Quality Engineer

Job Title: Senior Quality Engineer (Electronics Manufacturing) Job Description This full-time, on-site Quality Engineer role in Lake Forest, CA focuses on ensuring the quality and reliability of complex electronic and electromechanical products, with a strong emphasis on Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) and electronic assemblies. You will serve as a key technical resource within the manufacturing lifecycle, driving quality systems, root cause analysis, process improvements, and inspection methodologies. Working closely with engineering, production, and quality teams, you will help maintain rigorous standards of performance and reliability for mission-critical products in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume environment. Responsibilities

- Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory expectations across all manufacturing operations.
- Perform and oversee inspections of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), electronic assemblies, and related components to verify conformance to specifications.
- Review product quality data, identify trends, and investigate nonconformances, defects, and process deviations.
- Lead structured root cause investigations and drive effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address quality issues.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams to improve product quality, reduce defects, and enhance operational performance.
- Support internal audits and process audits, and actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives within the quality management system.
- Maintain accurate and complete quality documentation, including inspection records, reports, and quality performance metrics.
- Evaluate manufacturing processes and recommend improvements that increase yield, enhance process capability, and strengthen overall product reliability.
- Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), work instructions, and quality requirements to ensure proper implementation in production.
- Utilize statistical methods and quality tools to monitor process capability, analyze quality data, and assess product performance.
- Participate in customer quality initiatives and support supplier quality activities, including audits and corrective action plans when needed.
- Promote a culture of quality excellence and continuous improvement across cross-functional teams.
- Support the implementation and maintenance of quality management systems, including documentation control and adherence to standards such as AS9100 and related industry requirements.
- Contribute to the development and execution of control plans, PFMEAs, and process validation activities to ensure robust and repeatable manufacturing processes.
- Assist in the preparation and review of quality-related documentation for regulated or high-reliability products, including PPAP and other qualification activities.

Essential Skills

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
- Quality engineering experience within electronics manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or a similar high-reliability production environment.
- Hands-on experience supporting Printed Board Circuit Assembly (PBCA/PCBA) manufacturing processes.
- Strong understanding of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) principles and practices.
- Knowledge of industry standards such as IPC and AS9100, as well as related quality systems.
- Proven experience conducting root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Ability to analyze quality data and apply statistical quality tools to monitor and improve process performance.
- Proficiency in interpreting technical drawings, specifications, BOMs, and manufacturing work instructions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings and recommendations clearly.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality management or document control systems.
- Experience with quality engineering activities such as inspection, audits, corrective action plans, PFMEA, PPAP, and supplier quality management.
- Demonstrated capability in quality management systems, including implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- IPC certification or strong working knowledge of IPC standards.
- Experience in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with corrective action systems, FMEAs, control plans, and process validation activities.
- Experience supporting regulated or high-reliability products in industries that demand stringent quality and reliability.
- Experience in supplier quality, including supplier audits and development of corrective action plans.
- Experience with AS9100-compliant quality systems and aerospace or other mission-critical applications.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a continuous improvement mindset focused on measurable results.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment to product quality and reliability.
- Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in engineering, operations, and production.
- Ability to balance hands-on quality support on the manufacturing floor with strategic quality initiatives and system-level improvements.

Work Environment This position is based on-site in Lake Forest, CA within an established electronics manufacturing facility that produces complex, high-reliability electronic and electromechanical products. You will work closely with experienced engineering, operations, and production teams in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume environment that emphasizes precision, documentation discipline, and adherence to industry standards such as IPC and AS9100. The role involves regular interaction with manufacturing processes for Printed Circuit Board Assemblies and electronic assemblies, use of inspection and test equipment, and engagement with formal quality management and document control systems. The work setting supports continuous improvement, structured problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to products used in critical applications that customers depend on.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lake Forest, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $52.00 - $55.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lake Forest, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Lake Forest,CA. 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 [email protected] 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.