Manufacturing Quality Engineer PepperBall Lake Forest, IL Job Details Full-time $100,000 - $115,000 a year 3 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance 401(k) matching Qualifications Statistics Six Sigma Black Belt Measurement-based inspection Production data analysis Defect resolution root cause analysis Six Sigma Green Belt Quality control statistical data analysis Statistical Process Control Manufacturing facility experience Statistical analysis Bachelor's degree in engineering Bachelor's degree Team training Training machine operators Collaboration with manufacturing teams Manufacturing engineering Factory experience Full Job Description About PepperBall PepperBall is the leader in non-lethal protection solutions, trusted by law enforcement, corrections, security, and government agencies worldwide. Our launchers and projectiles give officers and agencies a safer way to de-escalate and resolve dangerous situations. When our products leave the factory, lives depend on them working exactly as designed — every projectile, every launcher, every time. Quality isn't a department here; it's the reason customers trust us. Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Quality Engineer to strengthen and standardize how we test, accept, and build our projectiles. This role owns the review and improvement of our production test procedures, replaces subjective accept/reject judgments with objective, measurable criteria, and leads operator training so every team member tests and inspects to the same standard. Beyond the test bench, this engineer will drive scrap reduction and workflow improvements across the production floor. This is a high-visibility, hands-on role for someone who wants to own outcomes, not just write reports. Key Responsibilities Test Procedure Ownership Review, revise, and maintain all production test procedures for projectiles. Identify gaps, redundancies, and outdated methods; drive procedures to current best practice Validate test methods to ensure they reliably detect the defects that matter Objective Acceptance Criteria Eliminate subjectivity from accept/reject decisions by defining measurable, documented acceptance criteria Conduct measurement systems analysis (gage R&R, attribute agreement analysis) to verify that inspections are repeatable and reproducible across operators and shifts Develop visual standards, boundary samples, and inspection aids where visual criteria are unavoidable Operator Training Design, deliver, and maintain a structured training and certification program for production and test operators Establish competency verification so operators are qualified before performing tests independently Retrain and re-qualify operators when procedures change or performance data indicates a need Scrap Reduction Analyze scrap and rework data to identify top cost drivers Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions (8D, 5-Why, fishbone) to eliminate recurring defects Establish and report scrap metrics; set and drive reduction targets Workflow & Process Improvement Evaluate production floor workflow, material flow, and line balance; recommend and implement improvements Apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, handling, and cycle time Partner with production supervisors to implement standard work Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality, or related field) 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment Hands-on experience with measurement systems analysis, including gage R&R and/or attribute agreement analysis Demonstrated success developing or improving test/inspection procedures and acceptance criteria Working knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and root cause analysis tools Experience training and qualifying production personnel Strong communication skills and the floor presence to earn buy-in from operators, supervisors, and leadership Preferred Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Experience in a regulated or safety-critical manufacturing environment (defense, aerospace, medical device, ammunition/energetics, or similar) Familiarity with

ISO 9001

quality management systems Lean manufacturing training or certification Experience with pneumatic devices, projectiles, or chemical formulation/filling processes What Success Looks Like in Year One All production test procedures reviewed, updated, and under document control Accept/reject criteria objective and verified through measurement systems analysis, with inspection agreement across operators demonstrably improved Operator training and certification program launched, with all current operators qualified Measurable reduction in scrap rate against baseline At least one significant workflow improvement implemented on the production floor

Equal Opportunity Employer:

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a physical / drug test.

Pay:

$100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Manufacturing engineering: 3 years (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Lake Forest, IL 60045 (Required)

Work Location:

In person