Quality Engineer

Summary/Objectives

The Quality Engineer maintains quality control processes, systems and documentation for the plant. Supports the plant's quality management system to ensure compliance with automotive standards, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001 and customer-specific requirements. This role provides quality assurance support to customers, suppliers, and internal manufacturing workstations. This position is a key contributor to continuous improvement, corrective and preventative actions and work closely with all departments to ensure we produce a quality product.

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Quality Planning & Assurance

• Develop and implement quality plans, control plans, and inspection procedures
• Participate in APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) processes
• Responsible for PPAP for designated customers (Production Part Approval Process) submissions and approvals
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements

Process & Product Quality

• Monitor manufacturing processes to ensure consistent product quality
• Conduct root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone diagrams
• Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Analyze quality data and trends (scrap, rework, warranty claims)

Supplier Quality

• Evaluate supplier quality systems
• Address supplier quality issues and drive corrective actions
• Support incoming inspection and supplier PPAP approval

Customer Interface

• Act as primary contact for customer quality concerns
• Manage customer complaints, return, and warranty issues
• Lead problem resolution and containment actions

Continuous Improvement

• Lead or participate in Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives
• Identify process improvement opportunities to reduce defects and waste
• Support cost reduction and efficiency improvement efforts

Audits & Compliance

• Manage our LPA and Process Audit system
• Conduct internal audits and support external/customer audits
• Ensure documentation and quality records are maintained
• Verify compliance with regulatory and safety standards

What Success Looks Like

• Continual reduction in customer complaint occurrence and PPM
• Customer and supplier quality issues are resolved quickly and effectively
• Quality systems remain compliant with applicable standards (ISO 9001 and IATF 16949)
• Continuous improvement initiatives result in measurable quality improvements
• Documentation and audit are accurate, complete and timely
• Strong collaboration is demonstrated across manufacturing and quality teams
• Quality metrics show sustained improvement in key performance indicators
• Completion of tasks within an agreed timeframe.

Position Profile:

• Customer-focused mindset
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to zero-defect mindset.
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Effective communication across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced automotive environment.
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering from an accredited institution required.
• 3 years of experience in automotive manufacturing or a quality role preferred.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and Control Plans.
• Experience with statistical analysis software (Minitab or similar)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience in IMDS submissions
• Experience with non-conformance systems, containment, and corrective actions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and quality management systems (QMS software).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in automotive manufacturing or similar industry
• Experience leading quality projects, teams, or initiatives
• Lean, Six Sigma, or quality certification
• Advanced knowledge of quality tools and statistical analysis

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not directly supervise others but does involve providing direction and priorities to team members.

Work Environment

• This role operates in a combination of office and manufacturing plant environment
• The position may require exposure to noise, machinery, and production areas
• Flexibility in hours may be required based on production schedules and quality issues
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.