Quality Engineer III in Rockford

Energy Jobline ZR; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GRC is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer III to protect product quality and drive continuous improvement across the organization. This role leads complex quality activities, investigates significant issues, and mentors Quality personnel in a manufacturing setting.

The position emphasizes APQP/PPAP leadership, advanced data analysis, and collaboration with manufacturing, engineering, and suppliers to ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field.
• 8+ years in progressive quality engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong automotive quality experience and knowledge of IATF 16949.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor others.
• Excellent problem-solving and data-analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex quality engineering activities involving products, processes, tooling, and changes.
• Apply root-cause analysis to investigate significant internal, customer, and supplier quality issues.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective actions addressing root causes.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead initiatives to reduce defects, scrap, rework, and customer complaints.
• Provide technical direction during launches, transitions, and equipment changes.
• Coordinate quality documentation and approvals for new and changed products.

Skills

Quality engineering

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing

Tools

IATF 16949

ISO 9001

APQP/PPAP

MSA/Gage R&R

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description

Why This Role Matters

This position is scheduled to begin in January 2027, creating an opportunity for GRC to strengthen its quality engineering capabilities and support continued improvement across the organization.

The Quality Engineer III plays a critical role in protecting product quality, supporting customer satisfaction, and driving continuous improvement at GRC. This senior-level position leads complex quality engineering activities, investigates significant quality issues, and ensures products and processes meet customer requirements and applicable quality standards.

The role serves as a senior technical resource for manufacturing, customers, suppliers, and the Quality team. Through advanced problem-solving, data analysis, corrective action, and quality system expertise, the Quality Engineer III helps reduce defects, scrap, rework, customer complaints, and quality costs. This position also provides technical guidance and mentoring to Quality personnel, with the opportunity to take on broader Quality leadership responsibilities as the business needs evolve.

What You'll Do

Quality Engineering & Process Improvement

• Lead complex quality engineering activities involving products, manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and process changes.

• Apply structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis to investigate significant internal, customer, and supplier quality issues.

• Develop, implement, and verify corrective actions that address root causes and prevent recurring problems.

• Analyze quality and process data to identify trends, variation, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.

• Lead initiatives to reduce defects, scrap, rework, customer complaints, and overall quality costs.

• Conduct advanced process capability studies and measurement system evaluations for critical product and process characteristics.

• Provide technical direction during product launches, production transitions, and significant process or equipment changes.

APQP, PPAP & Quality Planning

• Lead complex Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities.

• Develop and review PFMEAs/FMEAs, Control Plans, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and other quality planning documentation.

• Support validation, risk assessments, and process capability requirements for new and changed products, processes, tooling, and equipment.

• Ensure quality requirements are addressed throughout product development, launch, and ongoing production.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify potential quality risks and implement appropriate controls before issues impact production or customers.

• Support customer-specific quality requirements and ensure appropriate documentation and approvals are completed.

Customer & Supplier Quality

• Lead or support complex customer and supplier quality concerns, including containment, investigations, corrective actions, PPAPs, and technical discussions.

• Communicate professionally with customers and suppliers regarding quality issues, corrective actions, risks, and resolution plans.

• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to resolve quality concerns and prevent repeat issues.

• Evaluate supplier performance and help drive corrective actions and improvement initiatives.

• Escalate significant quality risks and communicate the potential impact, recommended actions, and resolution status.

• Support customer audits, quality reviews, and other activities requiring technical quality expertise.

Quality Systems, Audits & Reporting

• Support and help maintain GRC's Quality Management System, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements, procedures, and records.

• Participate in and lead assigned internal, customer, certification, and Quality Management System audits.

• Coordinate corrective actions for audit findings and verify effective closure.

• Analyze and report quality performance indicators, including customer complaints, PPM, scrap, corrective actions, supplier performance, and audit findings.

• Support Management Review and communicate quality performance, significant risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership.

• Ensure quality documentation and processes support applicable standards and customer expectations.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Mentoring

• Serve as a senior technical resource for Quality personnel and cross-functional teams.

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors/Technicians, and other employees on quality tools, problem-solving, customer requirements, and quality system expectations.

• Lead cross-functional teams during significant quality or production issues and help establish priorities.

• Provide work direction to Quality personnel and other team members when assigned.

• Exercise independent judgment when evaluating quality risks, making technical decisions, and determining when escalation is necessary.

• Provide backup support for site Quality leadership responsibilities when requested.

• Communicate quality activities, risks, corrective actions, and results to the Director of Operations and Global Quality Manager.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Lead or support quality improvement projects that improve product quality, process capability, delivery performance, and cost.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen quality systems, manufacturing processes, supplier performance, and customer satisfaction.

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, suppliers, and other departments to implement sustainable improvements.

• Follow corrective actions and improvement initiatives through completion and verify their effectiveness.

• Demonstrate the technical expertise, accountability, communication, and leadership capabilities needed to support potential advancement into future Quality leadership responsibilities.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field , with at least 8 years of progressive quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• Strong experience in automotive manufacturing and quality engineering.

• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific quality requirements.

• Strong understanding of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA/FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA/Gage R&R, process capability, GD&T, and structured corrective-action methods.

• Ability to independently investigate complex quality issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.

• Strong analytical, statistical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively with customers, suppliers, employees, and leadership.

• Ability to evaluate quality risks, make sound technical decisions, and elevate significant concerns appropriately.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor others, provide technical guidance, and support broader Quality leadership responsibilities.

What Sets You Apart

• Experience leading complex APQP and PPAP activities from product development through production.

• Strong background in automotive customer-specific requirements and customer quality management.

• Experience leading significant customer and supplier corrective actions.

• Advanced knowledge of root-cause analysis, structured problem-solving, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 audits, Quality Management Systems, and audit corrective actions.

• Expertise in SPC, MSA/Gage R&R, process capability studies, and statistical analysis.

• Experience mentoring Quality Engineers, Inspectors, Technicians, and other manufacturing personnel.

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership during launches, major quality concerns, and production disruptions.

• Interest and capability in taking on broader site Quality responsibilities and growing into a future Quality leadership role.

What You'll Get

• Competitive pay based on experience.

• Stable, growing company with long-term career opportunities.

• Collaborative and supportive team environment.

• Opportunity to work directly with customers, suppliers, manufacturing, engineering, and company leadership.

• Opportunity to lead meaningful quality initiatives that improve customer satisfaction, product quality, and manufacturing performance.

• Opportunity to develop technical expertise and demonstrate leadership capabilities for future career advancement.

• A company that values integrity, accountability, lasting relationships, curiosity, and celebrating our culture.

Work Environment

This position works in both a professional office environment and manufacturing areas. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. Noise levels in the work environment may range from low to moderate.

The role regularly requires the use of hands to handle tools, objects, or controls and frequently requires reaching with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 10 pounds.

Safety glasses, enclosed-toe shoes, and other required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in designated production areas.