Quality Engineer (51505)

Salary Range $80,000.00 - $93,000.00 Salary/year

Position Type Full Time

Education Level 4 Year Degree

Category Engineering

Description

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Why work here

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

Position Summary:

The Quality Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality systems that ensure products and manufacturing processes meet internal, customer, and regulatory requirements. This role works cross‑functionally with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality management to drive product reliability, ensure compliance, and support continuous improvement initiatives. The Quality Engineer will also conduct risk management activities, lead investigations, and contribute technical expertise to both new product development and sustaining engineering efforts.

If you like being a part of building something, this is your opportunity to help us build our Quality Management System from the ground up!

The candidate will be working in a manufacturing facility that produces liquid coolant distribution units and HVAC systems and components including but not limited to: enthalpy & sensible plate heat exchangers, energy recovery wheels, gas and electric heaters, hot water coils, cold water coils, DX coils, filter racks, control dampers, fan array systems, coolant distribution units, etc.

Key Responsibilities:

Product & Process Quality

• Write Work Instructions for manufacturing processes.

• Develop inspection protocols.

• Develop and maintain quality standards for manufacturing and material processing.

• Conduct quality assurance testing, statistical analyses, process validations, and risk management deliverables (e.g., PFMEA).

• Lead and implement process control and monitoring of CTQ (Critical‑to‑Quality) parameters.

• Support creation and approval of product performance specifications, engineering drawings, work instructions, and test methods.

• Execute Design Verification, Design Validation, Process Characterization, and Process Validation activities.

Nonconformance & CAPA

• Evaluate and disposition nonconformance reports (NCRs) for product and material issues.

• Lead Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), root cause investigations, and monitor implementation effectiveness.

• Support complaint investigations, field action assessments, and post‑market root cause analysis.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Perform data analysis to identify trends, quality signals, FPY/scrap metrics, and emerging risks.

• Provide quality metric reporting and support data analytics for continuous improvement.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Quality System Regulations, ISO 9001, and internal policies.

• Participate in audit preparation and audit activities and assess system/process adherence to standards.

New Product Development & Cross‑Functional Support

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate quality into new product development.

• Lead or participate as a Quality representative on project teams.

• Implement quality methodologies including DOE, Gage R&R, Process Capability, and Lean tools.

• Support preventive quality initiatives and workstation vulnerability assessments.

Supplier Quality (as applicable)

• Assess supplier processes, conduct audits, and support incoming material quality.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Required:

• Experience working in an ISO 9001 manufacturing environment (or advanced ISO certifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent technical experience.

• 1 or more years of engineering or quality‑related experience.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work in a fast‑paced team environment.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Preferred:

• Experience in HVAC or Data Center technologies

• Experience with statistical tools, Power BI, DMAIC methodology, DOE, and measurement system analysis (MSA).

• Experience with supplier quality, nonconforming material processes, and factory acceptance testing.

• Demonstrated leadership, change management, and problem‑solving capabilities.

Key Competencies:

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and attention to small details

• Must work well in a team setting and have great verbal and written communication skills

• Organizational skills

• Efficient with time management

• Critical thinker / Problem Solver / Curious / Self-motivated learner

• Good attitude and motivated personality are key in this role

• Solution focused mindset when faced with production challenges

What This Role Offers

• Hands‑on experience with air handling and liquid cooling technologies

• Opportunities to directly impact product quality and drive continuous improvement.

• Exposure to cross‑functional collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.

• A strong foundation for professional growth within a rapidly expanding market.

Benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Group term life insurance coverage

• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available

• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy

• 401k matching

• Company paid events

• Annual safety shoe allowance

• Education assistance program

EEO Statement:

Gradian is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.

Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.