Quality Engineer
Job Description
Industry: Plastics Manufacturing
Location: Elgin, IL
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Meet Your Recruiter
Erik Butzen
Technical Recruiter
Erik Butzen is a skilled and compassionate Senior Recruiter passionate about empowering individuals to advance in their careers. With two years of dedicated service at Sterling, Erik has already significantly impacted the organization's talent acquisition efforts.
Having honed his expertise over five years in the field of recruiting, Erik possesses a deep understanding of the industry's intricacies. His journey began with the desire to assist individuals in finding opportunities that would propel their professional growth forward.
As a Senior Recruiter, Erik takes great pride in his ability to help people make meaningful advancements in their careers. Whether it's guiding a candidate through the interview process, providing valuable insights into the job market, or matching the right talent with the perfect role, Erik is committed to positively impacting the lives of those he interacts with.
One of Erik's most valuable pieces of advice to both hiring managers and fellow recruiters is to ask a lot of questions. Understanding the needs and expectations of both candidates and employers is essential to finding the best fit for both parties.