Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Quality Engineer to support a major manufacturing transfer and launch initiative at a Tier 1 automotive facility that designs and manufactures structural automotive components and assemblies for leading OEMs. The plant specializes in metal stamping, roll forming, and robotic welding operations, and is undergoing a significant expansion as additional stamping equipment and part programs are transferred into the facility.

In this highly visible role, you will serve as the primary quality resource for launch quality, PPAP ownership, engineering changes, customer approvals, and dimensional validation as new tooling and programs are integrated into production. Unlike a traditional production-focused quality role, this position is heavily centered on launch activities, customer submissions, and ensuring successful approval of new and transferred automotive programs.

Responsibilities

• Own complete PPAP submissions from initial planning through final customer approval for new and transferred automotive programs.
• Prepare, compile, and submit PPAP documentation through OEM and Tier 1 customer portals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with customer-specific requirements.
• Support manufacturing transfers, tooling moves, and launch readiness activities as new stamping equipment and part programs are introduced into the Milan facility.
• Develop and maintain key quality documents, including Control Plans, PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Inspection Plans, and launch quality documentation.
• Support quality loops, trial builds, prototype activities, and launch validation efforts to confirm process capability and product conformity prior to full production.
• Coordinate customer notifications and communication related to program transfers, engineering changes, and launch activities, ensuring clear and timely updates.
• Perform dimensional reviews and analyze quality data and process trends to identify issues, drive improvements, and support launch readiness.
• Interpret SPC data, run charts, process capability studies, and other quality metrics to monitor performance and validate process stability.
• Partner closely with manufacturing and tooling teams during equipment installation, production startup, and ramp-up activities to embed robust quality controls.
• Review supplier PPAP packages to ensure alignment with customer-specific requirements and internal quality standards.
• Conduct Layered Process Audits (LPAs) and support IATF-related compliance initiatives to maintain and improve the quality management system.
• Support containment activities, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and resolution of customer quality concerns as needed.
• Serve as a key quality liaison between internal teams and customers, providing technical support and guidance on launch quality and PPAP-related matters.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5+ years of Quality Engineering experience within automotive manufacturing.
• Extensive hands-on PPAP ownership experience, including preparation, customer submissions, and approvals.
• Strong working knowledge of APQP processes and requirements.
• Proficiency in PPAP documentation and customer-specific PPAP requirements.
• Experience developing and maintaining Control Plans for automotive manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of PFMEA development and analysis.
• Ability to create and interpret Process Flow Diagrams for production processes.
• Working knowledge of Measurement System Analysis (MSA) principles and practices.
• Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC), including interpretation of run charts and process capability studies.
• Experience with 8D and corrective action methodologies to resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence.
• Experience working directly with OEM and Tier 1 customer portals for quality and PPAP-related activities.
• Demonstrated experience supporting engineering changes, product launches, and manufacturing transfers.
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze run charts, quality metrics, and dimensional data to drive quality decisions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Automotive stamping experience strongly preferred, particularly in high-volume production environments.
• Experience supporting welded assemblies, structural automotive components, body-in-white (BIW), chassis, frame, or stamping operations.
• Serving as a PPAP Coordinator, Launch Quality Engineer, APQP Engineer, or Customer Quality Engineer is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with IATF requirements and automotive quality management system standards.
• Experience conducting Layered Process Audits (LPA) in an automotive manufacturing setting.
• Knowledge of OEM customer approval systems and processes for new program launches and engineering changes.

Work Environment

This role is based at a Milan automotive manufacturing facility that focuses on metal stamping, roll forming, and robotic welding operations supporting structural vehicle programs. The plant is in a phase of significant growth, with new stamping equipment, tooling, and…