Quality Engineer

Job Title:

Quality Engineer

Job Description

This Quality Engineer role focuses on leading customer-facing quality activities for an automotive manufacturing operation that produces interior components such as carpet and felt. You will serve as the primary contact for customer quality issues, drive corrective actions, and manage quality requirements from prototype through full production launch. The position offers significant exposure to advanced automation, cross-functional collaboration, and clear potential to grow into a Quality Manager position.

Responsibilities

+ Serve as the main point of contact for customers on all quality-related issues, ensuring timely and professional communication.

+ Lead corrective action requests (CARs) and ensure that quality problems are contained, analyzed, and resolved quickly and effectively.

+ Manage customer complaints, product returns, and non-conforming products, including investigation, documentation, and follow-up actions.

+ Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities for new product launches.

+ Ensure all PPAP documentation is accurately completed, maintained, and submitted on time to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

+ Coordinate Run@Rate activities and launch readiness reviews to verify process capability and production readiness.

+ Maintain compliance with IATF requirements and support ongoing improvement of the quality management system.

+ Oversee Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability studies, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), calibration systems, and inspection standards.

+ Own and maintain key quality documents such as Process FMEAs (PFMEAs), Control Plans, Process Flows, Standard Work, and Work Instructions.

+ Lead structured root cause investigations using tools such as 5 Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams, Six Sigma methodologies, and Value Stream Mapping.

+ Implement corrective and preventive actions to improve product and process quality, reduce defects, and enhance customer satisfaction.

+ Manage and coordinate quality requirements for new product launches from prototype through production, ensuring alignment with customer expectations.

+ Coordinate dimensional validation, pre-launch inspections, PPAP samples, and other launch-related quality activities.

+ Train production teams on new processes, quality requirements, and standards to ensure consistent execution on the shop floor.

+ Lead and support the Quality team, promoting a culture of safety, 5S, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

+ Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Suppliers, and other internal stakeholders to resolve quality issues and improve processes.

+ Provide regular updates to management on launch risks, quality concerns, data-driven findings, and improvement actions.

+ Collaborate with suppliers to address supplier quality issues and support development of robust incoming quality controls.

+ Apply strong problem-solving and data analysis skills to identify trends, prioritize issues, and drive sustainable improvements.

+ Support lean manufacturing initiatives by integrating quality tools and methods into continuous improvement projects.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.

+ Minimum of three years of experience working with quality systems, procedures, and practices for an automotive supplier in a manufacturing environment.

+ Proven problem-solving ability using structured methodologies and tools such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Six Sigma, and Value Stream Mapping.

+ Thorough understanding of IATF requirements and APQP procedures and requirements.

+ Hands-on experience with APQP and PPAP for new product launches in the automotive industry.

+ Experience managing customer interfaces on quality issues, including complaints, returns, and non-conforming products.

+ Demonstrated launch experience, including Run@Rate and launch readiness reviews.

+ Strong manufacturing process knowledge, particularly in automotive component production.

+ Proficiency in quality system documentation and quality systems management.

+

Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability studies, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), calibration systems, and inspection standards.

+ Ability to create, maintain, and own PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flows, Standard Work, and Work Instructions.

+ Lean Manufacturing experience and familiarity with lean tools and principles.

+ Effective leadership without formal authority, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

+ Strong data analysis skills and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

+ Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for interaction with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.

+ Knowledge of automotive standards and expectations within the automotive industry.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience in automotive interior manufacturing, particularly with products such…