Quality Investigation Engineer

Summary

The Quality Investigation (QI) Engineer supports investigations into vehicle performance, quality concerns, and component‑level issues across Subaru's battery electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and internal combustion engine (ICE) product lines across the North American region. This engineering role works under guidance from senior engineers and managers to evaluate vehicles, conduct root‑cause analysis, and recommend technical improvements.

• High Voltage Components and Air Conditioner
• Engine, Transmission, and Axles

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Brakes
• Electrical
• Chassis and Body

• In‑field investigation of vehicle‑related issues
• Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including members in North America and Japan
• Analyzing market and automotive technical data
• Testing and evaluating repair and countermeasures
• Assisting with vehicle development while correlating quality‑related tasks
• Approximately 80% execution of assigned tasks and 20% project oversight

• Progresses in projects as directed by experienced team members
• Leads some minor‑impact projects independently
• Participates in frequent check‑ins from managers for workload and progress

• Conducts evaluation of production vehicles and makes final recommendations
• Monitors early production quality and escalates abnormal trends

• Supports Subaru entities with new model launch quality reviews
• Shares best practices to reduce potential quality issues

• Performs in‑depth investigations into defects, customer complaints, warranty returns, and field issues
• Drives failure analysis via lab testing, teardown studies, supplier returns, and in‑field investigation

• Facilitates structured problem‑solving processes
• Works with stakeholders to identify and eliminate root causes
• Ensures corrective and preventative actions are validated and implemented

• Leads urgent responses to field or production issues
• Defines, coordinates, and audits containment actions
• Verifies containment effectiveness

• Analyzes field return data, warranty trends, early warning alerts, dealership reports, and telematics
• Identifies systemic issues and provides technical guidance

• Prepares detailed technical reports summarizing investigations and findings
• Presents issues and status to management and senior leadership when needed

• Identifies procedural or quality issues
• Recommends systemic improvements
• Supports quality system and process improvement initiatives

• Collaborates with engineers across disciplines to develop competitive, reliable products that meet Subaru's quality standards
• Stays current with industry trends and best practices in ICE, HEV, and BEV development

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

• Basic understanding of general interests/trends in the U.S. market; passion for automobiles and customer service
• General engineering knowledge; ability to learn new technical information
• Technical & analytical skills including ability to read engineering drawings, apply RCA tools, evaluate vehicles
• Problem‑solving skills including hands‑on investigation and structured analysis
• Project management ability with strong communication between North American and Japanese teams
• Data collection, interpretation, and presentation
• Clear verbal and written communication; ability to explain findings to engineers or managers
• Software proficiency:
  Microsoft Office, Python, Jira, Tableau, Power BI, RCA software, quality reporting tools
• General knowledge of RCA methodologies
• Basic knowledge of vehicle parts/materials

• EV/HEV/ICE architecture and performance
• Thermal conditioning…