Quality Assurance Specialist

About the role

The Quality Assurance Specialist plays a proactive, technical, and collaborative role in ensuring GILLIG buses meet stringent standards of quality, reliability, and safety. Building upon the foundation of Quality Control, this position focuses on Right First Time (RFT) performance, eliminating repetitive defects, and driving permanent corrective actions that enhance customer satisfaction. The QA Specialist acts as a key link between production data, engineering standards, and customer expectations, ensuring continuous improvement in manufacturing quality and long-term product performance. This position reports directly to the Quality Supervisor. IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL Evaluate and monitor manufacturing and inspection processes to verify compliance with GILLIG Quality Standards, Engineering drawings, and customer specifications Lead Right First Time (RFT) improvement activities, identifying repetitive issues, performing thorough root cause analysis, and implementing sustainable corrective actions Collaborate proactively with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to embed preventive measures and process improvements that directly enhance customer experience Review quality data, defect trends, and production KPIs to identify systemic issues and drive proactive improvement initiatives Validate the effectiveness of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to ensure long-term sustainability of solutions Develop and maintain quality checklists, control plans, and process standards that strengthen assurance practices across production areas Train and mentor production and inspection personnel on RFT principles, defect prevention, and quality accountability Support internal and external readiness for compliance, customer, and regulatory audits Build and maintain quality dashboards and KPI reports using Salesforce, ERP (Syteline), and Microsoft Office tools to improve visibility of quality performance Lead or participate in cross-functional continuous improvement projects such as Lean, 5S, and Value Stream Mapping to reduce waste and enhance efficiency Collaborate with Field Service and Customer Support teams to analyze feedback, ensuring that manufacturing improvements translate to measurable gains in customer satisfaction Partner with the Quality Manager to communicate key findings, RFT performance, and customer-impact metrics to senior leadership

Requirements

• High School Diploma (required); Associates or Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
• 3+ years of Quality Assurance or Quality Control experience in heavy vehicle or complex manufacturing environments
• Proven experience in root cause analysis, 8D problem-solving, and implementing permanent corrective actions
• Familiarity with Right First Time (RFT), CAPA, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications
• Experience using ERP systems (Syteline preferred), Salesforce, or other digital quality management tools
• Strong analytical, technical, and reporting skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) or equivalent certification preferred
• WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk and occasionally kneel or squat
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonab

Benefits

Additional Information

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation. GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA. DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW The Quality Department ensures every GILLIG bus meets and exceeds the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction. We partner with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Field Service to uphold internal and external quality requirements, enabling superior customer experience from factory delivery through the entire service life of the vehicle WHY GILLIG Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture Stable, successful, and growing organization - a Bay Area business for over 132 years! Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs) Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits

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