Customer Quality Engineer

This position is based fully on-site in Savannah, GA with a direct report to Hogansville, GA.

About the role

Monitor OEM parts quality, conduct initial investigations of issued parts, and serve as the primary communication link between the OEM and HL Mando. Support problem-solving efforts, verify corrective actions, and track quality KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor OEM parts quality through daily checks of customer in-line issues.
• Conduct initial investigations of issued parts, including problem circumstances and defect containment.
• Serve as the communication link between OEM and HL Mando; attend meetings and report problems in real time.
• Support problem-solving efforts by verifying corrective actions and tracking quality KPIs.
• Manage and respond to customer portal requirements, including daily monitoring and timely replies to MQIRs (Manufacturing Quality Incident Reports).
• Maintain a strong understanding of Customer Engineering Specifications (ES) to support accurate decision-making and guide future issue direction, including interim action evaluations.
• Utilize CANape for DTC analysis and diagnostics with a clear understanding of troubleshooting processes.
• Follow up on 4M and EO changes, including full management of customer portal documentation submissions such as VATTZ and ISIR—from creation and submission through approval and closure.
• Track PTR samples to ensure proper handling from initial stage through vehicle assembly conditions.
• Lead and follow up on investigation reports (8D/5 Panel Reports or similar), ensuring prompt containment and corrective actions from issue initiation to closure.
• Maintain strong knowledge of NCR creation, tracking, and closure in collaboration with the G1 plant.
• Generate weekly reports for upper management, including OEM quality trend analysis, quality cost tracking, and investigation status updates.
• Manage and coordinate all customer meetings on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Drive global customer investigation meetings across the US, Mexico, and Korea to support deep-dive root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Lead inspection of incoming, in-process, and measuring parts using gauges and vernier calipers with inspection sheets.
• Analyze inspection data and trends to identify risks and drive preventative actions.
• Take immediate ownership of quality issues to protect customer production lines.
• Lead containment, sorting, and rework activities across suppliers, warehouses, and customer sites.
• Drive rapid decision-making to eliminate line-stop risks.
• Serve as the primary quality owner between OEM customers and HL Mando.
• Proactively communicate risks, issue status, and countermeasures in real time.
• Lead quality meetings, escalations, and cross-functional alignment.
• Lead structured root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Validate corrective and preventative actions for effectiveness and sustainability.
• Hold internal and external stakeholders accountable for closure.
• Actively track, analyze, and improve quality KPIs (FTT, PPM, line impact).
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities and drive implementation.
• Ensure full compliance with OEM and internal quality requirements.

Requirements

• Engineering bachelor’s degree or relevant hands-on experience in automotive/manufacturing (minimum 3 years).
• Strong communication skills to report issues to engineers.
• Ability to find root causes and support containment, sorting, rework, and basic problem-solving.
• Must be located in the Savannah, GA area and directly assigned to the HMGMA site.

Skills

• Clear understanding of GD&T on drawings and prompt response to customer needs.
• Deep knowledge of DTC systems validations using CANape/Squadriga.
• Ability to make real-time technical decisions to protect customer production.
• Willingness to be present on the production floor and respond immediately to issues.

Legal Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age due to federal labor law requirements.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Working Conditions

Standard office environment with general administrative and computer-based duties. May require long-term assignment or travel to OEM/customer sites as needed. Normal indoor working conditions with minimal exposure to hazards.

Physical Requirements

Position may require occasional lifting of materials/equipment, bending, and extended periods of standing or walking.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance and other supplemental benefits.
• 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.