Quality Technician
Sterling Engineering Inc. · St Charles, MD
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $73k–$83k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level quality role at Sterling Engineering Inc. (industrial) in St Charles, MD. Perform incoming, in-process, and final product inspections to verify compliance with engineering drawings and customer specifications.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SPC, FMEA, Control plans
- Base pay
- $73k–$83k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $50k–$70k. This one lists $73k–$83k.
Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 502 quality technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Maryland plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 548 other live quality postings in the US.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 3+)
Typical $64k–$90k, from 44 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 40%
- ✓ Root cause 33%
- FDA / GMP 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, FMEA, Control plans, IATF 16949, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Sterling Engineering Inc.
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Sterling Engineering Inc.As posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Perform incoming, in-process, and final product inspections to verify compliance with engineering drawings and customer specifications.
- ◆Utilize precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and other inspection tools.
- ◆Document inspection results and maintain accurate quality records and reports.
- ◆Issue and track Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), Quality Alerts, and corrective actions through resolution.
- ◆Support root cause investigations using quality tools and problem-solving methodologies.
- ◆Conduct Layered Process Audits (LPAs), product audits, ESD audits, and process compliance audits.
- ◆Ensure manufacturing processes comply with work instructions, control plans, FMEAs, operating procedures, and quality standards.
- ◆Support Quality Management System (QMS)
requirements
in accordance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.
- ✓Assist with calibration and maintenance of inspection and testing equipment.
- ✓Partner with Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- ✓Generate and maintain quality documentation including inspection reports, work instructions, control charts, and quality alerts.
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, or a related technical field preferred.
- ✓Minimum of 2 years of Quality Technician or Quality Inspector experience within an automotive manufacturing environment.
- ✓At least 2 years of experience conducting Layered Process Audits (LPAs).
- ✓Working knowledge of AIAG Core Tools including FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and Root Cause Analysis.
- ✓Experience performing product inspections, process audits, and maintaining quality documentation.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, schematics, and technical specifications.
- ✓Experience using precision measuring and testing equipment.
- ✓Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- ✓Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
Job Description Quality Technician
Location : St. Charles, IL 60174
Shift/Schedule : On-site | Monday–Friday
Pay : $35.00-$40.00/hour ($72,800-$83,200 annually)
Hire Type : Direct Hire
Benefits : A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401(k) plan.
Sterling Engineering is partnering with a global automotive electronics manufacturer to hire a Quality Technician. This position supports quality assurance activities in a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment by performing inspections, conducting audits, supporting root cause investigations, and ensuring compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer quality requirements.
Preferred Skills
- +ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) certification or willingness to obtain.
- +Experience with automotive electronics, PCB assemblies, electrical systems, or mechatronics.
- +Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- +Experience with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 quality systems.
- +Familiarity with ESD audits, 8D problem solving, 5 Whys, SPC, and Control Plans.