Quality Engineering Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Description: Quality Engineering Manager

The Quality Engineering Manager leads the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust quality standards for industrial processes, materials, and products across diverse markets such as aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, robotics, and industrial machinery. This role oversees both Quality Control and Quality Assurance functions, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality products, continuous improvement of processes, and exceptional service to customers. The manager provides strategic direction to the quality organization, drives best practices in quality engineering and inspection, and ensures that quality systems and teams effectively support both new and existing customers.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and oversee activities related to the development, application, and maintenance of quality standards for industrial processes, materials, and products.
• Lead and manage Quality Control and Quality Assurance activities to ensure consistent product quality and compliance with customer and industry requirements.
• Manage staff resources and organizational structure within the Quality Engineering Department to align with business objectives for new and existing customers.
• Identify opportunities to improve Quality Engineering Department processes and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Review and improve Inspection Department processes, ensuring the adoption and maintenance of best practices.
• Maintain and oversee the Customer Issue Report, ensuring issues are accurately documented, tracked, and resolved.
• Coordinate and monitor the Returned Goods Authorization (RGA) process and status, ensuring timely handling and resolution of returned products.
• Lead the Material Review Board (MRB), including scheduling and conducting reviews of discrepant hold areas and making disposition decisions.
• Manage the Corrective Action System, including identifying root causes, defining corrective actions, verifying effectiveness, and ensuring completeness and accuracy of all related information.
• Oversee the Late Shipment System and ensure appropriate actions are taken to address and reduce late deliveries.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the total work volume handled by the Quality Department, including QC40 tickets, late shipments, RGAs, and related activities on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.
• Develop and implement strategies to address unfavorable quality trends, with the goal of reducing the frequency and quantity of quality issues.
• Maintain and manage budgetary spending within the Quality Engineering Department, ensuring alignment with financial objectives.
• Monitor and mentor Quality Engineering and Inspection leaders on departmental spending, ensuring adherence to approved and adjusted budgets.
• Monitor the Quality Engineering Phone Loop to verify that the ACD phone system is properly staffed during business hours, report weekly results, and develop plans to correct any significant variances.
• Review and provide input on financial budgets for the Quality Engineering Department, suggesting ideas to optimize resource utilization.
• Lead, motivate, and inspire direct reports, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and continuous-improvement culture.
• Monitor and review the performance of direct reports, providing timely and objective coaching, mentoring, and counseling.
• Resolve performance, job satisfaction, and interpersonal issues within the team, balancing employee needs with departmental and organizational goals.
• Develop onboarding and training programs for Quality Engineering and Inspection staff, and guide the creation of individual development plans.
• Manage the quality engineering team, including involvement in recruitment, selection, and development of team members.

Essential Skills

• Four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Five to ten years of related experience in quality engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in a role supervising quality engineers.
• Proven experience implementing Quality Management Systems (QMS), including system deployment, maintenance, and continuous improvement.
• Strong experience in Supplier Quality Assurance and quality auditing.
• In-depth understanding of APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process).
• Proficiency in Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies.
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and capability charts.
• Knowledge and practical experience with AS9102 and Industrial Validation Documents.
• Experience with S1002s, First Article Inspection Reports, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Process Flow Diagrams, and Control Plans.
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 quality management standards.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 automotive quality management requirements.
• Knowledge of AS9100 aerospace quality management standards.
• Minitab experience for statistical analysis and data-driven decision making.
• Ability to work permanently in the United States (authorization to work in the US on a permanent basis).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Black Belt certification preferred, indicating advanced skills in process improvement and problem solving.
• Experience in the medical field preferred, particularly in environments governed by stringent regulatory and quality requirements.
• Experience working within ISO 9000 and ISO 9001 quality management frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with customers.
• Experience managing budgets and financial planning for departmental operations.
• Proven ability to design and implement onboarding, training, and development programs for technical and quality-focused teams.

This is a Permanent position based out of Deer Park, IL.

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $135000.00/yr.

5.5% 401k company Match. Everything else available upon an offer

This is a fully onsite position in Deer Park,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 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.