Quality Control Engineer

HL Mando America Corporation; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

HL Mando America Corporation seeks a Production Quality Engineer to drive in-line defect analysis and proactive problem resolution on the manufacturing floor. You will lead cross-functional teams, ensure IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 compliance, and support audits, PPAP, and product validation.

A hands-on, data-driven, continuous improvement mindset is essential. The role focuses on maintaining customer quality, implementing robust containment, and improving processes with SPC, MSA, and GD&T expertise

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 2–5+ years in automotive manufacturing quality (Tier 1 or 2).
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, FMEA.
• Hands-on use of 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, Control Plans; data analysis with Minitab.
• GD&T understanding and metrology equipment familiarity.

Responsibilities

• In-line defect analysis, root-cause identification, containment actions.
• Review inspection results to prevent leaks to customer and sustain quality.
• Lead cross-functional shop-floor troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Develop and improve inspection documentation and sampling plans for compliance.
• Conduct process and product audits; drive corrective actions to closure.
• Lead cross-functional teams using structured problem-solving tools (8D, etc.).
• Support PPAP, product validation, and PPAP submissions for new launches.
• Monitor KPIs, control plans, and critical-to-quality metrics on the line.
• Interface with customer quality, manage containment and reporting.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional problem solving

Team player

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Minitab

8D problem solving

5 Why

Ishikawa

APQP

PPAP

MSA

FMEA

Job description

Position Overview

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.

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

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.

Continuous Improvement

• 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 Qualifications

• 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-1/2suppliers.

Technical And Non-Technical Competencies

• Interpersonal Skills (relationship building, teamwork, conflict resolution, customer orientation).


• Strong written and verbal communication skills (effective ability to interface w/ all areas of organization)


• Self-directed, proactive, results driven w/ ability to drive issues/problem to closure


• Communication (Verbal communication, listening, written communication).


• Performance Skills (accuracy with detail, planning and organizing, efficiency).


• Personal Characteristic (motivation and commitment, flexibility, assertiveness, development orientation).


• Utilization of Quality Computerized System (Mando)


• Quality Core Tools - PFMEA, PPAP, SCP, APQP, MSA

Supervisory Responsibility

Responsible for supervision of QC Technicians

Working Conditions

• Constant manufacturing floor work.


• Occasional office work.


• Constant exposure to noise, moving machinery, and energized equipment.


• Rare exposure to dust and chemicals.


• Constant exposure to material flow and narrow aisles.


• Rare exposure to uneven surfaces.


• Constant use of PPE (safety shoes, safety glasses, earplugs).


• Frequent to occasional weekends/OT.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.


• Rare bending, twisting, and reaching.


• Constant use of force & handling, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling up to 10 lbs.


• Frequent fine motor & dexterity: gripping, pinching, tool use, and keyboarding.


• Constant sensory demands: vision (near/far, depth, color), hearing/speech, smell (as relevant to safety).

Remote Work: N/A

Compensation and Benefits:

Competitive Salary commensurate with experience.

• health


• dental & vision insurance


• life insurance


• other supplemental benefits


• 401(k) plan


• paid time off


• professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer 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.