Quality Engineer - Automotive Plastics & Defect Prevention

ITW Automotive Group; Bryan (OH); On-site; USD 69,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW Automotive Group seeks a Quality Engineer to ensure plastic injection molding processes and products meet stringent automotive quality standards. The role emphasizes defect prevention, supplier capability, and collaboration across unionized manufacturing.

You will support IATF 16949/ISO 9001 compliance, APQP/PPAP submissions, and process validation while working with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Purchasing to improve quality performance and reduce scrap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or 7-9 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, plastics, or injection molding environments.
• Must have working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and control plans.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, and Suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support plant quality systems compliant with IATF 16949, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
• Lead defect prevention and resolution related to injection molding, tooling, materials, and secondary operations
• Support PFMEA, DFMEA, control plans, reaction plans, and process validation for molded products
• Analyze scrap, short shots, flash, warpage, burns, and cosmetic defects
• Partner with Production to improve process stability and performance
• Investigate customer warranty claims and field returns related to molded components
• Perform failure analysis on returned or suspect parts
• Identify root causes associated with material, process, tooling, or design
• Coordinate corrective actions with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Suppliers
• Support customer communication and reporting related to quality concerns
• Support and improve supplier quality performance for resin, tooling, and component suppliers
• Lead and support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions.
• Participate in design and process FMEAs, control plans, and process flow development.
• Conduct supplier audits and assessments as required
• Partner with Purchasing and Engineering on supplier development and risk mitigation
• Support standardized work, training documentation, and quality instructions
• Participate in joint quality and continuous improvement initiatives

Skills

Quality engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

7-9 years automotive/manufacturing experience

Tools

APQP/PPAP familiarity

FMEA & control plans

Root cause analysis

Job description

ITW Automotive Group seeks a Quality Engineer to ensure plastic injection molding processes and products meet stringent automotive quality standards. The role emphasizes defect prevention, supplier capability, and collaboration across unionized manufacturing.

You will support IATF 16949/ISO 9001 compliance, APQP/PPAP submissions, and process validation while working with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Purchasing to improve quality performance and reduce scrap.