Site Quality Engineer

Senior Site Quality Engineer

Location: Columbus, IN

Pay Rate: $50.48 per hour

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Long term contract to hire

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Site Quality Engineer to lead quality improvement initiatives and support manufacturing operations in achieving high standards of product quality, process reliability, and customer satisfaction.This position will focus on driving continuous improvement, reducing manufacturing defects, ensuring compliance with automotive quality standards, and resolving complex quality issues. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), automotive quality core tools, dimensional inspection, and statistical process control.The Senior Site Quality Engineer will collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, tooling, and customer teams to improve product quality, optimize manufacturing processes, and ensure compliance with applicable industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Engineering & Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing processes and quality systems comply with IATF 16949 requirements and applicable automotive quality standards.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities.
• Apply automotive quality core tools, including VDA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Control Plans (CP).
• Review quality documentation, process controls, and inspection procedures to ensure compliance with customer specifications.
• Identify quality risks and implement preventive measures to minimize manufacturing defects and nonconformities.

Dimensional Engineering & Metrology

• Perform Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) analysis to evaluate dimensional requirements and product conformance.
• Utilize PolyWorks software for 3D measurement, dimensional analysis, and part validation.
• Provide technical support for metrology activities, dimensional inspection, and measurement system validation.
• Conduct or support Measurement System Analysis (MSA), including Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies.
• Analyze dimensional inspection results and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to resolve product deviations.

Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving

• Lead investigations into internal and external quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Apply 8D, 5-Why, and Ishikawa (Fishbone) analysis to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Work with cross-functional teams to address nonconforming products, process variation, and customer quality concerns.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurring quality issues.
• Monitor the effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure sustainable process improvements.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on reducing scrap, rework, defects, and manufacturing process variation.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve process capability and overall product quality.
• Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques to monitor manufacturing performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Analyze quality performance data and recommend process improvements based on measurable results.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and tooling teams to support process changes and maintain product quality.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Leadership

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, tooling, and customer quality teams to resolve technical issues and support operational objectives.
• Provide technical guidance on quality standards, inspection methods, and automotive quality core tools.
• Mentor and coach less experienced team members in quality engineering practices and problem-solving methodologies.
• Communicate quality findings, technical data, and corrective action plans to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Support engineering changes, process modifications, and quality-related customer requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 2–5 years of quality engineering or related manufacturing experience.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with automotive quality standards and core tools, including:
• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• VDA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Control Plans (CP)
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 quality management requirements.
• Experience with dimensional inspection, metrology, and quality measurement systems.
• Familiarity with PolyWorks or similar metrology software.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions using 8D, 5-Why, or Ishikawa methodologies.
• Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information to manufacturing teams, engineering personnel, and customers.
• Availability to work weekend overtime as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous quality engineering experience within the automotive manufacturing industry.
• Experience with Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) programming or 3D scanning technologies.
• Knowledge of 6S workplace organization and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with welding processes and associated quality requirements.
• Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies.
• Proficiency with Minitab or advanced Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis.
• Experience supporting Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma improvement initiatives.