The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring product quality throughout new product introduction (NPI), industrialization, and ongoing manufacturing operations. Working closely with Manufacturing Engineers, Design Engineering, suppliers, and cross-functional partners, this role establishes quality systems, drives risk mitigation, supports product launches, investigates quality issues, and leads continuous improvement activities to ensure predictable product quality and customer satisfaction.
How You Make a Difference
NPI & Quality Planning
- Lead quality engineering activities for assigned NPI projects from concept validation through production release.
- Establish and maintain quality planning activities including inspection plans, validation requirements, process controls, and production readiness criteria.
- Facilitate quality planning tools including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, QCPs, PPAP documentation, MSA, and related quality deliverables.
- Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and suppliers to identify, assess, and mitigate quality risks before production launch.
Quality Assurance & Audits
- Conduct process, product, and quality system audits to verify compliance with Specialized quality requirements and industry standards.
- Validate measurement systems, inspection methods, and production controls to ensure reliable product evaluation and process capability.
- Support implementation and enforcement of effective quality systems, validation processes, and procedural documentation.
Problem Solving & Corrective Action
- Lead investigations of quality issues during NPI builds and production using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, PDCA, DMAIC, or equivalent approaches.
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions related to manufacturing, supplier, and field quality concerns.
- Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
Supplier Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor supplier quality performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve capability, quality, and consistency.
- Partner with suppliers to strengthen manufacturing processes and long-term quality performance.
- Recommend and support quality improvement projects based on data analysis and risk assessment.
Cross-functional Support
- Support engineering change implementation and quality impact assessment for product and process changes.
- Communicate quality risks, validation results, and readiness status to project teams and leadership.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations teams to support timely product launches and production continuity.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 8 years of manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years in quality engineering, supplier quality, or related functions.
- Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), industrialization, production launch, or supplier quality activities in a manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience with quality planning, risk management, and problem-solving methodologies such as PFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP, 8D, PDCA, DMAIC, or equivalent.
- Experience conducting process and quality system audits, with working knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or equivalent standards.
- Working knowledge of metrology, GD&T, measurement systems, and manufacturing processes related to assembly or component production.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Strong communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills with professional proficiency in English.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
- At least 8 years of manufacturing experience.
- At least 3 years of experience in quality engineering, supplier quality, or related functions.
- Experience supporting new product introduction, industrialization, production launch, or supplier quality activities in a manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP, 8D, PDCA, DMAIC, or equivalent quality planning and problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience conducting process and quality system audits, with working knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or equivalent standards.
- Working knowledge of metrology, GD&T, measurement systems, and manufacturing processes related to assembly or component production.
- Ability to collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Strong communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills with professional proficiency in English.
Specialized Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Specialized and has not been reviewed or approved by Specialized.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Fidelity offers up to $5,000 in annual employer matching with immediate vesting, and the company covers plan administrative fees for active employees. This provides strong retirement support within the total package.
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Parental & Family Support — Published materials describe 6–8 weeks at 100% pay for birthing recovery and 8 weeks of fully paid parental bonding, alongside fertility benefits and adoption assistance. Some materials indicate certain roles or locations may offer even longer fully paid leave.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Cycling‑centric perks include substantial gear discounts, race entry fee support, on‑site fitness options, healthy on‑site meals, an employee bike service center, and a dog‑friendly HQ. These benefits can meaningfully enhance day‑to‑day experience for those who value the cycling culture.
Specialized Insights
What We Do
Founded on the principle of performance and fueled by innovation, our focus on the rider and their needs is our constant. From seasoned pros and weekend warriors, to kids and commuters—if you ride, we’re for you. The passion we have for sharing our love of bikes with the world can be seen in those who choose to work here. Headquartered in Morgan Hill, CA, the passionate and creative teammates at Specialized have designed and manufactured the world's most innovative bikes and gear since 1974. Are you ready to join our team and help pedal the planet forward?
