Quality Engineer

Job Title : Quality Engineer – PPAP Focus

Industry : Plastics Manufacturing

Location : Elgin, IL

Duration : 2-3 Months

Compensation : $35-40 / hr

Position Overview :

Our client, a well-established manufacturer in the plastics industry, is seeking a Quality Engineer with a strong focus on PPAP (Production Part Approval Process). This role is critical to ensuring new and existing products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements. The ideal candidate will act as the primary PPAP owner, supporting new product launches, engineering changes, and ongoing production quality initiatives.

Key Responsibilities :

Serve as the primary owner of the PPAP process for new product introductions and engineering changes.

Prepare, review, and submit complete PPAP packages, including control plans, PFMEAs, DFMEAs, process flow diagrams, dimensional layouts, capability studies, and material certifications.

Act as the main quality interface with customers regarding PPAP requirements, submissions, and approvals.

Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Tooling, and Program Management to ensure PPAP readiness and on-time submission.

Support APQP activities throughout the product development lifecycle.

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions related to PPAP rejections, quality issues, or customer concerns using structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why).

Monitor and analyze process capability (Cp, Cpk) and recommend process improvements to meet customer specifications.

Assist with internal and external audits, including customer and ISO / IATF-related audits as applicable.

Maintain accurate quality documentation and ensure compliance with customer-specific and industry quality standards.

Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.

3+ years of experience in a quality role within plastics manufacturing or a related manufacturing environment.

Hands-on experience owning and submitting PPAPs; automotive or high-volume manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.