Quality Engineering Leader

Job Description

Position Summary

The Quality Engineering Leader provides strategic leadership for the site Quality Management System while serving as a technical leader for product design, validation, manufacturing support, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role ensures compliance with customer, regulatory, industry, and company requirements while improving product reliability, manufacturability, operational performance, and customer satisfaction through cross-functional leadership across the product lifecycle. Salary range $80,000 - $110,000.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college (or a high school diploma/GED with at least 5 years of relevant experience)
• Minimum 7 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, quality, services, or related technical environment.
• Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001 and audit processes.
• Experience in product design, validation, and engineering documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Demonstrated ability leading cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Quality Engineering, or related technical field
• Railroad industry experience.
• Professional certifications such as Lead Auditor, CQE, or Six Sigma.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• Experience with Reliance, MES, eServices, i360, and other Wabtec supply chain quality and operational data sources
• Experience with ISO, IRIS, AAR, or other industry-specific quality standards.
• Experience using 3D CAD software (Creo preferred) and engineering document management systems.
• Familiarity with engineering analysis tools, CAD/PDM systems, industrial controls, and automated testing technologies.
• Experience leading customer, supplier, and third-party audits.
• Strong understanding of FMEA, root cause analysis, corrective action systems, statistical methods, and quality tools.

Key Competencies

• Strong customer focus, able to relay and operationalize a genuine sense of urgency
• Strong quality, compliance, and safety mindset.
• Ability to influence, collaborate, and balance customer requirements with business objectives.
• Ability to balance and prioritize multiple responsibilities; proven flexibility and resilience
• Strategic, analytical, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
• Demonstrated hands-on technical problem-solving experience
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Project management, organization, and execution skills.
• Strong computer and data analysis skills, including Excel
• Experience with welding, assembly, electrical, and test processes, including ability to interpret blueprints, drawings, and specifications

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead all elements of quality at the Albia site
• Lead root cause investigations of quality issues and containments of quality escapes; lead response to keep all stakeholders informed on progress and resolution.
• Lead and maintain the site's Quality Management System (QMS), including compliance, audits, document control, training, calibration, records management, change control, and management review processes.
• Monitor and communicate quality and operational performance metrics, using data-driven analysis to identify trends, prioritize actions, and drive business performance. (Infancy, DPU, NCMRs, CARs, Audits, Gage Calibration, Manufacturing Losses, etc.)
• Lead quality culture improvement across the site. Work with the Director of Quality, the Plant Manager, and other resources to promote a customer-focused “one team” approach to quality
• Drive operational excellence through Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, process capability, and cost performance.
• Interact with customers for quality concerns, on-site inspections, and site visits/tours
• Lead or support product design, validation, engineering documentation, risk assessments, testing, and implementation activities to ensure product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and compliance.
• Ensure launch readiness for all new product and process launches; lead Manufacturing PPAPs and FAIs for significant process changes
• Provide technical leadership for manufacturing operations, supplier quality concerns, customer complaints, product investigations, and field performance issues.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration and decision-making among Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Service, and Operations teams to support product lifecycle management, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Partner with suppliers and sourcing teams to evaluate performance, resolve quality concerns, support qualification activities, and improve supply chain effectiveness.
• Develop organizational capability through employee mentoring, performance communication, leadership engagement, and promotion of a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and mentor resources assigned to quality activities, whether they are direct or indirect reports

Typical Day

• Monitor quality, operational, and engineering performance metrics.
• Conduct audits, investigations, and problem-solving activities.
• Lead cross-functional reviews related to product quality, engineering changes, and process improvement.
• Support manufacturing operations, product validation, and customer or supplier issue resolution.
• Coach employees and communicate performance updates to leadership and stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to walk, stand, climb, bend, stoop, and lift as necessary to support manufacturing, testing, and audit activities.
• Occasional travel to customer, supplier, or project locations as required.

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Qualifications

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $79100-112800 The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
 

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

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