We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Pre-Production Quality Engineer to play a critical role in ensuring new products and manufacturing processes meet customer requirements from launch through production readiness. This position is ideal for a quality professional who enjoys working directly with customers, supporting new product introductions, conducting data-driven analysis, and driving quality excellence throughout the product development process.
You will serve as a key liaison between customers, engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure successful program launches, robust quality planning, and compliance with customer and industry standards.
- What You'll DoLead all pre-production quality activities for new product launches and engineering changes.
- Develop and maintain quality documentation required for product introduction and customer approval processes.
- Create and manage Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) documentation and related deliverables.
- Inspect and evaluate pre-production and trial materials to verify compliance with customer drawings and specifications.
- Conduct dimensional inspections, measurement studies, and capability analyses to validate manufacturing processes.
- Perform process capability studies and analyze results to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Support product testing activities and ensure results meet customer and internal quality requirements.
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to resolve product and process concerns during development and launch phases.
- Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to address quality issues and prevent recurrence.
- Review customer drawings, engineering specifications, and technical requirements to ensure quality expectations are met.
- Interface directly with customers to address quality concerns, negotiate disposition of nonconforming product, and support launch-related activities.
- Participate in design review meetings and cross-functional project discussions to drive quality-focused decisions.
- Travel occasionally to customer locations for meetings, product reviews, launch support, audits, or quality-related activities.
- Ensure compliance with quality management systems, environmental management systems, and customer-specific requirements.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, process stability, and customer satisfaction.
- Perform additional quality and project-related responsibilities as needed.
What You'll Need
- Required Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field preferred.
- Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably supporting new product launches, quality engineering, or process development activities.
- Knowledge of quality management systems such as IATF 16949, ISO 9001, or similar manufacturing standards.
- Experience developing APQP documentation and supporting product launch activities.
- Ability to interpret customer drawings, engineering specifications, and technical documentation.
- Experience conducting dimensional inspections, product testing, and capability studies.
- Experience with calibration requirements and measurement systems.
- Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent decision-making abilities with a proactive approach to issue resolution.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to build positive customer relationships and effectively manage customer quality concerns.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and general computer systems.
- Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
- Preferred Qualifications: Experience within the automotive manufacturing industry.
- Knowledge of Core Quality Tools, including:
- APQP
- PPAP
- FMEA
- SPC
- MSA
- Control Plans
- Experience supporting customer launch activities and production readiness reviews.
- Experience conducting process audits and quality system audits.
- Experience analyzing quality data and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities and project coordination experience.
Key Success Factors
- The most successful candidates will demonstrate: Strong customer-facing quality engineering experience.
- A thorough understanding of manufacturing processes and product launch activities.
- Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities.
- The ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications with a high degree of accuracy.
- Strong analytical skills and experience utilizing data to drive decisions.
- A collaborative approach when working with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers.
- A passion for quality, continuous improvement, and delivering successful product launches.
- Why You'll Love This Role: Play a critical role in launching new products and ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Work closely with customers, engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams.
- Lead quality initiatives that have a direct impact on product performance and business success.
- Gain exposure to advanced quality methodologies and manufacturing technologies.
- Enjoy opportunities for professional growth, technical development, and increased responsibility in a collaborative environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.