Quality Engineer

Employment Type: Freelance
Location: Onsite — El Segundo, CA
Assignment Dates: September 28, 2026 – July 30, 2027
Industry: Consumer Products

About the Team

The Quality Engineering team collaborates with product design, development, manufacturing, and research partners to support products that meet quality, safety, reliability, and regulatory expectations. The team uses data-driven analysis and engineering judgment to address issues from early product development through production and post-launch support.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a freelance Quality Engineer to support branded consumer product portfolios, including dolls, collectibles, and other play-focused product categories. This onsite role partners closely with quality, marketing, design, development, manufacturing, and R&D teams throughout the product lifecycle—from concept development and design validation through launch and field issue resolution.

This position reports to Quality Engineering leadership and requires regular onsite collaboration in El Segundo, California.

What You’ll Do

• Participate in concept and design reviews, advising teams on product safety, quality, regulatory compliance, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop, maintain, and improve design, engineering, and manufacturing standards using consumer insights and sound engineering principles.
• Interpret and communicate regulatory requirements applicable to consumer and children’s products.
• Identify safety and quality risks and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Create and maintain product specifications for performance, safety, reliability, and quality requirements.
• Manage quality and safety concerns across multiple product lines, manufacturing partners, and international time zones.
• Investigate product defects, conduct root-cause analysis, and coordinate corrective actions with manufacturing sources.
• Support research and quality planning for new product categories and innovative consumer products.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering team members when needed.
• Lead cross-functional quality initiatives with departmental and organizational impact.
• Travel periodically to manufacturing facilities and global product development locations.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical findings and recommendations.
• Knowledge of consumer product regulations, particularly standards relevant to toys and children’s products.
• Experience with manufacturing processes such as plastic molding, metal forming, electronic assembly, sewing, factory assembly, or consumer assembly.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to independently manage competing priorities and meet critical project deadlines.
• Comfort collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and international partners.

Experience, Education & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience in product development, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, or quality engineering environments.
• Background in consumer products, durable goods, or children’s products is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of Quality Assurance principles and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience applying Six Sigma, Lean, or comparable quality methodologies.
• Familiarity with digital modeling review and analysis tools used to evaluate product designs.
• Knowledge of quality and engineering tools including DFMEA, PFMEA, statistical analysis, risk analysis, and root-cause analysis.