Quality Engineer; Automotive Manufacturing

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. is currently assisting a client in their search for a QUALITY ENGINEER for their automotive manufacturing client located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Our client is a global Tier 1 automotive supplier specializing in the production of highly engineered formed plastic components supporting leading automotive OEMs throughout North America.

This is an excellent opportunity for a quality-focused manufacturing professional with strong automotive experience who enjoys driving customer satisfaction, leading quality initiatives, supporting new product launches, and improving manufacturing processes within a fast-paced production environment.

Reporting to Quality Leadership, the Quality Engineer will play a critical role in supporting customer quality, new program launches, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality system compliance throughout the manufacturing operation.

The successful candidate will serve as a key liaison between customers, suppliers, engineering, production, purchasing, and quality teams while ensuring products consistently meet customer requirements, industry standards, and internal quality expectations.

This role is ideal for an automotive quality professional with strong expertise in APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, root cause analysis, and automotive quality systems who thrives in a collaborative manufacturing environment.

• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities from program launch through production approval
• Coordinate prototype sample production, evaluation, and customer submissions
• Manage new program timing, milestones, and launch activities to ensure successful production readiness
• Drive error-free launches while ensuring customer requirements are met throughout all phases of program development
• Coordinate engineering changes and maintain associated documentation and records
• Facilitate program reviews, launch meetings, and cross-functional project communications

• Serve as the primary quality liaison between customers, suppliers, and internal teams
• Maintain direct communication with customers regarding quality concerns, corrective actions, program launches, and quality performance
• Support customer-specific requirements including:
  • Ford
  • Toyota
  • Volkswagen
  • Other automotive OEMs
• Ensure customer satisfaction throughout all phases of product development and production

• Support and maintain compliance with:
  • IATF 16949
  • Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) requirements
  • Customer-specific quality standards
• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of automotive quality systems and processes
• Maintain quality documentation, procedures, and records
• Support internal audits, external audits, and customer audits as required

• Lead root cause investigations utilizing:
  • 8D Methodology
  • 5 Why Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Structured Problem-Solving Techniques
• Drive initiatives focused on:
  • Defect reduction
  • PPM improvement
  • Scrap reduction
  • Process capability improvement
  • Customer satisfaction
• Analyze production and quality data to identify opportunities for process optimization and operational excellence
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to improve product quality and process performance

• Develop and maintain:
  • PFMEAs
  • Control Plans
  • Process Flow Diagrams
  • Work Instructions
• Support Gauge R&R studies and capability analysis
• Establish and manage gauge and fixture calibration programs
• Utilize statistical tools and methodologies including:
  • SPC
  • Capability Studies
  • Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
  • Statistical Data Analysis
• Prepare and maintain PPAP documentation and customer submission packages

• Partner closely with:
  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering
  • Production
  • Purchasing
  • Sales
  • Inspection Teams
  • Suppliers
• Support manufacturing quality improvements and operational excellence initiatives
• Mentor and support team members on quality processes, systems, and best practices

• Degree or Diploma in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or…