Quality Engineer I

Build a career powered by innovations that matter!  At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people’s lives and redefining what’s possible.  We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.  Looking for a great place to work?  You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment.  Come explore Novanta.

As a Quality Engineer within Novanta’s Robotics & Automation team, you will support the optical encoder product line, ensuring product quality, reliability, and continuous improvement across mechatronic and electronic systems. This role includes responsibility for incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities, as well as RMA analysis and resolution, driving issues through to customer closure. You will partner with cross-functional teams and suppliers to investigate quality issues, implement corrective actions, and support new product development and sustaining engineering efforts. The position requires a customer-focused approach, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to manage multiple quality initiatives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Novanta’s Robotics & Automation team develops precision motion, vision, and automation subsystems that enable OEM customers to build advanced equipment used across industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, industrial automation, electronics, and life sciences. The team focuses on high-performance technologies including multi-axis motion systems, drives and controllers, encoders, and laser-based sensing, delivering integrated solutions designed for accuracy, reliability, and repeatability. Operating within a B2B model, the group partners closely with customers to embed these components into larger systems, supporting mission-critical applications that require tight tolerances and consistent performance at scale.

Primary Responsibilities

Customer Quality

• Represent Novanta in the resolution of customer quality issues, ensuring timely communication and closure

• Lead RMA investigations and communicate findings using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys)

• Drive corrective and preventive actions to address root cause and improve product performance

• Support MRB activities and contribute to scrap reduction initiatives

• Participate in continuous improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies

Supplier Quality

• Identify and communicate supplier quality issues and drive resolution in collaboration with the Supplier Quality team

• Support supplier corrective actions and follow issues through to closure

Quality Control

• Define and implement sampling plans based on product risk

• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) and maintain product qualification documentation

New Product Introduction (NPI) Quality

• Support part qualification activities internally and within the supply chain

• Assist with transfer of products from engineering to production

• Participate in design and process risk assessments (DFMEA/PFMEA)

• Provide support for product compliance and certification requirements

Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving

Lead and facilitate root cause investigations into electronic component and PCBA failures, including field returns, internal rejects, and supplier defects. Perform detailed failure analysis of electronic PCBAs and assemblies.

Apply structured problem-solving methodologies, including:

• 8D

• DMAIC

• 5 Whys

• Ishikawa (Fishbone)

Required Experience, Education, Skills, and Competencies

• 2 years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical environment

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent experience)

• Familiarity with quality control tools, inspection processes, and basic root cause analysis methods

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, technical manuals, and schematics

• Exposure to ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 quality management systems preferred

• Bonus:   Experience CMM programming and inspection methods

Compensation and Benefits

• The base pay for this position is $65,340 to $97,700 per year depending on the geographic market.

• Dependent on the position offered, annual bonuses and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of the compensation package.

• Novanta supports all aspects of your life’s needs.  This position provides a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits to make your quality of life better.

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.