Quality Control Engineer

HL Mando America Corporation; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

HL Mando America Corporation is seeking a Production Quality Engineer to drive in-line defect analysis, process and product audits, and proactive problem resolution across manufacturing. You will collaborate cross‑functionally to meet HL Mando’s quality standards and customer focus.

The role requires hands-on shop floor experience in automotive assembly, strong analytical skills, and a continuous improvement mindset aligned with global quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• 2–5+ years of automotive manufacturing quality experience (Tier 1 or Tier 2).
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, FMEA.
• Hands-on with 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, Control Plans, and inspection planning.
• Proficiency with data analysis software (Minitab) and GD&T/metrology understanding.
• Analytical, communication, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform in-line defect analysis across manufacturing processes to identify root causes and containment actions.
• Review inspection results to prevent defects reaching customers and maintain quality.
• Lead cross-functional shop-floor troubleshooting and containment activities.
• Develop and maintain inspection documentation and sampling plans to meet IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.
• Conduct process and product audits; close CAPAs with verified effectiveness.
• Lead cross-functional teams on problem-solving using structured methods (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa).
• Monitor KPIs, support PPAP submissions, and assist in product validation for new launches.
• Serve as technical contact for customer quality issues and supplier quality improvement.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

8D

5 Why

Ishikawa

Control Plans

Minitab

Job description

HL Mando is seeking a highly motivated Production Quality Engineer to support world-class production of automotive components. This role will be responsible for proactively driving sustainable excellence by ensuring product compliance, executing deep in-line defect analysis, conducting process and product audits, and driving proactive problem resolution across the manufacturing operation all with the goal of maintaining a focus on the customer. The ideal candidate brings experience from an assembly environment, strong analytical capability, hands‑on shop floor experience, is a team player, and a continuous improvement mindset aligned with HL Mando’s global quality standards.

About the Role

Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned through standard work or as needed):

Responsibilities

In-Line Quality Control & Defect Analysis

• Perform real‑time in‑line part defect analysis across the affected manufacturing process, identifying defect patterns, root causes, and containment actions (as necessary).
• Review dimensional, functional, and visual inspection results to prevent defect leaks to customer and maintain stable production quality.
• Lead cross‑functional troubleshooting activities on the shop floor to promptly address abnormal conditions and quality alerts.
• Manage immediate containment activities, including segregation, generating sort or rework instructions, and communication with production teams.

Quality Control Compliance

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve HL Mando’s enhance inspection documentation, Quality Technician Inspection Questions, incoming inspection sampling plans to meet IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and OEM‑specific requirements.
• Conduct process audits to assess compliance with standard operating procedures, control plans, specifications, control plans, and error‑proofing systems.
• Execute product audits to verify product conformity, measurements, performance checks, dimensional validation, etc...
• Document audit findings, lead corrective actions and follow‑ups, and ensure timely closure with verified effectiveness.

Root Cause Analysis & Proactive Problem Resolution

• Lead cross functional teams using structured problem‑solving activities using 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, etc...
• Insure read across actions are implemented insure problem prevention on other production lines.
• Drive proactive problem resolution by identifying early indicators of quality risks, initiating cross‑functional countermeasures before customer impact occurs.
• Conduct data analysis (SPC, capability studies, trend charts) to predict and prevent potential quality issues.
• For OEM related Root Cause and Corrective Action, implement specific LPA questions insuring corrective actions implemented are monitored.
• Validate the effectiveness of solutions through corrective action follow‑up audits, capability studies, review and KPI performance tracking.

Product & Process Quality Management

• Monitor critical‑to‑quality characteristics in‑line, manufacturing KPIs, and control plan adherence to ensure stable and capable processes.
• Support new product launches, engineering changes, and process improvements through, product validation, and PPAP submissions.
• Maintain quality documentation including MSA studies, control plans, inspection standards, process capability reports, etc.

Customer Quality Interface (support)

• Serve as a technical contact for customer quality issues, warranty claims, and returned part analysis (as needed).
• Lead containment team, document sort instruction and report on progress.
• Collaborate with supplier quality to manage incoming material quality, conduct root‑cause analysis, and enhance incoming inspection standards.
• Prepare and present quality performance reports, audit summaries, and corrective action progress to HL Mando leadership and customer teams.
• Six Sigma, and driving defect‑reduction initiatives across production lines to improve product quality and process efficiency.
• Support implementation of advanced quality planning tools and contribute to building a proactive quality culture at HL Mando.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2–5+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality (tier 1 or tier 2) or product quality engineering.
• Strong knowledge of automotive standards: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, FMEA.
• Hands‑on experience with quality tools such as 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, Control Plans, and writing inspection plans.
• Proficiency with data analysis software (e.g., Minitab or similar) and an understanding of GD&T and metrology equipment.
• Analytical, communication, and cross‑functional problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Skills

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience in high‑volume automotive Tier‑1 manufacturing environments.
• Auditing
• IATF 16949 experience
• Reduction in quality costs
• Assembly and Machining Experience
• Knowledge of inspection and measurement technologies.
• Previous experience working directly with major automotive OEMs or Tier‑1/2 suppliers.

Pay range and compensation package

Competitive Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes health, dental & vision insurance, life insurance and other supplemental benefits, 401(k) plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

HL Mando is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability status.