Quality Engineer

Be yourself at Protolabs 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 

Why Protolabs? 

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

As a Quality Engineer at our Brooklyn Park facility you will be primarily responsible for reviewing purchase orders and contracts. Additionally, you will work within project teams to establish and implement systems that ensure product compliance with requirements. The Quality Engineer will identify issues, engage in problem investigations, and collaborate to design and implement effective solutions. This role also involves participation in engineering continuous improvement project teams, ensuring that robust process controls are designed and implemented.

• Participate in detailed investigations and the execution of corrective and preventive actions related to internal processes, vendor issues, and audit findings.
• Investigate customer complaints to identify root causes and recommend appropriate corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Offer Quality Assurance technical expertise to support manufacturing, identify issues, and analyze the costs of poor quality.
• Support collaboration with the Engineering team to define manufacturing processes, assess process capability, identify sources of variation, implement effective control plans, and establish feedback mechanisms.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing data, conducting Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), and participating in kaizen events and lean manufacturing activities.
• Support product line transfers and the introduction of new processes.
• Support the audit and qualification of new suppliers and resolve any supplier quality issues.
• Support internal audits of the Quality System and assist with external audits as required.
• Support projects of varying scopes and complexity.
• Complete additional tasks as assigned.

• Familiarity with Quality System Standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13458.
• Knowledge of PPAPs, FAI, and GD&T.
• Proficient in using various measuring tools, including calipers, micrometers, pins, and gauges.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to apply statistics to industrial practices.
• Proficiency in communicating complex technical information across all organizational levels, with the ability to write technical procedures and work instructions.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical), Physical Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Understanding of quality systems and practices in a manufacturing environment.

• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities.  Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status.  Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.