Quality Engineer - Automotive Industry

Quality Engineer Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Quality Engineer to join our Quality Assurance team within an automotive manufacturing environment. This position plays a critical role in promoting a proactive, zero-defect culture by ensuring product quality, supplier performance, and compliance with established quality management systems.

The Quality Engineer will manage customer and supplier quality activities throughout the product lifecycle, from initial development and production launch through ongoing manufacturing. Key responsibilities include coordinating product qualification, managing quality concerns, implementing corrective and preventive actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

This position works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Production, Purchasing, customers, and suppliers to ensure products consistently meet quality standards and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance & Product Development

• Lead quality planning and assurance activities throughout product development, launch, and production.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure product and process readiness prior to Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions and production release.

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality plans to ensure compliance with engineering specifications, customer requirements, and industry standards.

• Review, evaluate, and approve PPAP submissions and internal Process Sign-Off (PSO) documentation.

• Ensure manufactured components meet dimensional, functional, reliability, and performance requirements.

• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes to identify potential quality concerns.

Customer & Supplier Quality Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for customer and supplier quality-related matters.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal departments.

• Investigate customer complaints, supplier defects, and manufacturing quality concerns to determine root causes and appropriate corrective actions.

• Develop and coordinate containment, corrective, and preventive action plans to ensure timely resolution.

• Monitor supplier quality performance using key metrics, including PPM, corrective action effectiveness, and cost recovery.

• Partner with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes, product quality, and overall performance.

• Participate in customer and supplier quality reviews and performance meetings.

Auditing & Compliance

• Develop and maintain supplier audit schedules and conduct on-site quality system and process audits.

• Evaluate and qualify new suppliers based on quality standards and manufacturing capabilities.

• Perform internal and external audits to ensure compliance with applicable quality management systems and customer requirements.

• Conduct follow-up audits to verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.

• Support compliance with IATF 16949 standards and applicable automotive industry quality requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving initiatives to address complex manufacturing and quality issues.

• Implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce defects, improve efficiency, and enhance product reliability.

• Analyze quality data, identify trends, and recommend process improvements.

• Track and report quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and support initiatives to achieve performance targets.

• Collaborate with Engineering and Production teams to improve manufacturing processes and reduce quality-related costs.

• Maintain accurate quality documentation, inspection records, corrective action reports, and engineering-related information.

• Provide quality-related training and technical guidance to employees and suppliers.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or a related technical field.

• Minimum of 5 years of quality assurance or quality engineering experience within automotive component manufacturing.

• Experience working directly with automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and manufacturing operations.

• Strong background in supplier quality management, customer quality, and manufacturing process improvement.

• Experience with aluminum and steel casting, machining, assembly, stamping, fasteners, and related manufacturing processes.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 quality management system requirements.

• Demonstrated experience with AIAG Core Tools, including:

  • Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)

  • Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

  • Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)

• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.

• Knowledge of precision measurement equipment, inspection techniques, and dimensional analysis.

• Understanding of statistical analysis, root cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.

• Familiarity with automotive manufacturing processes, including machining, casting, forging, stamping, plating, and assembly.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Professional Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, suppliers, management, and cross-functional teams.

• Strong negotiation skills and understanding of supplier and customer relationships.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and independently resolve complex quality issues.

• High attention to detail with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.

• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and support others in quality improvement initiatives.

• Strong decision-making skills and commitment to continuous improvement.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

• Flexibility to work overtime when necessary.

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.

• Ability to occasionally push or pull up to 35 pounds and lift approximately 40 pounds.

• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and technical training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with aluminum and steel casting and machining processes.

• Experience supporting automotive OEM customers and Tier 1 automotive suppliers.

• Proven success managing supplier quality issues, PPAP approvals, and corrective action programs.

• Strong background in automotive manufacturing quality systems and continuous improvement initiatives.