Quality Engineer Quality Engineer Jobs in Illinois

About Gleason
With more than 2,200 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, Gleason Corporation is a leader in gear technology. Gleason's product and service offerings include gear and transmission design software, gear manufacturing machines and related accessories, gear metrology equipment and automation systems. Gleason products are used by customers in e-mobility, commercial vehicles, aerospace, agriculture, mining, sustainable energy, construction, power tools, marine and many other industries
Working for Gleason, you will be connected to work that matters, putting your expertise to its best use while developing skills for the future. The result is a career defined by you, supported by Gleason and built on tangible accomplishments. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for the right people to join us on our mission. If you are interested in being part of our team, there are a few things you should know: We are energized by challenges and the effort needed to solve them. We like working with people who are positive, adaptable and growth-minded. We care how work gets accomplished and are deeply invested in the success of our customers and colleagues. If this sounds like you, we invite you to read on and learn more.
Why work at Gleason?

• Excellent benefits package including a 6% Company 401(k) match
• Flexible scheduling options available in some departments
• NYS Certified Apprenticeship Program
• Shift premiums for 2nd and 3rd shifts
• Formal and informal development opportunities.

Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Quality Engineer / Quality Lead to join our manufacturing team. This hybrid role bridges technical quality engineering with hands-on, high-level inspection leadership. You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality standards, while actively leading our inspection team on the shop floor.
The ideal candidate possesses strong engineering problem-solving skills (like root-cause analysis) alongside expert-level knowledge of precision measurement tools to ensure product specifications are consistently met, defects are proactively eliminated, and the highest standards of manufacturing quality and dimensional accuracy are maintained.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Engineering

• Process Improvement: Design, implement, and audit quality control systems and inspection plans for incoming, in-process, and finished goods.
• Root-Cause Analysis: Lead investigations into internal non-conformances and customer returns using structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, 8D, Fishbone diagrams).
• Documentation & Compliance: Author and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Quality Manuals.
• Quality: Collaboration with all areas to evaluate internal / external / supplier corrective action requests (OSARS) and ensure timely and effective implementations of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Data Analysis: Track and analyze quality metrics (scrap rates, defect types) to identify trends and present actionable data to management.

Quality Lead

• Advanced Metrology: Perform complex, high-precision inspections on first-article parts, prototypes, and critical production runs using CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machines), optical comparators, micrometers, and calipers.
• Team Leadership: Provide technical support and coordinate quality technician team daily schedules, inspection tasks, department assignments to ensure testing throughput matches production timelines.
• Calibration Management: Oversee the calibration schedule and database for all plant measurement gages and inspection equipment, ensuring compliance with ISO standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Serve as the facilitator of the continuous improvement system and team to drive organizational changes and improvement suggestions.
• ISO internal Auditor: function as a lead auditor for ISO 9001-ISO 14001 for internal compliance to the standards.

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing quality or quality engineering role.
• Technical Skills: High proficiency in blueprint reading.
• Metrology: Hands-on experience operating CMM equipment and using standard precision measuring tools.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated experience using QA tools (FMEA, SPC, Root-Cause Analysis).
• Communication: Strong technical writing skills for creating reports and the ability to coach floor inspectors and communicate defects to production teams.
• Inspection: Gear inspection experience a plus

Preferred:

• Education: Associate's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical field (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• Certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) Preferred
• Industry Standards: Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISOI 14001 quality & environmental management systems.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Must be able to navigate a bustling manufacturing floor safely.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs occasionally.
• Prolonged periods of standing at inspection stations and working on a computer.

Other Requirements
This position requires that a certain level of confidentiality be maintained. Practice and follow the Gleason Business Philosophy (GBP) and be knowledgeable in the company's ISO 9001 & 14001 targets, objectives and goals.
Have a clear understanding of departmental work instructions and processes.
Employee is required to learn, understand and practice Lean Manufacturing principles within our facility and be capable of moving freely throughout the manufacturing plant and office to perform assignments. Employees must be willing to attain ISO Auditor qualification, attend additional training as necessary, and project a positive image of self, department, and company.
The salary range in this posting depends on qualifications and experience. Actual compensation may vary, and this job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on relevant experience, qualifications/education, and other factors including work schedule, shift premiums, and overtime.
Gleason is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to age, disability, genetic information and/or predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, national origin, race/color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, victim of domestic violence status, arrest or conviction record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job in a manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employees are required to use proper lift assistance for any objects over 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in a manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts; wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees are required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their manager or supervisor.
DISCLAIMER
The duties listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an all inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements or duties and responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.