Quality Engineer – Quality Center

Sl America Corporation; Clinton (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sl America Corporation is seeking an experienced Quality Engineer to provide advanced technical quality support within the Quality Center. You will investigate complex quality issues, lead corrective actions, and coordinate between U.S. operations and global teams to drive containment and improvement.

Responsibilities include root-cause analysis, 8D reports, APQP/PPAP activities, and mentoring junior staff on problem-solving methods. Some domestic/international travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years automotive/manufacturing quality engineering or related technical experience.
• Structured problem solving (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone) experience.
• Knowledge of automotive quality tools: APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, IATF 16949.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, data, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support investigation of complex product, process, supplier, and customer quality concerns.
• Perform structured root-cause analysis and develop containment, corrective, and preventive actions.
• Support rapid response to line disruptions, customer complaints, repeat defects, launch issues, and high-risk quality events.
• Coordinate technical communication between U.S. teams and global engineering/quality/supplier teams.
• Prepare and review 8D reports and related technical documentation.
• Train and mentor Quality Center personnel on products, processes, diagnostics, and structured problem-solving techniques.

Skills

Structured problem solving

8D problem solving

5 Whys

Fishbone analysis

Data analysis

Corrective action

Verification of effectiveness

Cross-cultural communication

Knowledge transfer

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related discipline

Tools

APQP

PPAP

PFMEA

Control Plans

SPC

MSA

IATF 16949

Job description

Provide advanced technical quality and problem-solving support within the Quality Center, including complex issue investigation, corrective action, supplier/customer coordination, and transfer of technical knowledge between U.S. operations and global engineering/quality teams. This role is intended as a technical assignment; expatriate status is an assignment designation and not a qualification for the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead or support investigation of complex product, process, supplier, and customer quality concerns.
• Perform structured root-cause analysis and develop technically sound containment, corrective, and preventive actions.
• Support rapid response to line disruptions, customer complaints, repeat defects, launch issues, and high-risk quality events.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, measurement results, process data, defect samples, and manufacturing conditions to identify failure mechanisms.
• Coordinate technical communication and issue resolution between U.S. teams and applicable global engineering, quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Support transfer of product/process knowledge, lessons learned, standards, and technical expectations to U.S. Quality Center personnel.
• Support supplier corrective-action activity, technical reviews, onsite investigations, and verification of corrective-action effectiveness.
• Prepare and review 8D reports, problem-solving documentation, technical reports, and customer/supplier responses.
• Support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, process change, launch, and engineering-change activities as assigned.
• Participate in audits, customer reviews, warranty/field issue analysis, and special quality projects.
• Train and mentor Quality Center personnel on products, processes, diagnostic methods, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Escalate unresolved technical risks and recurring quality issues to the Quality Center Manager and Purchasing Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Typically 5+ years of automotive/manufacturing quality engineering, process engineering, supplier quality, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated experience with structured problem solving, 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, data analysis, corrective action, and verification of effectiveness.
• Knowledge of automotive quality tools and requirements, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and IATF 16949 preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, measurement data, and manufacturing process information.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and technical knowledge-transfer skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Physical / Work Environment

Work is performed in office and automotive manufacturing environments. The role may require extended periods on the production floor, use of required PPE, walking/standing, and occasional travel to supplier, customer, or other SL locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.