Quality Engineer

About the role

This Quality Engineer role focuses on leading customer-facing quality activities, driving problem resolution, and supporting new product launches in an automotive manufacturing environment. You will serve as the primary contact for customers on quality issues, manage quality systems and documentation in line with IATF and automotive standards, and lead continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving tools and lean manufacturing principles. The position offers significant room for growth, including the opportunity to develop into a Quality Manager role, while working with highly automated processes producing interior automotive components such as carpet and felt.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main point of contact for customers on quality issues and ensure timely, professional communication and resolution.
• Lead corrective action activities (CARs) and drive rapid resolution of quality problems, ensuring sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage customer complaints, product returns, and non-conforming products from initial identification through closure and documentation.
• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities for new product launches.
• Ensure all PPAP documentation is accurately prepared, maintained, and submitted on time in accordance with customer and automotive requirements.
• Cookordination Run@Rate activities and launch readiness reviews to verify production capability and readiness for volume manufacturing.
• Maintain compliance with IATF requirements and support the ongoing effectiveness of the quality management system.
• Own and maintain key quality documents including PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flows, Standard Work, and Work Instructions, ensuring they are current and effective.
• Lead root cause investigations using tools such as 5 Why, Fishbone diagrams, Six Sigma methodologies, and Value Stream Mapping to identify and eliminate sources of defects.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions that improve product quality, reduce defects, and enhance process capability.
• Manage quality requirements for new product launches from prototype through full production, ensuring compliance with customer and internal specifications.
• Coordinate dimensional validation, pre-launch inspections, PPAP sample submission, and other launch-related quality activities.
• Train production teams on new processes, quality requirements, and standards to ensure consistent execution and understanding on the shop floor.
• Lead and support the Quality team by promoting a culture of safety, 5S, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Suppliers, and other cross-functional teams to address quality concerns and improve processes.
• Provide regular updates to management on launch risks, quality concerns, key metrics, and progress on improvement actions.
• Support supplier quality activities, including communication of requirements, issue resolution, and continuous improvement with suppliers.
• Use data analysis to monitor quality performance, identify trends, and prioritize improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Minimum of three years of experience working with quality systems, procedures, and practices for an automotive supplier in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with quality engineering activities, including quality system documentation and quality systems management.
• Thorough understanding of IATF requirements and automotive standards, including APQP procedures and requirements.
• Proven problem-solving ability, with demonstrated experience using structured root cause analysis tools.
• Launch experience supporting new product introductions in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Customer interface experience, including managing customer complaints, PPAP submissions, and quality escalations.
• Strong manufacturing process knowledge, particularly in an automotive production setting.
• Data analysis skills, including the ability to interpret SPC, capability studies, and other quality metrics.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and practices.
• Able to provide leadership without formal authority, influencing cross-functional teams toward quality objectives.
• Knowledge of ISO-based quality management systems and ISO standards.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with customers, internal teams, and suppliers.
• Experience in the automotive industry, preferably with exposure to interior automotive components.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise systems for managing quality-related data and processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Black Belt certification or equivalent Six Sigma training is highly desirable.
• Experience with ISO-based quality systems and audits.
• Experience in automotive interior manufacturing, such as headliners, door liners, soundproofing materials, carpet, or felt components.
• Supplier quality experience, including working directly with suppliers on quality issues and improvement initiatives.
• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently and proactively identify and address quality risks.
• Experience working with highly automated manufacturing processes.
• Interest in and potential for growth into a Quality Manager position.
• Experience supporting or collaborating with another Quality Engineer within a lean quality team structure.