PEPL, INC., is seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer for a client in Lavonia, GA. You'll drive process and product quality across textile operations, including yarn preparation, twisting, beaming, weaving, fabric treatment, and finishing. You'll work closely with Production, Maintenance, Technical, Quality, and lab teams. This role reports to the Quality Engineering Director and has no direct reports.

What You'll Do

Process & Quality Improvement

Find and reduce sources of process variation, defects, scrap, rework, waste, and downtime
Use engineering principles and manufacturing data to prioritize continuous improvement and cost-reduction opportunities
Develop process controls, inspection methods, quality checkpoints, and standardized practices
Conduct process audits and floor assessments to verify adherence to procedures and product requirements

Problem Solving & Data Analysis

Lead investigations of manufacturing issues, nonconformances, and customer concerns using root cause analysis, 5 Why, fishbone, and 8D
Implement corrective and preventive actions, then verify they are effective and sustained
Analyze data with SPC, Pareto, trend, and process capability analysis
Track KPIs, including scrap, rework, nonconformances, complaints, and capability, and recommend actions to plant leadership

Product Validation & Change Management

Coordinate with lab personnel so testing is completed, documented, and evaluated against specifications and customer requirements
Investigate out-of-specification results and translate findings into manufacturing actions
Plan and run trials for new products, materials, equipment, and processes, including defining objectives and acceptance criteria
Support Engineering Change Management and Management of Change (MOC)
Develop product specifications, acceptance criteria, and lab testing practices

Quality Systems, Customers & Suppliers

Manage nonconforming material: identification, segregation, containment, disposition, and customer concessions or deviations
Support the facility QMS, including documentation, internal audits, calibration, change control, and external or customer audits
Investigate customer complaints and supplier quality issues with Procurement and suppliers to improve incoming material quality
Collaborate with other facilities on product quality and performance concerns

Training & Safety

Train manufacturing and lab personnel on quality standards, inspection requirements, process controls, and problem-solving methods
Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
Take part in safety inspections and audits, and handle lab chemicals according to established procedures

What You Bring

Bachelor's in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent manufacturing experience
Experience in quality, process, or manufacturing engineering, or in continuous improvement
Proven root cause analysis and sustainable corrective action experience
Ability to interpret specifications, test data, technical documentation, and quality standards
Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and communication skills
Ability to work across functions and influence without direct authority
Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities
Valid driver's license and passport

Nice to Have

Experience in textiles, rubber, coatings, chemical processing, converting, or other continuous/process manufacturing
Knowledge of textile fibers, yarns, fabric construction, and coatings or treatments, and how material properties affect product performance
SPC, DOE, FMEA, Lean, or Six Sigma experience
Experience with ECRs, MOC, product or process validation, and manufacturing trials
Physical or chemical materials testing experience
ISO 9001 or comparable QMS experience, including internal auditing
Understanding of Cost of Quality (scrap, rework, internal and external failure costs)
Strong Excel skills for data analysis and reporting
ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Green Belt, or equivalent certification

Work Environment

The role combines office and plant floor work, with exposure to mechanical and chemical hazards, noise, dust, fumes, humidity, and vibration
It requires frequent manual dexterity, good visual acuity, and use of hand tools
PPE and compliance with safety regulations are required
Overnight travel is 15–30%, and you may need to provide technical support outside normal hours for significant issues