The Opportunity:
Mattel is currently seeking a Quality Engineer II in El Segundo, CA. This role is a key member of the corporate Quality Engineering leadership team, reporting to the Sr. Manager of Quality Engineering . This role supports global brand teams and works cross-functionally with Product Development, Design, Packaging, Regulations, Play Labs, Quality Data Analytics, and Manufacturing partners.
The Senior Quality Engineer plays a key role throughout the product development lifecycle—from concept and design reviews through product launch and post-market support—by translating design intent into robust, risk-based quality and testing strategies. The role contributes through technical expertise, independent judgment, cross-functional influence, and mentoring.
What Your Impact Will Be:
- Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) and Primary Concerns Documents (PCDs) within eQMS systems, ensuring alignment with product safety, performance, and brand expectations
- Drive translation of product concepts, play patterns, and consumer use conditions into robust validation strategies, including mechanical, physical, chemical, and abuse testing
- Lead and influence concept and design reviews, providing expert input on safety, durability, regulatory compliance, and consumer experience
- Apply advanced working knowledge of global toy safety regulations and standards (ASTM F963, CPSIA, EN71, ISO, etc.), driving compliance across programs and ensuring clear interpretation and communication to cross-functional teams
- Lead risk management activities (e.g., FMEA), developing and executing risk-based strategies across product categories, features, and manufacturing processes
- Utilize and integrate multiple data sources (test results, consumer complaints, returns, field data, play testing) to proactively identify risks and drive product and process improvements
- Independently lead complex investigations into product failures, safety issues, and manufacturing defects using structured root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, etc.), ensuring thorough resolution and documentation
- Partner with internal labs and third-party testing facilities to define testing strategies, review complex test results, and ensure compliance with regulatory and brand requirements
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Design, Development, Packaging, Regulatory, Manufacturing) to ensure quality requirements are embedded early and effectively executed
- Identify downstream impacts, risks, and opportunities across functions and proactively drive alignment and resolution
- Lead supplier and manufacturing quality efforts, including issue resolution, corrective actions, and performance monitoring
- Mentor and support junior engineers in technical problem solving, regulatory understanding, and cross-functional engagement
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across product development, testing strategies, and manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance is maintained while improving efficiency and quality outcomes
- Support and lead investigation of consumer complaints and field issues, ensuring timely, data-driven, and effective resolution
- Periodic travel to global manufacturing sites and development partners as needed