Quality Engineer - Consumer Goods

Essential Job Function:      

• Establish Quality Standards: Define and implement product quality standards and benchmarks across both soft goods and hard goods to ensure product performance and consistency.
• Factory & Supplier Quality Collaboration: Create and maintain quality control (QC) reports in collaboration with global factory and manufacturing partners, ensuring clear quality expectations and accountability.
• Incoming Sample Measurement to PPAP: Inspect and measure production samples using PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) methodologies to validate first articles and production runs.
• Testing and Evaluation: Design, create, and execute standardized testing protocols for mechanical, durability, and functional performance.
• Field Testing: Conduct field testing of products in real-world conditions to assess their performance, durability, and user experience, ensuring they meet quality and safety standards.
• Testing Equipment Use: Operate shop and lab equipment including universal testing machines, calipers, micrometers, torque testers, and force gauges for material and component validation.
• DFMEA Collaboration: Work closely with design and engineering teams to perform Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) to proactively address potential product weaknesses.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure products comply with all relevant consumer safety regulations, including Prop 65, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), and any applicable international standards.
• Non-Conformance & Root Cause Analysis: Lead investigations into quality issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed quality documentation, including test reports, inspection results, supplier scorecards, and non-conformance logs.
• Cross-Functional Support: Collaborate with product development, sourcing, and operations teams to integrate quality into every phase of the product lifecycle.
• Establish and review SOP’s with overseas vendors during Pre-Production to mitigate manufacturing defect risks.
• Review and approve mass production inspection reports from vendors to authorize purchase order (PO) shipments.
• Travel to overseas vendors for product inspections and factory audits 2 to 4 times a year

• Minimum of 2, preferably 5 years of experience in quality engineering, quality assurance, or product compliance, preferably in consumer goods, sports equipment, or fitness industries.
• Hands-on experience with PPAP, inspection tools, and mechanical testing equipment such as a universal testing machine.
• Working knowledge of Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
• Familiarity with consumer product safety standards and compliance requirements (e.g., Prop 65, CPSC).
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test data.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and capable of writing technical reports and quality documentation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with cross-functional teams and international suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications:    

• Experience working with both hard and soft goods in a consumer product or sporting goods environment.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, Six Sigma methodologies, or other quality management systems.
• Certification in Quality Engineering (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Six Sigma Green Belt).
• Experience in international supplier quality management and product sourcing.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and quality data tools such as Minitab.
• A personal or professional passion for sports, athletics, or fitness is strongly preferred.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Assurance, or a related technical discipline.

Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.