What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Engineer position at HTI?
Quality Engineer
Location: Piedmont, SC
Company: JTEKT North America
Join Our Expansion in 2026!
Join JTEKT North America—a global leader in automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools—as we expanded our Piedmont, SC facility in 2025 with over 120 new machines and advanced automation systems.
As a Quality Engineer, you will be a key technical contributor helping scale and optimize our high-volume manufacturing operation. This is a high-impact role supporting new equipment launches, process validation, and customer quality performance during a significant growth phase.
Position Summary
The Quality Engineer supports manufacturing operations by improving product quality, resolving customer and internal quality concerns, implementing corrective actions, and partnering with engineering and production to drive continuous improvement. This role is heavily involved with APQP, PPAP, root cause analysis, customer quality, and production-floor support.
Key Responsibilities
- Support daily manufacturing quality activities.
- Investigate internal and customer quality concerns using structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, etc.).
- Develop and maintain Control Plans, PFMEAs, inspection plans, and quality documentation.
- Lead or support APQP and PPAP activities for new and existing products.
- Analyze SPC data, capability studies, and process trends to identify improvement opportunities.
- Work closely with production, engineering, maintenance, suppliers, and customers to resolve quality issues.
- Participate in launch activities and engineering changes.
- Conduct layered process audits and support internal quality audits.
- Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and verify effectiveness.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve quality, reduce scrap, and improve customer satisfaction.
- Support customer visits and customer-specific quality requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5 years of Quality Engineering experience in manufacturing.
- Automotive manufacturing experience preferred.
- Working knowledge of:
- APQP
- PPAP
- PFMEA
- Control Plans
- SPC
- GD&T
- Root Cause Analysis
- 8D
- MSA
- Familiarity with IATF 16949 requirements (ownership not required).
- Strong communication and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
Nice-to-Have
- CQE certification.
- Experience with customer quality (OEM/Tier 1).
- Injection molding, machining, or assembly experience.
- Launch experience.
- Experience with BMW, Toyota, Honda, GM, or other automotive customers.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred
- (Associate degree with equivalent experience may be considered)
- 4 years of experience in a manufacturing quality role (automotive industry preferred)
- Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and IATF 16949
- High proficiency in GD&T and blueprint interpretation
- Experience with structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, statistical tools)
- Understanding of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools
- Experience with measurement systems, metrology, and statistical analysis
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and interface directly with customers
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Manufacturing plant environment requiring use of PPE (steel-toed shoes, safety glasses, etc.)
- Frequent standing, bending, reaching, and repetitive motion
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
- Overtime and flexible hours may be required based on production demands