Quality Expert Operations

Webasto Americas; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Webasto Americas is seeking a Quality Engineer to lead customer-facing quality activities across projects from launch to series production. You will own 8D problem-solving, coordinate APQP/PPAP, and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams at the Lexington plant.

The role emphasizes strong root-cause analysis, process audits, and proactive quality assurance with travel to customer sites as needed. Automotive quality experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of quality experience in a manufacturing environment (senior level).
• Experience leading the response to a product safety incident and coordinating investigations.
• Strong knowledge of the 8D methodology and structured problem-solving tools.
• Customer-facing quality experience and experience submitting information through customer portals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary plant contact for customers on quality topics from project launch through series production.
• Lead the response to product safety incidents, coordinating containment, investigation, communication, corrective actions, and follow-up across internal teams and customer locations.
• Manage customer complaints and quality claims through timely resolution, using the 8D methodology and other structured problem-solving tools to identify and eliminate root causes.
• Conduct internal and external process audits to evaluate compliance with established processes, customer requirements, and quality standards, and ensure corrective actions are effective.
• Create and maintain control plans, test instructions, quality documentation, and customer portal submissions to support production and customer requirements.
• Coordinate APQP, PPAP, initial sampling, requalification testing, capability studies, FMEA activities, and product and process releases.
• Monitor quality targets and analyze performance data using statistical tools, working cross-functionally to improve quality results and reduce defects and failure costs.
• Support customers at their manufacturing locations as needed, which may include regular customer visits and occasional travel.

Skills

Quality Engineer

8D methodology

Root cause analysis

APQP

PPAP

Statistical analysis

Customer-facing

Process audits

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Quality or related field

Job description

Make individual mobility more enjoyable and sustainable by advancing technology and people – As one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide, Webasto actively shapes the transformation of the industry through expertise and forward-thinking solutions. Our goal is to make mobility a full sensory experience, working toward more comfort, wind in your hair, the perfect temperature in any season, and driving with a clear conscience – for a safe and sustainable future. We bring joy to mobility – are you in?

You can look forward to these exciting tasks

• Serve as the primary plant contact for customers on quality-related topics from project launch through series production, building strong relationships and responding to customer concerns
• Lead the response to product safety incidents, coordinating containment, investigation, communication, corrective actions, and follow-up across internal teams and customer locations
• Manage customer complaints and quality claims through timely resolution, using the 8D methodology and other structured problem-solving tools to identify and eliminate root causes
• Conduct internal and external process audits to evaluate compliance with established processes, customer requirements, and quality standards, and ensure corrective actions are effective
• Create and maintain control plans, test instructions, quality documentation, and customer portal submissions to support production and customer requirements
• Coordinate APQP, PPAP, initial sampling, requalification testing, capability studies, FMEA activities, and product and process releases
• Monitor quality targets and analyze performance data using statistical tools, working cross-functionally to improve quality results and reduce defects and failure costs
• Support customers at their manufacturing locations as needed, which may include regular customer visits and occasional travel

This is what you bring to us

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience; automotive quality experience is preferred but not required
• Experience working in a Quality Engineer role within a manufacturing environment; 5 or more years of relevant quality experience is preferred for senior-level consideration
• Demonstrated experience leading the response to a product safety incident, including coordinating the investigation, containment, communication, and corrective-action process
• Strong knowledge of the 8D methodology and other structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis tools
• Customer-facing quality experience, including supporting customers at their manufacturing locations, managing customer relationships, and resolving quality concerns
• Experience navigating and submitting information through multiple customer quality portals
• Experience auditing compliance with established processes, identifying gaps, and driving corrective actions through completion
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, capability studies, statistical analysis, and applicable quality management systems and customer-specific requirements

Applications from qualified individuals with disabilities are expressly welcome.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Webasto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status.