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Sr. Quality Engineer – Dolls

Mattel · El Segundo, CA

Apply on Mattel ↗
Level
Senior
Team
Quality
Degree
Required
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
5 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior quality role at Mattel (industrial) in El Segundo, CA.

They ask for
5+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Root cause, FMEA, Minitab, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Quality Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $100k–$149k.

Median of the low and high ends of 102 live postings that list pay, out of 202 quality engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 201 other live quality postings in California.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $100k–$149k, from 100 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Typical (5+ years)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 78%
  • ✓ FMEA 53%
  • Supplier quality 46%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 45%
  • AS9100 42%
  • ISO 9001 36%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Mattel

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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 did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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.

This plant: Mattel in El Segundo

2 other open roles at this site.

Full description from MattelAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

are embedded early and effectively executed.

  • ✓Identify downstream impacts, risks, and opportunities across functions and proactively drive alignment and resolution.
  • ✓Lead supplier and manufacturing quality efforts, including issue resolution, corrective actions, and performance monitoring.
  • ✓Mentor and support junior engineers in technical problem solving, regulatory understanding, and cross-functional engagement.
  • ✓Lead continuous improvement initiatives across product development, testing strategies, and manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance is maintained while improving efficiency and quality outcomes.
  • ✓Support and lead investigation of consumer complaints and field issues, ensuring timely, data-driven, and effective resolution.
  • ✓Periodic travel to global manufacturing sites and development partners as needed
Show full description ↓

The Opportunity

Mattel is currently seeking a Sr. Quality Engineer in El Segundo, CA. This role is a key member of the corporate Quality Engineering leadership team, reporting to the Sr. Manager of Quality Engineering - Dolls. This role supports global brand teams and works cross-functionally with Product Development, Design, Packaging, Regulations, Play Labs, Quality Data Analytics, and Manufacturing partners.

The Senior Quality Engineer plays a key role throughout the product development lifecycle—from concept and design reviews through product launch and post-market support—by translating design intent into robust, risk-based quality and testing strategies. The role contributes through technical expertise, independent judgment, cross-functional influence, and mentoring.

What Your Impact Will Be

  • •Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) and Primary Concerns Documents (PCDs) within eQMS systems, ensuring alignment with product safety, performance, and brand expectations.
  • •Drive translation of product concepts, play patterns, and consumer use conditions into robust validation strategies, including mechanical, physical, chemical, and abuse testing.
  • •Lead and influence concept and design reviews, providing expert input on safety, durability, regulatory compliance, and consumer experience.
  • •Apply advanced working knowledge of global toy safety regulations and standards (ASTM F963, CPSIA, EN71, ISO, etc.), driving compliance across programs and ensuring clear interpretation and communication to cross-functional teams.
  • •Lead risk management activities (e.g., FMEA), developing and executing risk-based strategies across product categories, features, and manufacturing processes.
  • •Utilize and integrate multiple data sources (test results, consumer complaints, returns, field data, play testing) to proactively identify risks and drive product and process improvements.
  • •Independently lead complex investigations into product failures, safety issues, and manufacturing defects using structured root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, etc.), ensuring thorough resolution and documentation.
  • •Partner with internal labs and third-party testing facilities to define testing strategies, review complex test results, and ensure compliance with regulatory and brand requirements.
  • •Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Design, Development, Packaging, Regulatory, Manufacturing) to ensure quality

What We’re Looking For

  • •Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • •5+ years of experience in quality engineering, product development, or manufacturing (toy or consumer products industry preferred)..
  • •Deep knowledge of global toy safety standards and regulations (ASTM F963, CPSIA, EN71, etc.).
  • •Experience working with internal labs and third-party testing laboratories.
  • •Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (plastics, textiles, electronics, packaging).
  • •Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality documentation.
  • •Advanced knowledge of statistical analysis and data interpretation.
  • •Experience leading risk management activities (FMEA) and root cause analysis.
  • •Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with statistical tools (e.g., Minitab) preferred.
  • •Strong leadership and collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • •Advanced ability to interpret and apply global toy safety and consumer product regulations.
  • •Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently drive complex decisions.
  • •Ability to determine, analyze, and synthesize multiple data sources into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
  • •Proven ability to lead investigations, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • •Strong attention to detail with the ability to balance technical depth and business impact.
  • •Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly.
  • •Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • •Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop less experienced engineers.
  • •Proactive, results-oriented mindset with strong ownership and accountability.
  • •Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

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