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Quality Engineer Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quality Engineer Associate

Aldie, VA · On-site

$75K - $113K/yr

The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for documenting, managing, implementing, and institutionalizing the Quality Assurance plan for the assigned business unit and/or service center.

Senior Quality Engineer

North Haven, CT · On-site

$88K - $119K/yr

Oversee and provide leadership for Quality Engineers, Associate Quality Engineers and other personnel as necessary. Tracking timelines and facilitating the required Quality Engineering Tools.

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Quality Engineer Associate information

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$17

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How much do quality engineer associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for quality engineer associate in the United States is $32.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.96 and $37.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a quality engineer associate do?

A Quality Engineer Associate supports the quality assurance and control processes within manufacturing or production environments. Their responsibilities typically include inspecting products, monitoring production processes, assisting with quality audits, and helping to implement quality standards and procedures. They work closely with senior quality engineers and production teams to identify defects, resolve quality issues, and ensure that products meet required specifications. This entry-level role is a great starting point for a career in quality engineering, as it provides hands-on experience with quality systems and tools.

What are some common challenges a quality engineer associate might face in their daily work?

Quality Engineer Associates often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple projects with tight deadlines, interpreting complex product specifications, and effectively communicating quality standards to cross-functional teams. They may also need to troubleshoot unexpected production issues and adapt quickly to new processes or technologies. Developing strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as building collaborative relationships with manufacturing, engineering, and quality assurance teams, can help overcome these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a quality engineer associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Quality Engineer Associate, you need a solid understanding of quality control principles, data analysis, and basic engineering concepts, usually supported by a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as statistical process control (SPC), Six Sigma methodologies, and quality management systems (QMS) is often required, and certifications like ASQ CQE can be beneficial. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across teams and address quality issues proactively. These skills are vital for ensuring product reliability, compliance with standards, and continuous improvement in manufacturing or service processes.

What is the difference between Quality Engineer Associate vs Quality Technician?

AspectQuality Engineer AssociateQuality Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; certifications like ASQ CQE are a plusUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications like CQI or CQT are common
Work EnvironmentInvolves analysis, process improvement, and collaboration with engineering teamsFocuses on inspection, testing, and data collection on the production floor
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and electronics industriesCommonly employed in manufacturing and production settings

The Quality Engineer Associate and Quality Technician roles share a focus on quality assurance but differ mainly in responsibilities and required education. The associate typically engages in process analysis and improvement, while the technician concentrates on testing and inspection tasks. Both roles are vital in maintaining product quality within manufacturing industries.

Are quality engineer associates paid well?

Quality engineer associates typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, but with skills in quality management tools and certifications, salaries can increase significantly over time.

Is a Quality Engineer Associate an entry level job?

A Quality Engineer Associate is typically considered an entry-level position in quality assurance and engineering. It often requires basic knowledge of quality tools, inspection processes, and sometimes certifications like Six Sigma Green Belt, making it suitable for those starting their careers in quality roles.

What cities are hiring for Quality Engineer Associate jobs?

Cities with the most Quality Engineer Associate job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Quality Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Quality Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Quality Engineer Associate jobs?

States with the most job openings for Quality Engineer Associate jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Quality Engineer Associate jobs?

For Quality Engineer Associate jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Quality Engineer Associate job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,686 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

QUALITY ENGINEER ASSOCIATE

South Bend, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


McCormick & Company rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments - and we're only getting started. At McCormick, we're always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

McCormick employees - all 14,000 of us across the world - are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire a Quality Engineer Associate - 1st Shift immediately at our South Bend, IN Plant located at 3425 W Lathrop St in South Bend, IN.

Under the direction of the Quality Engineer II, the Associate Quality Engineer is responsible for the overall development and maintenance of documentation that captures best operating practices in some of the operations deparmtnets within the plant. The key objective of this role is to reduce variation in operating methods thereby improving the reliability, repeatability of processes and eliminate defects.

Lead the management, disposition and system improvements for Out of Specification, defective Materials (Raw, WIP, and Finished goods), and complaints using TPM process (e.g., FMEA, QC Matrix, SPC, 5 Why, 12 Step, DMAIC, Risk Assessments, etc.)

Quality Technical Lead for start-up of process, equipment design and formulas

Drive manufacturing process capability improvements through variation reduction, error-proofing, and implementation of statistics. This include collecting and analyzing data to identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement of product and process quality

Implement quality best practices and McCormick Quality Standards

Conduct Internal Audits and participate in external audits

Develop capabilities of Operation, Warehouse and QA Teams in relationships to understanding and implementation of quality standards and best practices

Daily Maintenance of Quality Programs (e.g., Infinity, Print Systems, checkweighers, operational procedure review / update, Inspection Plans)

BSc in Technical ; Quality/Research/Product Development

1;2 years Manufacturing Quality Experience required Project Management Experience preferred.

Leading cross;functional team required Must be able to professionally relate to key vendors, HQ, and Operations to help grow partnerships, gaining agreement on performance expectations and influence change. Must have ability to learn technical equipment/process and its capabilities. Must be able to relate work tasks to the 7 major plant KPIs (safety, people, quality, performance, service, cost, and innovation). Must be able to execut Design of Experiements. (DOE)

Influence & Positive Impact - Will be coached and mentored by the Quality Engineer II at persuading, motivating, and energizing others at all levels. Passionate, personable, self;confident, and likeable. Able to flex style and direct, collaborate, or empower as the situation requires. Ability to establish a personal power base built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty. Establish and maintain productive relationships and networks to facilitate business transactions.

Ability to learn and apply statistical and focus improvement tools for process improvements (SPC, Capability studies, FMEA, DOE, etc.) Excellent organizational skills to be able to handle multiple projects and activities to ensure on time completion Excellent verbal and written skills. Medium to excellent Microsoft suite skills. Ability to work independently and have flexible work hour Adaptability - open to and actively solicit new ideas and opinions

Ability to learn and apply statistical and focus improvement tools for process improvements (SPC, Capability studies, FMEA, DOE, etc.) Excellent organizational skills to be able to handle multiple projects and activities to ensure on time completion Excellent verbal and written skills. Medium to excellent Microsoft suite skills. Ability to work independently and have flexible work hour Adaptability - open to and actively solicit new ideas and opinions

HACCP, GFSI (SQF, BRC, etc.), Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt)

SAP experience preferred TPM Experience preferred (within a food or pharmeceutical industry preferably)

Ability to recognize problem, analyze and develop solutions using a logical thought process. Low to Medium level of complex, ambiguous problems - some of which are time sensitive and multi disciplinary. Must have the ability to lead / direct large cross function teams that includes corporate and plant functions through improvements using Focus Improvement and Total Production Maintenance (TPM) tools. Limited interaction with Customers and minimal (if any) interaction with suppliers. Making decisions based on facts, sound logic, and training is critical for the daily management of the areas of responsibility. Will have input to annual strategic QA Leadership plan for plant as well as responsible for delivering key department and plant level metrics based on individual contributions and work. Incumbent may impact, either positively or negatively the business unit through quality errors that are not detected or avoided. The negative impact could be significant for the McCormick reputation as well as significant costs associated with quality errors in the form of sub-quality product that needs to destroyed. This could be in the $100,000 or greater. Engage with teams across McCormick

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future. 

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.


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