QE Exterior Specialist

KIA Motors Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

KIA Motors Group in the United States (KY area) seeks a quality analytics professional to review dealer claim and PDI data, analyze exterior parts performance, and identify root causes. You will prioritize KPI improvement and coordinate countermeasures with cross-functional teams across manufacturing and parts departments.

The role requires testing parts against standards, reporting findings to stakeholders, and supporting corrective actions. Domestic and international travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, with 2–5 years in manufacturing ( automotive preferred).
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Experience analyzing warranty, dealer claim, PDI, or customer quality data is preferred.
• Knowledge of structured problem-solving methods (5 Why, fishbone).

Responsibilities

• Review Dealer Claim and PDI data to analyze exterior part performance and prioritize KPI improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate returned exterior parts, test against specifications, and coordinate countermeasure implementation.

Skills

Trend analysis

KPI reporting

Data analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Excel

Databases

Presentation software

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Review and analyze dealer claims related to exterior parts, identify quality concerns and root causes, coordinate effective countermeasures, and report improvement results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review Dealer Claim and PDI data to analyze exterior part performance, identify main contributors, and prioritize opportunities for KPI improvement. Investigate failures, identify trends, and evaluate improvement opportunities.
• Review and evaluate returned exterior parts related to Dealer Claims. Test parts against applicable specifications and standards to identify failure modes and root causes. Coordinate countermeasure implementation and verify effectiveness.
• Audit assembly processes to identify root causes of known, emerging, or new concerns related to Dealer Claims. Communicate findings to responsible teams, collaborate with stakeholders to develop countermeasures, and report investigation results.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to investigate root causes of Dealer Claim quality concerns. Develop effective countermeasures based on investigation results and support implementation across relevant departments.
• Maintain comprehensive records of Dealer Claim concerns, investigations, root causes, and countermeasures. Regularly update countermeasure status, findings, and resolutions to ensure accurate information is available for review by relevant stakeholders.
• Generate detailed reports to identify Dealer Claim trends, recurring concerns, and potential quality risks. Analyze results to identify improvement opportunities and communicate findings to relevant departments to support corrective actions and KPI improvement.
• Work on complex problem solving topics from production, dealer claim or other inputs as assigned.

The above typical duties are characteristic of this job and demonstrate a level of difficulty and are not intended to list or limit the duties that may be required or assigned to a team member in this classification.

The above typical duties are characteristic of this job and demonstrate a level of difficulty and are not intended to list or limit the duties that may be required or assigned to a team member in this classification.

Qualifications & Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field along with two (2) to five (5) years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment (preferably within the automotive industry), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong planning, and organizational skills.
• Flexible schedule to work overtime, holidays and weekends as required.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Experience analyzing warranty, dealer claim, PDI, or customer quality data is preferred.
• Knowledge of structured problem-solving methods, including 5 Why, fishbone analysis, and other root-cause analysis tools.
• Strong data-analysis, technical reporting, and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional investigations and follow corrective actions through closure.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, inspection standards, and technical reports.
• Ability to multi-task and accomplish priorities within a designated time frame.
• Ability to work calmly and with a sense of urgency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to communicate well and work well with others.
• Broad understanding of automobile parts, assembly, and design and how these interrelate to the complete car and customer experience is desirable.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion in both exercising company decisions and carrying out essential job duties that affect efficient business operations and its objectives, policies, practices, and conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to those who are able to perform the essential duties of the job.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge Required

• Experience working with Trend analysis and KPI reporting, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation applications and/or software.
• Experience with managing programs and projects
• Dealer Claim, warranty, PDI, and customer quality data analysis
• Supplier and manufacturing process investigation
• Vehicle Exterior troubleshooting experience in the following areas is preferred:
• Material manufacturing, evaluation, and control of plastics, sheet metal, Headlamp, and glass
• Flush and Gap measurement and management
• Body, paint, and moving parts sealing systems
• Color Harmony
• Air and Water Leak detection and correction