Quality Engineer

HI-LEX North America; Cusseta (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive supplier in Alabama is seeking a Quality Engineer responsible for managing customer quality concerns and ensuring adherence to IATF16949 Standards. The ideal candidate will have a degree in quality or engineering and 3-5 years of experience in automotive quality assurance. Key responsibilities include preparing PPAP documentation, coordinating quality assurance processes, and promoting continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing process. The position also involves significant interaction with customers and internal teams to drive quality standards.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years previous experience in an automotive quality assurance or customer support environment.
• Knowledge of quality systems, blueprint reading, engineering testing methods.

Responsibilities

• Manage and resolve customer concerns.
• Coordinate activities and resources of Customer Liaisons.
• Prepare PPAP documentation and customer correspondence.

Skills

Continuous improvement (Kaizen)

Corrective and preventive action (CAPA)

Quality control procedures

Risk management

Supplier management

Auditing

Education

4-year degree in quality or engineering or equivalent field

CQE/CQM Certification

Tools

Statistical process control

PFMEAs

PPAPs

6 Sigma/Lean Manufacturing

Job description

Position Summary

Responsible for managing and resolving customer concerns and facilitating irreversible corrective action into manufacturing. Responsible for working with Design Engineering to develop Quality Plans that will provide for 6 sigma manufacturing levels. Coordinates the activities and resources of Customer Liaisons. Responsible for adherence to process/procedures to ensure optimum quality is maintained during the manufacturing process. To ensure the establishment of and adherence to IATF16949 Standards. Other related tasks as assigned by management.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Advanced Quality Planning (AQP) for new programs for a group of specified customers.
• Technical support to QA staff and manufacturing.
• Aid in the establishment of IATF16949 Standards.
• Perform system audits to verify adherence to IATF16949 standards.
• Interface with all departments/suppliers to optimize quality.
• Review supplier parts/documents for PPAP approval.
• Promotes continuous improvement atmosphere.
• Promotes an associate relations environment that is consistent with long-term management objectives.
• Prepare PPAP documentation and other correspondence to customer(s).
• Review supplier parts/documents for PPAP approval.
• Review all corrective actions (internal/external) for verification of problem resolution.
• Aid in the evaluation of all deviation requests.
• Manages/Resolves/Documents all Customer Concerns.
• Single Point contact for all customers quality issues.
• Facilitates Irreversible Corrective Action in Manufacturing.
• Coordinates the activities and resources of Customer Liaisons.
• Responsible for PPAP submissions and other customer procedural requirements.
• Attends Design Review, CRT, and Launch support.
• Drives APQP programs with Design Engineering for new product introductions.
• Drives 6 Sigma Programs with Component Suppliers.
• Develops Control Plans for new products.
• Assimilates electronic data for management reports.
• Reports to management on all quality matters.

Education

• 4-year degree in quality or engineering or equivalent field.
• CQE/CQM Certification a plus.

Functional Experience

• 3 - 5 years previous experience in an automotive quality assurance or customer support environment.
• Knowledge of quality systems, statistical process control and tools, blueprint reading, engineering testing methods, PFMEAs, PPAPs, DOE, 5P, Program Management, 6 Sigma/Lean Manufacturing.

Core Competencies

• Continuous improvement (Kaizen): A core mindset for a quality engineer is constantly seeking ways to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and prevent future problems.
• Corrective and preventive action (CAPA): The ability to identify nonconformities and implement effective corrective and preventive action plans is a key competency.
• Quality control procedures: This involves developing, implementing, and monitoring inspection, testing, and evaluation methods to ensure adherence to quality standards throughout the product lifecycle.
• Risk management: A quality engineer must be able to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks in a process or product to prevent negative outcomes.
• Supplier management: Working with suppliers to ensure the quality of raw materials and components is a common responsibility.
• Auditing: Conducting both internal and external audits to ensure compliance with quality standards.

Physical Requirements

• Office environment with noise from computer peripherals such as mainframe, disk drives and printers.
• Factory environment with noise from manufacturing equipment.
• Exposure to dangerous equipment. Possible serious injury due to carelessness around equipment.
• Spends up to 50% of time in travel between customers using an automobile in high traffic areas.
• Exposure to automobile accidents causing bodily damage.
• Sometimes lifts, carries or moves objects – up to 50 pounds.