Quality Control Engineer

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.

Job Summary

The Quality Control Engineer is responsible for ensuring that waterworks and fire protection products meet defined quality, performance, and compliance standards throughout their lifecycle. This role focuses on inspection planning, validation, testing, and problem resolution to ensure products conform to applicable municipal, industry, and customer requirements. The engineer will work closely with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to maintain product integrity, support approvals, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control processes and inspection criteria for waterworks and fire protection products.
• Ensure products comply with applicable municipal, industry, and regulatory standards and specifications, supporting approvals for use in various jurisdictions.
• Review and interpret technical specifications, drawings, and standards to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and test requirements.
• Conduct and support product inspections, audits, and testing activities, including first article inspections, in-process checks, and final product validation.
• Investigate nonconformances, root causes, and field issues; lead corrective and preventive action and verify effectiveness of solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve product robustness, manufacturability, and consistency.
• Support product testing, qualification, and validation efforts, including documentation and reporting of results.
• Assist with development and maintenance of inspection plans, control plans, quality documentation, and product-specific technical files.
• Participate in supplier quality activities, including evaluations, audits, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal teams regarding quality requirements, inspection methods, and compliance expectations.
• Track quality-related metrics and trends, reporting findings and recommendations to management.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving product quality, reducing defects, and enhancing efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering or quality control, preferably within waterworks, fire protection, or related industrial products.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, inspection methods, and specification management.
• Experience with testing, inspection, validation, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Familiarity with quality and regulatory standards (e.g., ISO, ASTM, AWWA, UL/FM).
• Proficiency in CAD software (Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD) for drawing review and basic evaluation.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and external agencies.

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence.  Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.

None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

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