Job Description
Job Description
Job Opening: Quality Engineer
Location: Marlboro, MA
Role Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer to work collaboratively with manufacturing in a high-mix optical component and assembly environment. The Quality Engineer will be actively involved in inspection, problem-solving, documentation review, and real-time support of manufacturing.
The ideal candidate is comfortable rolling up their sleeves-working with parts, drawings, travelers, and operators-while also owning root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement. This role requires judgment, flexibility, and curiosity, not just process enforcement.
Key Responsibilities
- Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor, supporting production and inspection activities
- Actively investigate quality issues at the source: handling parts, reviewing builds, and observing processes
- Own product quality for optical components and assemblies from incoming through final acceptance
- Ensure contract conformity by reviewing customer requirements, drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria
- Create, review, and improve hands-on quality documentation (inspection plans, travelers, checklists)
- Lead root cause analysis and implement practical, floor-level corrective actions
- Support and mentor QC technicians and operators on quality expectations and best practices
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain to improve yield and reduce rework
- Participate directly in audits and customer quality discussions
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Optical, Manufacturing, or related) or equivalent practical experience
- 3+ years in a hands-on quality role within optics, photonics, or precision manufacturing
- Demonstrated experience working directly with manufacturing teams and physical product
- Strong ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria
- Working knowledge of root cause and corrective action methods
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in optical component manufacturing (coatings, alignment, precision assembly, metrology)
- Background in high-mix production environments
- Experience operating in a ISO 9001 or similar quality systems, applied pragmatically
- Comfort operating in environments where processes are evolving
Other: Headwall is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We are an official Affirmative Action Program employer. Headwall encourages any United States citizen and others who are authorized to work in the United States to apply for these positions. Due to export restrictions, the candidate must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident.
No agencies, please.