA, and other methodologies to address complex quality and manufacturing issues.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure robust manufacturing quality systems, inspection methodologies, and sampling plans.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on quality performance, trends, and improvement initiatives to cross-functional teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in electronics or electromechanical manufacturing environments, including PCBA, SMT, and board-level products.
• Quality Engineering experience supporting manufacturing and product quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis experience using tools such as 8D, Fishbone, CAPA, and corrective action methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with product quality in electronics manufacturing, including PCBA quality and electronics manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting product validation, verification, reliability testing, and environmental testing.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management systems, including internal audits and regulatory or compliance requirements.
• Ability to develop quality metrics, analyze trends, and present data-driven recommendations to stakeholders.
• Understanding of GD&T, inspection methodologies, sampling plans, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Exposure to destructive and non-destructive test methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Visio, Access, and Power BI.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.

• Experience in a strong technical environment with complex electromechanical and electronics-based products.
• Familiarity with reliability test methods and product qualification processes.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is a plus.
• ASQ certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Certified Quality Manager (CQM) are highly desirable.
• IPC-A-610 certification is highly desirable.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification is highly desirable.
• Experience working with continuous improvement initiatives and lean methodologies.
• Comfort presenting quality data and improvement plans to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.
• Interest in supporting products from development through production and sustainment with a focus on long-term reliability and customer satisfaction.
• Motivation to influence product quality and process improvements in a high-visibility role with broad cross-functional interaction.

This is an onsite role with a typical schedule of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You will work in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment alongside Product Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Operations teams. The setting involves exposure to complex electromechanical and electronics-based products and offers significant involvement in product development, validation, manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives. The organization provides a strong technical environment, comprehensive benefits, tuition reimbursement, and meaningful opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Carlsbad, CA.

The pay range for this position is $94800.00 - $126400.00/yr.

3 weeks PTO + holidays Medical, dental, vision 401K + life insurance Tuition reimbursement Pet insurance

This is a fully onsite position in Carlsbad,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.