Quality Engineering Manager

Rheinmetall; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rheinmetall in Auburn Hills, MI seeks a Quality Engineering Manager to lead the quality engineering team and drive APQP processes across product development, engineering, and manufacturing.

The role emphasizes ensuring AS9100 compliance, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, data-driven improvements, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet readiness and customer requirements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in quality engineering with focus on APQP processes as per AS9145.
• Solid understanding of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and industry standards, particularly in aerospace and defense sectors.
• Knowledge and experience working with ISO 9001 and AS9100 Standards.
• Knowledge of systems based design and related Standards/Processes.
• Strong CI experience with proven implementation results.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to drive root cause analysis.
• Strong communication skills for complex information to internal and external customers.
• Familiarity with US DoD processes for vehicle development and acquisition.
• Hands-on experience with ability to operate independently and collaborate across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing quality engineering team focused on quality excellence.
• Foster cross-department collaboration to achieve quality objectives.
• Oversee APQP implementation in line with AS9145 and ensure quality in the vehicle development process.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to define quality requirements, timelines, and deliverables.
• Develop and manage PPAP documentation to validate product quality against customer specs.
• Manage PFMEA execution to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Create and maintain control plans for critical processes and product integrity.
• Collaborate to establish timelines for vehicle builds and quality milestones.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve quality issues with corrective and preventive actions.
• Utilize quality metrics and KPIs to drive data-driven decisions.
• Lead quality reviews and audits per internal standards and industry regulations.
• Develop and update documentation across departments per AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Lead or participate in AS9100 audits (internal, surveillance, and registration).
• Support safety and environmental regulations and policies.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Quality Director.

Skills

APQP

Quality leadership

QMS

Continuous improvement

PFMEA

PPAP

AS9100

Minitab/JMP

Communication

German language (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality or Business Administration

Tools

Minitab

JMP

QMS software

AS9145 knowledge

Job description

Quality Engineering Manager leads the quality engineering team in the implementation of Advanced Quality Planning (APQP) requirements. Provides strong leadership in overseeing quality assurance processes throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring compliance with industry standards while championing continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires a combination of technical expertise and leadership acumen, along with a steadfast commitment to quality excellence. Key responsibilities include guiding the development and enhancement of comprehensive business processes that support effective product development, engineering, and manufacturing. The manager will be tasked with identifying challenges, analyzing issues and opportunities, measuring processes, and driving structured changes to enhance operations, all to support our ambitious business growth objectives. This position is pivotal in fostering a culture of quality and innovation within the organization.

Essential Functions

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing quality engineering team, promoting a culture of quality excellence and accountability
• Foster collaboration within the team and across departments to achieve quality objectives
• Oversee the implementation and execution of APQP processes in line with the AS9145 standard, ensuring quality is embedded throughout the vehicle development process
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to define quality requirements, project timelines, and deliverables
• Develop and manage comprehensive Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation to validate product quality and ensure compliance with customer specifications
• Manage team execution of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to ensure proactive identification and mitigation of potential risks in product and process design
• Create and maintain control plans to monitor critical processes and ensure product integrity throughout the manufacturing cycle
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain timelines for vehicle builds, ensuring all quality milestones are met
• Identify, analyze, and resolve quality related issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions to drive continuous improvement
• Utilize quality metrics and KPIs to measure performance and facilitate data-driven decision making
• Facilitate and participate in regular quality reviews and audits to ensure compliance with both internal standards and industry regulations
• Develop and update Documentation and Procedures across all departments in accordance with AS9100 & Customer Specific Requirements
• Lead / participate in AS9100 internal, surveillance, and registration audits
• Support and adhere to all company safety and environmental regulations & policies
• Undertake other duties as determined by the Quality Director or his/her delegate

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages quality engineers and other department personnel

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as demonstrated through experience, training and/or testing)

• Extensive experience in quality engineering with a focus on APQP processes as per AS9145
• Solid understanding of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and industry standards, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors
• Knowledge and experience working with ISO 9001 and AS9100 Standards
• Knowledge of Systems based design and related Standards/Processes
• Solid understanding of Continuous Improvement with proven track record of implementation
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to internal and external customers
• Familiarity of the US DoD process and procedures for vehicle development and acquisition.
• Practical “hands on” experience with the ability to operate independently
• Must promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across the organization and its external service providers. Must be tactful, diplomatic, and work with integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
• Customer Oriented: Must display exceptional listening and analytical skills in order to understand customer concerns and needs with the ability to respond promptly and effectively to those needs.
• High level of self-motivation and standards with the ability to multi-task; balancing "analysis" with "doing". Must be adaptable and able to prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Work on own initiative.
• Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies including 8D, Six Sigma, SPC, MSA, and root cause analysis techniques
• Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS) software and data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP) preferred

Education

• Bachelors in Engineering, Quality or Business Administration

Experience

• 10 or more years of relevant manufacturing experience
• 10 or more years of leadership / supervisory / managerial experience
• Experience of working in a multi-national, multi-organizational and corporate environment
• Experience with quality, engineering and supply chain management in a highly regulated industry
• Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks and controlled substance testing.
• All employment at American Rheinmetall is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance if the position requires it.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with bid capture, contract negotiations and delivery planning desired
• Ability to speak German desired

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:

• For physical requirements, indicate Rarely, Occasionally, Frequently, or Continuously where possible
  • Rarely: exists, but not on a regular basis
  • Occasionally: <33% of the time (just over 2.5 hrs/day)
  • Frequently: >34% but less than 66% of the time (2.72 – 5.28 hrs)
  • Continuously: 67-100% of the time (5.36 – 8 hrs)
  • Highly repetitive: repeating the same motion every few seconds with little or no variation for >2 hrs total/day)
• Hazards, tasks, PPE, ergonomic concerns, travel requirements, workspace (close proximity to others)
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

American Rheinmetall provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.