Quality Engineer

Job Title:

Customer Quality Engineer

Job Description

As a key member of the program core team, the Customer Quality Engineer represents the voice of the customer within the organization and serves as the primary interface between the customer and internal teams. This role focuses on establishing, managing, and achieving Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and milestone events throughout all program phases in alignment with the organization's program management process.

The Customer Quality Engineer supports successful new product launches, ensures compliance with customer-specific requirements, and drives robust quality systems across both internal manufacturing and the supply base.

Responsibilities

+ Develop comprehensive APQP documentation to support the Product Realization Process in accordance with customer requirements, including FMEA, MSA, SPC, PPAP, and related core tools.

+ Facilitate and participate in the development and maintenance of Process Flows, PFMEA, and Control Plans with strong focus on critical and special product and process characteristics.

+ Ensure appropriate inspection plans and containment plans are established and maintained for the process value stream.

+ Develop and control all APQP documents through PPAP approval for new program launches.

+ Execute PPAP submissions and secure approvals for customer-initiated product changes in line with internal program management guidelines.

+ Interpret and communicate customer-specific requirements clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

+ Participate in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) development through the Design for Manufacturability (DFM) process.

+ Oversee gaging requirements, including design review and customer approval of measurement systems.

+ Coordinate and participate in customer quality events at manufacturing plants, such as site visits, launch reviews, and run-at-rate activities.

+ Establish and define customer safe launch exit criteria and ensure alignment with internal teams.

+ Participate in internal customer program reviews and provide quality status updates and risk assessments.

+ Obtain customer approval for After Action Reviews (AAR) on designated A-surface or cosmetic components, when applicable.

+ Manage all customer claims during prototype and pre-production phases and provide timely feedback in accordance with customer-specific requirements.

+ Maintain customer portals accurately and consistently in line with customer-specific requirements.

+ Coordinate the handoff of customer PPAP approval to the manufacturing plant to ensure seamless transition into production.

+ Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve potential issues during launch and engineering change phases.

+ Initiate dimensional layout requirements during pre-production planning and create standards where none exist.

+ Ensure APQP process information is accurate, comprehensive, and communicated effectively to suppliers.

+ Coordinate with suppliers to develop and execute line readiness activities, including Run at Rate, PV testing, QAV, and standard APQP milestones.

+ Facilitate communication between leadership and suppliers to address and resolve quality issues, providing technical guidance with a focus on prevention.

+ Ensure suppliers follow their own program management processes and timing requirements.

+ Confirm that Plant Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) approves the effective implementation of supplier processes during safe launch.

+ Lead and facilitate corrective action processes to reduce quality incidents and improve overall quality and delivery performance.

+ Review and approve PFMEA documents provided by suppliers to ensure robustness and compliance.

+ When required, review corrective actions and conduct verification audits at supplier sites.

+ Own final PPAP signoff and communication at the designated phase gate review within the program management process.

+ Identify and train backup personnel to manage key tasks and responsibilities during absences.

+ Perform additional related functions as assigned to support program quality objectives and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related field, or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree.

+ A minimum of 5 years of Quality Engineer experience, preferably in an automotive manufacturing environment.

+ Strong knowledge and practical application of GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.

+ Advanced knowledge of APQP and its application throughout the product lifecycle.

+ Advanced experience with customer-specific program development, including AIAG Automotive Core Tools (such as FMEA, MSA, SPC, and PPAP).

+ Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, including standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 (formerly TS 16949).

+ Demonstrated experience using structured problem-solving tools, including 5 Why, 8D, Root Cause Analysis, and similar methodologies.

+ Proficiency in project management using Microsoft applications and…