QA Operations Quality Specialist I
Thermo Fisher Scientific · Plainville, MA
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist quality role at Thermo Fisher Scientific (pharma & life sciences) in Plainville, MA. You'll provide essential quality oversight through detailed documentation review, process monitoring, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Six Sigma, Root cause, CAPA, FDA / GMP
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Massachusetts: typical posted base $108k–$155k.
Median of the low and high ends of 51 live postings that list pay, out of 74 quality engineer openings in Massachusetts, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Massachusetts plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 73 other live quality postings in Massachusetts.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $102k–$140k, from 39 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 69%
- ✓ FDA / GMP 58%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 51%
- ✓ CAPA 49%
- ISO 13485 43%
- FMEA 38%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific
We found 7 people at this company and state: 5 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Pat → (free) - 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.
This plant: Thermo Fisher Scientific in Plainville
1 other open role at this site · 7 people we found in quality roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
- Manufacturing Supervisor, Drug Product · Manufacturing · Supervisor
Full description from Thermo Fisher ScientificAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Requirements
- ✓Bachelor's Degree required, with 1 year of experience required, preferably in a GMP manufacturing environment
- ✓Preferred Fields of Study: Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related scientific field
- ✓Additional relevant certifications (e.g. ISO auditor, Six Sigma) are advantageous
- ✓Thorough knowledge of FDA, EMA, and international GMP regulations
- ✓Proven ability to review and approve GMP documentation, batch records, and quality records
- ✓Strong understanding of quality management systems and tools (e.g. CAPA, change control)
- ✓Excellent documentation and technical writing skills
- ✓Proficiency with quality systems software and Microsoft Office applications
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail
- ✓Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- ✓Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across functions
- ✓Experience conducting quality investigations and root cause analysis
- ✓Knowledge of environmental monitoring and contamination control principles
- ✓Flexibility to work various shifts as needed to support manufacturing operations
- ✓Ability to gown and work in controlled manufacturing environments when required
- ✓Physical capability to stand, walk, and lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
- ✓Sound judgment and decision-making skills
- ✓Commitment to maintaining a quality-focused culture and driving continuous improvement
- ✓Fluency in English required; additional language skills beneficial
Benefits
We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and
innovation!
Other
Relocation assistance is not provided.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future, without sponsorship.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.
The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $26.39–$39.59.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- ✓A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- ✓Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- ✓At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- ✓Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- ✓Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
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Work Schedule
Flex 12 hr shift/days
Environmental Conditions
Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Cold Room/Freezers -22degreesF/-6degrees C, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
Description
Join our high-performing team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where you'll ensure quality compliance across manufacturing operations while advancing our mission to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. As a Quality Specialist I, you'll provide essential quality oversight through detailed documentation review, process monitoring, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. You'll help maintain GMP compliance, investigate quality events, and drive continuous improvement initiatives while working in a collaborative environment focused on delivering life-changing products to our customers.