Senior Quality Systems Engineer

Overview

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Minimum 10+ years of experience supporting Quality Management Systems (QMS), audits, compliance activities, and quality process deployment within automotive or manufacturing environments. This role is responsible for leading the development, implementation, integration, and continuous improvement of Client Quality Management System (QMS) and Quality Operating System (QOS). The successful candidate will support quality processes across manufacturing, supplier quality, operations, and cross-functional teams while ensuring compliance with automotive quality standards and certification requirements. The ideal candidate is a highly autonomous quality professional with strong experience in quality systems management, audit leadership, process development, data-driven decision making, and organizational change management. This individual will play a critical role in building and scaling quality systems within a fast-paced automotive startup environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality Management System Leadership
  • Lead the development, implementation, integration, and deployment of Client Quality Management System (QMS)
  • Manage quality systems throughout startup, validation, rollout, user adoption, and continuous improvement activities
  • Establish scalable quality processes, methods, tools, and governance structures across the organization
  • Partner with stakeholders to collect requirements, prioritize enhancements, and drive long-term quality system strategy
  • Ensure quality systems remain compliant, reliable, secure, and capable of supporting organizational growth
• Audit & Certification Management
  • Lead preparation and execution of ISO and IATF certification activities
  • Support internal and external audits while ensuring compliance with applicable quality standards
  • Drive corrective actions resulting from audit findings and certification requirements
  • Assist with supplier audit activities and support overall supplier quality initiatives
  • Maintain documentation and processes necessary to support ongoing certification compliance
• Quality Process Development & Continuous Improvement
  • Develop and improve quality-related processes, methods, standards, and best practices
  • Support implementation of corrective and preventive action programs
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process efficiency, quality performance, and operational excellence
  • Lead special projects related to quality system enhancement, process optimization, and organizational excellence
  • Define and support Quality Operating System (QOS) and Quality Excellence initiatives
• Quality Data & Performance Management
  • Monitor quality system performance and identify areas requiring improvement
  • Support data collection, reporting, analysis, and quality performance tracking activities
  • Leverage data to support root cause analysis, corrective actions, and business decisions
  • Improve data accuracy, accessibility, and quality-related reporting capabilities
  • Develop metrics and reporting tools that support strategic quality objectives
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Engineering, Operations, IT, and other business functions
  • Coordinate quality system integration efforts across various departments and platforms
  • Collaborate with external vendors and technology partners supporting quality initiatives
  • Support organizational alignment on quality standards, processes, and continuous improvement objectives
• Training & Quality Culture Development
  • Provide coaching, guidance, and training for quality system users
  • Support organizational adoption of quality processes and best practices
  • Promote a culture focused on quality, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for quality systems, processes, and compliance requirements

Profile

• Experienced quality systems professional capable of operating independently with minimal supervision
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for quality performance and compliance
• Comfortable working within fast-paced startup and growth-oriented environments
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Passion for quality excellence, continuous improvement, and operational effectiveness
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously

Must Have

• 10+ years of experience supporting Quality Management Systems (QMS) within automotive or manufacturing environments
• Strong experience leading or supporting ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 audit activities
• Experience developing, implementing, deploying, or improving quality systems and related processes
• Knowledge of automotive quality methodologies including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, and MSA
• Experience driving corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Supplier Quality, and cross-functional teams
• Strong project management and organizational leadership capabilities
• Experience leveraging data and reporting to support quality performance improvements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced and evolving organization
• Permanent US work authorization required
• VDA, ISO, or IATF audit experience required

Good to Have

• Lead auditor certification (IATF, ISO, or VDA)
• Experience supporting automotive startup, launch, or greenfield manufacturing environments
• Experience integrating QMS platforms with PLM, MES, or ERP systems
• Previous leadership experience overseeing quality system deployments or major quality initiatives
• Experience supporting supplier quality and manufacturing quality organizations
• Knowledge of quality software platforms and enterprise quality systems
• Experience building quality processes from the ground up
• Exposure to Quality Excellence, Operational Excellence, or Business Excellence programs
• Previous experience within OEM or Tier 1 automotive organizations