Quality Engineer

Autoneum; Norwalk (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Autoneum, a global leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, seeks a Quality Leader to drive quality programs, PPAP/APQP processes, and robust launch support across new model programs. You will coordinate cross-functional teams and ensure supplier quality aligns with IATF 16949 standards.

The role emphasizes problem solving, documentation, and maintaining 5S and safety in the plant, with up to 15% travel for launches and audits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years experience with automotive quality systems.
• Thorough understanding of IATF 16949 and APQP procedures.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to ensure safety, 5S, and professionalism within the Quality department.
• Coordinate plant activities and allocate resources for designation of Special Characteristics, SPC, and Process Capability.
• Ensure PPAP processes are initiated and compliant with AIAG guidelines.
• Act as liaison between plant and customers on product quality issues.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions to ensure timely closures.
• Oversee documentation for new model launches and quality records.

Skills

Quality leadership

APQP/PPAP

Root cause analysis

Lean manufacturing

Minitab

SAP

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical or related field

Tools

Minitab

SAP

Job description

Autoneum is globally leading in acoustic and thermal management for light and commercial vehicles. The Company develops and produces multifunctional, lightweight and sustainable components and systems for interior floor, interior trim as well as engine bay and underbody. Customers include almost all automobile manufacturers in Europe, North & South America, Asia and Africa. The Company with its head-quarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is listed on the SIX Swiss Ex-change (ticker symbol AUTN).

Position Summary

• Plans, coordinates and directs quality programs and activities designed to ensure quality control and quality assurance of the production of products consistent with established budgets and standards.
• Administers the PPAP/APQP process, including supplier approval and customer defined submissions.
• Directly involved in all new model launches, all activities associated with engineering changes and implementation.
• Responsible for the on-time successful launch of all new programs to ensure compliance to customer APQP requirements; interface with Program Management.
• Maintain PCR system

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide Leadership, discipline, and support to ensure the highest safety, housekeeping (5S), and professionalism within the Quality department
• Coordinate plant activities, and provide resources to manufacturing, maintenance and engineering and execution regarding designation of Special Characteristics, SPC, Process Capability
• Ensure the PPAP process is initiated internally and externally as defined in the AIAG PPAP manual
• Directly responsible to keep updated on customer APQP requirements
• Act as a liaison between the plant and customers on product quality issues
• Directly responsible to initiate CAR's and facilitate supplier corrective actions to ensure closure in a timely manner
• Coordinate activities regarding Control of Non-conforming Product (includes purchased items; i.e. resin, grommets, push pins, etc.) and Rework Product, including customer rejection/returns
• Responsible for establishing inspection standards to ensure product quality according to customer standards
• Assist is developing lab testing activities for incoming product(s) and all third party tests as required
• Implement and perform calibration systems for Control of inspection, measuring, and test equipment
• Reviews all data obtained during all quality control and quality assurance activities to ensure consistency with customer requirements and company policies/procedures
• Keeps management team abreast of significant issues or developments identified during launch activities and actions being taken to improve the situation
• Directly responsible for inspection method buy-off and MSA requirements and annual OEM re-qualification activities.
• Implement/Support a 100% product audit (random quality checks included, but not limited to, part quality and packaging specifications) program
• Ensure compliance with all related IATF 16949 policies and procedures
• Participate in all plant-wide communications
• Assist other Autoneum plants as necessary
• Responsible for all dimensional verification/validation (PPAP, pre-launch, etc.)
• Coordinate, monitor and assemble all required documentation for successful run at rate demonstration
• Perform or direct inspection of pre-launch shipments
• Lead problem solving and preventative action for customer program launch issues
• Responsible for managing and completing all customer documentation for new model launch(s) in a timely manner
• Responsible for the following APQP requirements:

APQP Requirements

• Engineering - Layout approvals, RFQ review, review proposed manufacturing processes, training, etc.
• Quality-SPC planning, Measurement System Analysis Capability study, blue print review, PPAP readiness, and Launch Readiness Review
• Production -Poka-Yoke, TS documentation (flow charts, PFMEA, CP, etc.), cell readiness, start of shift checklist, run@rate, training, 5S, etc.
• Coordinate Run Rate activities in compliance to customer launch schedule
• Coordinate PPAP compliance to customer launch schedule
• Use of effective root cause analysis methodology which includes, but is not limited to, Six Sigma tools, daily meeting, data collection, fish bone diagrams, 5-whys, brainstorming exercises, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, etc.
• Directly responsible for Standard Work, FMEA, Control Plans, WI's and Process Flows
• Leads a cross-functional team in the APQP and PPAP processes. Assumes direct responsibility for FMEA's, Control Plans, Process Flows and Standard Work documents
• Responsible to oversee the manufacturing of all pre-production samples (prototype and PPAP) for all new product launches
• Responsible for initial training of new production process launches
• Manage internal/external maintenance resources and/or outside contractors as required
• Comply with all facility safety guidelines and ensure safe work practices are followed
• Ability to apply effective root cause analysis methodology which includes, but is not limited to, Six Sigma tools, daily meetings, data collection, fish bone diagrams, 5-whys, brainstorming exercises, etc. for CAR requirements
• Attend production support meetings, New Model Launch CFT meetings, and weekly Change Management meetings
• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization to ensure issues are addressed and resolved in a timely manner
• Travel up to 15%

Education / Experience Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in technical or related field preferred or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of three years experience dealing with Quality systems, procedures and practices for an automotive supplier in a manufacturing environment
• Thorough understanding of IATF 16949 and APQP procedures and requirements
• Lean Manufacturing experience

Language Ability

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, employees and customers

Math Ability

• Basics math skills are required.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret instructions and deal with abstract and concrete variables

Computer Skills

• Proficient in MS Office software (inc. Powerpoint, Word, Project, SharePoint, and Excel) and Outlook
• Minitab
• SAP is a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment, including regular exposure to production equipment, moving machinery, noise, vibration, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to frequently walk throughout the plant to support production, quality audits, inspections, new product launches, and problem-solving activities.
• Ability to stand for extended periods while conducting audits, inspections, tests, and production floor observations.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform other physical movements necessary to inspect products, equipment, and tooling.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for operating computers, measuring devices, testing equipment, and other quality-related instruments.
• Ability to visually inspect products, tooling, gauges, documentation, and production processes, including close vision, color vision, and the ability to distinguish fine details.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, via telephone, and in group settings within both office and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to travel between departments and work areas throughout the facility and occasionally travel to customer, supplier, or other company locations as needed.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, safety footwear, and other protective equipment as required.
• Ability to work occasional overtime and flexible hours to support production schedules, customer requirements, audits, and new product launch activities.