Senior Quality Engineer

Job Description:

Business Description:

ITW Shakeproof Fasteners is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) which supplies cold headed & metal stamped fasteners totaling approximately $200M in revenue annually. Manufacturing/Warehouse locations include Watertown, WI, Milwaukee, WI, Broadview, IL, Elgin, IL, Machesney Park, IL, and Iron Ridge, WI, with a Sales, and Innovation / Strategic Marketing team primarily in Troy, Michigan. We serve major OEMs and their tier suppliers direct and through distribution channels in the automotive and industrial markets.  ITW Shakeproof Fasteners drives profitability by leveraging its innovative solutions and application engineering, allowing us to enhance our customers’ competitive advantage. Known for innovation, diversification, and excellent financial performance.   We are never, whether we know it or not, more than a few steps from an innovative ITW solution.

The Senior Quality Engineer is a divisional resource responsible supporting of quality concerns of automotive and industrial customers. This role serves as a primary customer-facing quality representative responsible for managing complex quality issues, strengthening customer relationships, and ensuring timely containment and corrective actions.

The Senior Quality Engineer will lead root cause analysis efforts, improve quality systems, and support preparation for IATF certification and customer audits. The position requires experience working with demanding customers in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and the ability to drive cross-functional problem solving across the division. Frequent travel to customer locations (primarily in the Midwest) should be expected.

The Senior Quality Engineer will be responsible for supervising two non-exempt direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary quality contact for key automotive and industrial customers, managing complaints, escalations, and resolution activities.

• Lead customer communication, reporting, and onsite visits to strengthen relationships and ensure alignment with expectations.

• Manage challenging customer situations by ensuring rapid containment, structured root cause investigation, and sustainable corrective actions.

• Facilitate cross-functional root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and statistical analysis.

• Lead corrective action implementation and effectiveness verification across operations and coordinate with sister plants when systemic issues arise.

• Drive improvements in containment processes and corrective action systems to reduce recurrence of quality issues.

• Support and lead initiatives to improve and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).

• Lead and support IATF 16949 audit readiness, internal audits, and customer audits.

• Report on QMS performance, quality metrics, and improvement initiatives during Management Reviews and recommend improvements.

• Participate in APQP activities for new product development and launches including PFMEA, Control Plans, and Process Flows.

• Interface with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure robust product and process quality during launches.

• Drive cost improvement, productivity, and quality initiatives including Six Sigma, SPC, and Lean Manufacturing tools.

• Analyze quality data and trends to identify preventive improvements and process optimization opportunities.

• Work closely with engineering and operations to improve process capability and defect prevention.

• Develop technical knowledge of fastener products, manufacturing processes, and application requirements.

• Support technical discussions with engineering teams and customers regarding product performance and application issues.

• Provide technical guidance for manufacturing and product design improvements.

• Coordinate with customers, suppliers, engineering, manufacturing, and sales to resolve complex quality issues.

• Mentor quality technicians and production teams on quality practices and problem solving.

• Maintain quality records and ensure compliance with quality, environmental, and safety requirements.

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent experience.

• Five or more years of quality engineering experience, preferably in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.

• Experience in customer-facing quality roles managing complex customer concerns.

• Strong experience with root cause and corrective action methodologies such as 8D and 5 Why.

• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 quality systems.

• Experience managing automotive customer portals and customer-specific requirements (Ford, GM, Stellantis, etc.).

• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in fastener manufacturing or metal forming processes.

• Experience supporting IATF 16949 audits and automotive customer requirements.

• Certification or experience in Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or statistical process control.

• Experience with cross-plant quality improvement initiatives.

Compensation Information:

$110,000 - $120,000

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.