Process Quality Engineer
ZF · North Mankato, MN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $70k–$97k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level quality role at ZF (automotive) in North Mankato, MN.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, DMAIC, SPC, FMEA
- Base pay
- $70k–$97k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $86k–$128k. This one lists $70k–$97k.
Median of the low and high ends of 46 live postings that list pay, out of 70 quality engineer openings in Minnesota, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Minnesota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 69 other live quality postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- About 19% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $85k–$120k, from 42 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 60%
- Supplier quality 43%
- CAPA 39%
- ✓ Lean 39%
- ✓ Six Sigma 37%
- ✓ ISO 9001 36%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for DMAIC, DOE, 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 ZF
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.
This plant: ZF in North Mankato
2 other open roles at this site.
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
Full description from ZFAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Req ID 92393 | North Mankato, MN, United States ZF Off-Highway Solutions Minnesota Inc.
Job Description
About the Team
At ZF Off-Highway Solutions, our Quality department is central to our operations, driving excellence through every process. Certified in ISO 9001 and skilled in our Quality Management System (QMS), our team ensures strict quality standards are met. We proactively detect and address issues early, maintaining our reputation for delivering top-tier products.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
What you can look forward to as a Quality Engineer
- •Analyze quality data to identify trends and improvement areas.
- •Ensure compliance with quality systems and standards across product design and manufacturing.
- •Support or lead audits, including ISO, PED/PER, customer, and internal/external assessments.
- •Apply tools like Root Cause Analysis, 8D, PDCA, DMAIC, and DOE to solve quality issues.
- •Work with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to integrate customer feedback into robust manufacturing processes.
- •Use data to influence quality-related decisions with Sales, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams.
- •Lead initiatives to resolve systemic quality issues and drive sustainable improvements.
Your profile as a Quality Engineer
- •Strong foundation in QMS, ISO 9001:2015, Six Sigma, Lean, SPC, and FMEA.
- •Skilled in problem-solving techniques: 8D, Fishbone, ANOVA, PDCA, DMAIC.
- •Capable of assessing risk and implementing mitigation strategies.
- •2+ years of experience as a quality engineer.
- •Experienced in training teams on quality systems and best practices.
- •Metrology knowledge, including MSA and appropriate inspection tools.
- •Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field.
What We Offer
- •Annual Incentive Plan
- •Paid time off
- •401k Plan
- •Health Care Benefits
- •Paid Holidays
- •A supportive collaborative team environment
- •Tuition reimbursement for educational advancement
- •A strong diverse culture
- •Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities
About North Mankato
North Mankato combines small-town charm with modern amenities, a strong economy, vibrant arts scene, and recreational options. Located near Minneapolis/St. Paul, it offers excellent livability and quality of life.
Be part of our ZF team as Quality Engineer and apply now!
Contact
Gabriela Palacio
Diversity commitment
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.
With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.