Quality Engineer

Tenneco; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco is seeking a QA professional to analyze engineering specs and monitor processes, developing quality control methods for a designated area. The role supports TS16949 policies, environmental health and safety, and continuous improvement in a manufacturing setting.

The position requires experience in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC and strong communication with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure quality across all stages of production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field with five years manufacturing experience (automotive industry a plus) and three years in quality or relevant experience in a machining discipline preferred.
• ASQ CQE with ten years manufacturing experience with a minimum of five years’ experience in the automotive industry and a minimum of five years in a quality related position.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary quality interface across customers, production, and suppliers.
• Leads and coordinates customer, internal, and supplier quality concerns, including corrective action system activities.
• Manages all quality-related communication and ensures timely escalation and resolution of issues.
• Leads APQP activities and supports all new product launches.
• Coordinates, compiles, and submits PPAP documentation (customer and supplier).
• Defines, communicates, and ensures application of customer‑specific and supplier requirements.
• Supports production as the quality representative; identifies quality risks, scrap trends, and drive reduction efforts.
• Leads or supports investigation and disposition of nonconforming or questionable material.
• Develops, maintains, and improves quality documentation (PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts).
• Leads PFMEA risk‑reduction and continuous improvement programs.
• Ensures incoming inspection and supplier quality requirements are applied and effective.
• Interfaces with Production, Engineering, Process Technicians, Purchasing, Corporate SQA, and external suppliers as needed.
• Manages containment activities (e.g., GP12) and define exit criteria.
• Ensures relevant quality information is accurately reported and effectively disseminated across the organization.

Skills

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

PFMEA

Control Plans

SPC

Process Flow Charts

Quality Assurance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

ASQ CQE

Tools

MSA

Job description

At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.

How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.

Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.

Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way.

General Summary

The Quality Engineer position analyzes engineering specifications and monitors operational processes to develop and install quality control and or assurance methods, practices and procedures for a designated area or operation. Recommends dimensions and characteristics to be inspected and techniques to be followed. Participates in developing and maintaining TS16949 policies and procedures and works with team members and customers on a regular basis. This position Is responsible for contributing to a safe workplace and minimizing negative environmental impacts by complying with the EHS policies, procedures, work instructions outlined in the EHSMS Training Assessment for this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the primary quality interface across customers, production, and suppliers.
• Leads and coordinates customer, internal, and supplier quality concerns, including corrective action system activities.
• Manages all quality-related communication and ensures timely escalation and resolution of issues.
• Leads APQP activities and supports all new product launches.
• Coordinates, compiles, and submits PPAP documentation (customer and supplier).
• Defines, communicates, and ensures application of customer‑specific and supplier requirements.
• Supports production as the quality representative; identifies quality risks, scrap trends, and drive reduction efforts.
• Leads or supports investigation and disposition of nonconforming or questionable material.
• Develops, maintains, and improves quality documentation (PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Charts).
• Leads PFMEA risk‑reduction and continuous improvement programs.
• Ensures incoming inspection and supplier quality requirements are applied and effective.
• Interfaces with Production, Engineering, Process Technicians, Purchasing, Corporate SQA, and external suppliers as needed.
• Manages containment activities (e.g., GP12) and define exit criteria.
• Ensures relevant quality information is accurately reported and effectively disseminated across the organization.

GENERAL DUTIES

SAFETY EXPECTATIONS:

• Promotes and actively supports a safety-first workplace culture, identifies and reports unsafe conditions, and stops work when necessary to ensure safety.
• All team members abide by the location’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policy which is enforced by the local leadership, complies with the legal and other requirements and operational controls established under its EHSMS, works towards achieving established objectives and targets, and conforms to procedures consistent with the ISO 14001 standard.
• All team members will understand all the environmental aspects of his/her job. An employee should report, and if necessary, stop any activity that does not conform to the policy or may injure himself/herself.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Identifies and addresses non-conforming work, materials, or procedures within a timely manner
• Each team member has the authority to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of non-conformities relating to the product, process and quality system and has the authority to stop further work on non-conforming suspect product until the deficiency or conditions have been corrected.
• Takes ownership of work by demonstrating accountability for results and being honest and transparent when things do not go to plan.
• Follows 5S principles by maintaining, cleaning, organizing, and improving the areas. Also, by making suggestions to get to the next level of excellence and then doing it again.

CORE EXPECTATIONS

• Consistently meets high standards of safety, quality, integrity, and performance.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrates a willingness to hold tough conversations with others while seeking first to understand, speaking with respect, and with the purpose of making things better.
• Supports the leadership team as needed to meet the plant and business unit objectives.
• All other duties as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in related field with five (5) years manufacturing experience (automotive industry a plus) desired and three (3) years in quality or relevant experience in a machining discipline preferred OR ASQ CQE with ten (10) years manufacturing experience with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the automotive industry and a minimum of five (5) years in a quality related position.

EXPERIENCE

• Must be able to clearly communicate with employees and customers.
• Must have better than average mathematical skills and computer (PC) skills.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Must be able to travel.
• Competency in Advanced Product Quality Planning & Control Plan (APQP), Product Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and Statistical Process Control (SPC)

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to lift, push, and/or pull up to 60 pounds occasionally.
• On a continuous basis must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Able and willing to work around fuel mixtures, moving parts, and electrical power.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities