Director of Advanced Quality — Automotive Launch Excellence

Challenge Mfg. Company LLC; Walker (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP program

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a Director of Advanced Quality to lead the launch quality strategy across programs and customers. You will drive APQP/PPAP execution to world-class standards, aligning Quality, Programs, Engineering, and Suppliers to meet IATF 16949 and CSR requirements.

The role requires a seasoned automotive quality professional with a track record of delivering launch performance metrics and customer quality improvements in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10–15 years of progressive quality experience in automotive manufacturing.
• 7+ years in leadership or management roles.
• Deep knowledge of APQP, PPAP, GD&T, and AIAG Core Tools.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 standards and CSR requirements.
• Weld quality systems, joining technologies, and tooling validation experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Advanced Quality function across programs.
• Act as escalation point for quality concerns during pre-production and launch.
• Lead and develop a team of Advanced Quality Engineers.
• Establish and maintain APQP and PPAP processes across programs.
• Oversee Safe Launch protocols and transition to plant production quality.
• Drive risk mitigation with DFMEAs, PFMEAs, gage design reviews, supplier PPAPs.
• Lead Pre-Production Builds ensuring parts inspected per CP plan.
• Facilitate handoffs between Advanced Quality and Plant Quality teams.
• Review PFMEAs at pre-production to mitigate high risk.
• Collaborate with Program Management on Quality CapEx for tools.
• Participate in CA meetings to capture lessons learned.
• Drive AIAG Core Tools compliance and customer standards.
• Maintain traceability of launch quality documentation.
• Apply 8D, 5-Why, and problem-solving to prevent recurrence.
• Be the voice of the customer to meet quality commitments.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication

Quality management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Plex

Teamcenter

QMS tools

Job description

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a Director of Advanced Quality to lead the launch quality strategy across programs and customers. You will drive APQP/PPAP execution to world-class standards, aligning Quality, Programs, Engineering, and Suppliers to meet IATF 16949 and CSR requirements.

The role requires a seasoned automotive quality professional with a track record of delivering launch performance metrics and customer quality improvements in fast-paced environments.