Quality Engineer

Woodstock, Illinois | Quality / Operations | Reports to: Management | Employment type: [TBC]About the roleAlubend USA does custom aluminum profile bending, forming, machining and fabrication for aerospace, defense, automotive and industrial customers. We run our business on an AI-driven ERP system and are implementing ISO 9001 at our US site. We’re looking for a hands-on Quality Engineer who is as comfortable at the surface plate as at the keyboard. You’ll inspect parts in the factory, run our audits, produce all of your own quality documentation, and use AI extensively to work faster.What you’ll doQuality systems and auditsMaintain and improve our quality management system to ISO 9001 and AS9100 requirementsPlan and carry out internal audits, and lead the site through customer and third-party certification auditsOwn nonconformance reports, root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, fishbone) and corrective and preventive actions through to closureManage document control, calibration records, traceability and supplier qualityCustomer requirements and planningReview customer inquiries, RFQs, drawings and purchase orders for quality requirements, working with estimating before we quote or accept an orderCreate quality plans, control plans, inspection plans and process FMEAs for new parts and processesPrepare and submit PPAP packagesPrepare first article inspection (FAI) reports to AS9102Manage material certificates, certificates of conformity and customer-specific requirementsHands-on inspectionWork on the shop floor every day, supporting production, signing off first-offs and in-process checks, and doing final inspectionInspect bent, formed and machined aluminum parts using the full range of measuring equipment, including:calipers, micrometers, height gauges and bore gaugesradius gauges, thread gauges and profile templateschecking fixtures and surface plate setupsVerify aluminum temper and material properties with hardness and conductivity testingProgram and run CMM inspections, or portable arm and 3D scanning inspections, where requiredDesign and validate inspection fixtures and gauging with engineeringTrain operators in inspection methods and good measurement practiceAI and digital toolsUse company-approved AI tools extensively to:draft and maintain procedures, work instructions, quality plans and audit reportsbuild FAI and PPAP documentation from drawings and inspection dataanalyze inspection data, find trends and support root cause investigationsprepare for audits by checking our records against the requirements of each standardCheck all AI output against drawings, standards and measured results before it’s releasedNever put ITAR-controlled, export-controlled or customer-confidential data into AI tools or systems that aren’t approved for itHelp build and improve the AI-driven quality workflows in our ERPWhat you’ll bringProven experience as a quality engineer in a manufacturing environmentA thorough working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100Direct experience of internal, customer and third-party certification auditsExperience preparing PPAP submissions and AS9102 first article inspection reportsExperience creating quality plans, control plans and inspection plansStrong understanding of measurement methods and of every common inspection tool, plus gauge calibration and MSA/Gauge R&RConfidence reading engineering drawings and GD&TA hands-on approach: you’re happy on the factory floor, and you produce and maintain all of your own documentationRegular, practical use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude or Copilot in a work settingUnderstanding of ITAR and export-control responsibilities, or the ability to learn them quicklyStrong Excel skills, plus experience with ERP or quality management softwareClear written and verbal communication with customers, auditors and shop-floor staffNice to haveCMM programming and operation (PC-DMIS, Calypso or similar)Portable CMM arm or 3D scanning experience, such as FARO or HexagonAluminum extrusion, bending, forming, heat treatment or machining experienceISO 9001 or AS9100 lead auditor certification, or internal auditor trainingASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)Experience with IATF 16949 or the automotive core tools (APQP, FMEA, SPC)Experience in an ITAR-registered or defense-supply environmentEligibility: This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person, defined as a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3). Successful applicants will be asked to verify U.S. person status before an offer is confirmed.Alubend USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.