Quality Manufacturing Engineer

WET Design

$90K — $120K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience in quality engineering within complex manufacturing environments
  • Proven experience building, implementing, and improving QMS and quality frameworks
  • Strong hands-on expertise with precision measurement tools and inspection techniques
  • Direct experience with CMM and/or FARO Arm; PC-DMIS or similar software preferred
  • Deep understanding of GD&T, tolerancing, and inspection planning
  • Strong root cause analysis skills with a bias toward practical, sustainable solutions

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate, select, and implement scalable Quality Management Systems (QMS) for a custom manufacturing environment
  • Establish and maintain core quality processes including control plans and inspection strategies
  • Build and refine inspection frameworks that support prototype and production-level work
  • Perform inspections across incoming, in-process, and final assemblies
  • Develop and execute CMM/FARO programs to validate complex geometries
  • Lead root cause investigations for nonconformances and implement corrective actions
  • Track and analyze quality trends, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies

Benefits

  • Opportunity to build and own quality systems from the ground up
  • Direct impact on performance standards seen by millions
  • Autonomy to define quality methodologies and standards
  • Combination of technical depth, creative challenge, and real ownership
  • Engagement in hands-on activities alongside shop floor teams
Full Job Description
Quality Manufacturing Engineer
WET (Design) - Sun Valley, CA

This is not a traditional quality role. It is an opportunity to build and own quality from the ground up.
The Opportunity

We are seeking a seasoned Quality Manufacturing Engineer to establish, lead, and continuously evolve quality systems across a highly dynamic, low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing environment. Reporting directly to the VP of Manufacturing, this role will have the autonomy and responsibility to define what "good" looks like-from inspection methodologies to quality management systems to shop-floor execution.

You will be equally comfortable architecting systems and rolling up your sleeves on the floor-working across machining, welding, sheet metal, injection molding, and final assembly (Finale) to ensure every component meets the standard required for world-class performance.

If you are someone who has built quality systems-not just maintained them-and thrives in environments where structure needs to be created, this role offers a rare level of ownership and impact.
Role Overview

The Quality Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for driving product and process quality across the full manufacturing lifecycle-from incoming materials through final assembly readiness. This role blends hands-on inspection, root cause analysis, and system-level quality engineering, ensuring that what we design can be built repeatedly, reliably, and at the highest standard.

You will serve as a key partner to Manufacturing Engineering and Production Leadership, helping translate design intent into manufacturable, inspectable, and repeatable outcomes.
What You'll Do

Quality Systems & Ownership
  • Evaluate, select, and implement scalable Quality Management Systems (QMS) appropriate for a custom, high-spec manufacturing environment
  • Establish and maintain core quality processes including control plans, PFMEAs, inspection strategies, and documentation standards
  • Build and refine inspection frameworks that support both prototype and production-level work
  • Drive continuous improvement of quality systems, ensuring they evolve with product and process complexity

Hands-On Quality Execution
  • Perform and support inspections across incoming, in-process, and final assemblies using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, optical comparators, CMM, and FARO Arm
  • Develop and execute CMM/FARO programs (PC-DMIS preferred) to validate complex geometries and tight tolerances
  • Partner directly with machinists, welders, fabricators, and assembly teams to resolve issues in real time
  • Ensure parts flowing into Finale meet fit, function, and performance requirements

Problem Solving & Process Improvement
  • Lead root cause investigations for nonconformances using structured methodologies; implement corrective and preventive actions that stick
  • Identify variation drivers across processes and work cross-functionally to improve repeatability and reliability
  • Support new product introduction through first article inspections, validation planning, and release criteria
  • Track and analyze quality trends, proactively identifying risks and driving mitigation strategies

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Manufacturing Engineers to align design intent with manufacturing capability and inspection methods
  • Partner with Production Leadership to prioritize work, remove roadblocks, and maintain flow
  • Communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams, ensuring alignment on quality expectations and outcomes
What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience in quality engineering within complex manufacturing environments
  • Proven experience building, implementing, and improving QMS and quality frameworks, not just maintaining them
  • Strong hands-on expertise with precision measurement tools and inspection techniques
  • Direct experience with CMM and/or FARO Arm; PC-DMIS or similar software preferred
  • Deep understanding of GD&T, tolerancing, and inspection planning
  • Demonstrated success working on the shop floor with machining, welding, fabrication, molding, and/or assembly teams
  • Strong root cause analysis skills with a bias toward practical, sustainable solutions
  • Excellent communication skills; able to influence across engineering, production, and leadership
Preferred Experience
  • Low-volume, high-mix or custom manufacturing environments
  • Prototype, R&D, or highly engineered product development settings
  • Experience in themed entertainment, aerospace, or other high-spec industries
  • Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies
Why WET

At WET, quality is not a checkpoint-it is embedded in everything we build. The systems you create and the standards you uphold will directly impact the performance of installations seen by millions around the world.

This role offers a rare combination of technical depth, creative challenge, and real ownership. You won't inherit a rigid system-you'll help define it. You won't be removed from the work-you'll be in it, shaping outcomes in real time.

If you're a hands-on Quality Manufacturing Engineer who wants to build, influence, and elevate quality in a truly unique manufacturing environment, we'd like to connect.

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