Job Description

Quality Engineer – NCR / MRB

Illuminate USA, located in the heart of Central Ohio, is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,600 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels, we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

Job Summary: 

We are currently looking for a Quality NCR/MRB Engineer for our new factory in Columbus, Ohio. This position will be primarily responsible for checking actual condition of a product, process, or procedure in compliance with defined quality standards; generating reports of non-conformance; communicating non-conformance reports with relative parties and leading the disposition of non-conformance products; and initiating corrective and preventative actions to reduce the recurrence of non-conformities. Additionally, this role will serve as the administrative point person for all 8D tracking and reporting, maintaining the 8D database and driving communication of status, updates, and closures to relevant teams across the organization This position will interface internally with Production, Equipment, and Process Engineering.

Responsibilities: 

• Understand the solar industry's defect classification standards, conduct in-depth analysis of defect trends, determine acceptable quality limits, and document these criteria; guide and follow up with internal teams on product disposition.
• Manage non-conforming products, procedures, and processes to identify deviations from quality standards. Evaluate findings to determine whether materials can be reworked, repaired, or scrapped. Document quality issues in NCRs, detailing defect types, causes, and suggested resolutions. Lead MRB discussions on the disposition of defective products, coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure informed decision-making.
• Analyze defect patterns and root causes to recommend corrective actions that address immediate quality issues and preventive measures to eliminate future occurrences. This may involve updating work instructions, training the production team, or implementing new inspection techniques, with the goal of driving continuous improvement and enhancing overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Stay updated on industry regulations, internal quality guidelines, and customer expectations. Enforce compliance through audits, process reviews, and employee training sessions.
• Serve as the administrative point person for all 8D tracking and reporting, maintaining the 8D database and driving communication of status, updates, and closures to relevant teams across the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electronics, Mechanical, Industry or Chemical) or Science (Chemistry, Physics) with at least 5 years’ working experience.
• Able to work cross functional and under pressure and communicate effectively with multiple levels within the organization.

• Experience in Solar Industry is a plus.
•  Familiar with Quality Control Plans, Process/Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (P/DFMEA) and 8D methodology.
• Experience in manufacturing operations and quality within the solar, optoelectronics, semiconductor or automotive industries.
• Adept in root cause and technical analysis to identify product defects and drive escalation of issues to quality managers and other cross-functional groups such as Production, Equipment and Process Engineering.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite; prior experience with statistical analysis software such as JMP or Minitab is a plus.

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.