IQC Associate Engineer

Job Description

IQC Associate Engineer

Illuminate USA, located in the heart of Central Ohio, is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,600 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels, we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

Job Summary:

The IQC Associate Engineer is responsible for supporting incoming quality control activities for solar module raw materials and ensuring that all incoming materials meet engineering specifications, quality standards, and inspection criteria. The engineer will work closely with SQE, Process Engineering, Production, and suppliers to identify material quality issues, perform data analysis, and drive continuous quality improvement.
This position requires frequent travel to supplier locations, including Southeast Asia and other key supplier sites, to conduct pre-shipment quality verification, product inspections, testing-method verification and periodic supplier quality assessments.

The engineer will also support the implementation and verification of material testing capabilities at Illuminate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Incoming Inspection & Equipment Operation

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and material standards.
• Read operating manuals and correctly operate IQC inspection and testing equipment.
• Perform troubleshooting and basic maintenance of inspection equipment to ensure measurement accuracy and equipment uptime.
• Create, update, and maintain SOPs, Work Instructions, and Control Plans related to IQC activities.
• Understand inspection criteria and acceptance standards for solar module raw materials.
• Clearly document inspection findings and escalate quality issues as required.
• Create, update, and maintain SPC control charts for incoming material characteristics.
• Perform trend analysis and monitor material quality performance over time.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) using structured problem-solving tools and support corrective actions.
• Monitor raw material quality issues impacting production lines, investigate root causes, and work closely with SQE, Process Engineering, and Production teams to resolve issues.
• Conduct frequent supplier-site travel, including travel to Southeast Asia and other key supplier locations, to perform pre-shipment verification, product quality inspections, testing method verification and periodic supplier quality assessments.
• Support and implement material testing capabilities at Illuminate, including equipment training, testing-method validation, and periodic verification of supplier testing methods and quality data.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Associate degree or above (major in Engineering, Materials, Mechanical, Electrical, or related fields preferred).

Technical Skills

• Ability to read engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Hands-on experience with inspection and measurement equipment (e.g., calipers, micrometers, gauges, and testing instruments).
• Basic knowledge of SPC, quality tools, and data analysis methods.
• Familiarity with SOPs, Work Instructions, and Control Plans.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of quality and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Other Requirements:

• Should have a current valid passport or the ability to obtain one

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.