Customer Quality Engineer

PPG; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PPG in Lafayette, IN is seeking a Customer Quality Engineer to act as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams, driving root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement across the product life cycle.

You will lead containment through closure of customer quality issues, coordinate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Customer Service, and ensure adherence to IATF 16949 and customer requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry or related field.
• 1+ years of experience in customer quality, manufacturing quality, technical development, or automotive engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with quality tools and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Experience establishing and managing communication in customer‑facing environments.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 quality management standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead resolution of customer quality issues, complaints, and claims from containment through closure.
• Be the primary customer contact for quality concerns, escalations, audits, and issue reviews.
• Promote structured root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to investigate nonconformances and implement sustainable solutions.
• Ensure customer‑specific requirements are integrated into business processes.
• Monitor and improve main quality performance metrics, including complaint reduction, prompt response, and customer scorecard performance.
• Promote compliance with quality management systems, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customer Service to enhance customer satisfaction.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Root cause analysis

Quality tools

Risk assessment

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or related field

Job description

As the Customer Quality Engineer (CQE), you will ensure customer quality requirements are consistently met and lead the resolution of customer quality issues across the full product life cycle. Serving as the primary quality liaison between customers and internal cross-functional teams, you will drive root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role plays a critical part in maintaining customer satisfaction, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and sustaining product and process performance. This is an on-site position located at the Lafayette, IN facility, reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead resolution of customer quality issues, complaints, and claims from containment through closure.
• Be the primary customer contact for quality concerns, escalations, audits, and issue reviews.
• Promote structured root cause analysis and corrective actions using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to investigate nonconformances and implement sustainable solutions.
• Ensure customer‑specific requirements are integrated into business processes.
• Monitor and improve main quality performance metrics, including complaint reduction, prompt response, and customer scorecard performance.
• Promote compliance with quality management systems, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customer Service to enhance customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
• 1+ years of experience in customer quality, manufacturing quality, technical development, or automotive engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with quality tools and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Experience establishing and managing communication and engagement in customer‑facing environments.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and risk assessment capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented environment.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 quality management standards.

Preferred

• Automotive or coatings industry experience.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 quality management standards.
• Experience supporting customer or third‑party quality audits.

About Us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data‑driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future‑focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well‑being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.