Quality Manager for Vehicle Process Engineering GAPE

Stellantis NV; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis NV in Auburn, Alabama, invites applications for the Manager, Vehicle Process Engineering. The role leads the development and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes to ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient vehicle production.

This position owns PFMEA, station launch readiness, and cross-functional collaboration with Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production, and Launch teams to mitigate risks and enable flawless product launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience within automotive or vehicle manufacturing.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading PFMEA development and governance.
• Proven experience supporting vehicle launches and Start of Production (SOP).
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, and AIAG/VDA Core Tools.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead PFMEA development and governance for all vehicle assembly processes.
• Own station launches readiness for new vehicle programs and major process changes.
• Develop and drive launch readiness plans ensuring stations meet quality, safety, tooling, and operational requirements prior to production.
• Lead manufacturing readiness reviews, process validation activities, and production trials.
• Coordinate issue resolution during pilot builds and launch events to achieve SOP.
• Track launch metrics and drive closure of open issues before production milestones.

Job description

Manager, Vehicle Process Engineering is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes that ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient vehicle production. This role owns the Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) process and is accountable for station launch readiness across all vehicle manufacturing operations. The manager leads a team of process engineers to deliver robust manufacturing processes, mitigate production risks, and achieve flawless product launches while meeting safety, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Process Readiness Qualification "MPRQ"

• Manage quality teams to perform Stellantis MPRQ process from Initial milestone to Start of production.

PFMEA Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and governance of PFMEAs for all vehicle assembly processes.
• Ensure PFMEAs are completed, maintained, and updated throughout product and process lifecycle changes.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to identify manufacturing risks and implement effective mitigation plans.
• Verify alignment between PFMEAs, Control Plans, Standardized Work, and Quality documentation.
• Monitor high-risk failure modes and ensure corrective and preventive actions are effectively implemented.
• Champion continuous improvement of PFMEA methodology using AIAG & VDA standards and industry best practices.

Station Launch Readiness

• Own station launches readiness for new vehicle programs and major process changes.
• Develop and execute launch readiness plans, ensuring manufacturing stations meet all quality, safety, tooling, and operational requirements prior to production.
• Lead manufacturing readiness reviews, process validation activities, and production trials.
• Ensure all stations meet cycle time, ergonomic, safety, quality, and throughput requirements.
• Coordinate issue resolution during pilot builds and launch events to achieve successful Start of Production (SOP).
• Track launch metrics and drive closure of open issues before production milestones.

Process Engineering Leadership

• Establish standardized manufacturing processes across vehicle assembly operations.
• Drive manufacturing process capability improvements using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
• Ensure compliance with corporate manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production, Maintenance, Supplier Quality, and Launch teams.
• Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews during vehicle development.
• Participate in APQP, PPAP, and launch readiness activities.
• Communicate manufacturing risks and mitigation plans to senior leadership.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyze production data to identify process improvements.
• Lead root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, etc.).
• Reduce defects, improve first-time-through quality, and enhance manufacturing efficiency.
• Drive lessons learned from launches into future vehicle programs.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• PFMEA completion and compliance rate.
• Station launch readiness achievement versus program milestones.
• First-Time-Through (FTT) quality.
• Launch quality performance (R/1000, defects per vehicle).
• Manufacturing process capability (Cp/Cpk).
• Equipment and station readiness prior to SOP.
• Reduction in launch-related manufacturing issues.
• Safety, quality, cost, and delivery performance metrics.
• Continuous improvement savings and productivity gains.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong people leadership and coaching skills.
• Excellent project and program management abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Results-oriented with a focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing plant environment with frequent shop floor presence.
• Occasional domestic and international travel to support supplier and plant launch activities.
• Ability to support off-shift production trials and launch events as required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience within automotive or vehicle manufacturing.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading PFMEA development and governance.
• Proven experience supporting vehicle launches and Start of Production (SOP).
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, and AIAG/VDA Core Tools.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Expert knowledge of vehicle assembly manufacturing processes.
• Experience with launch readiness planning and manufacturing validation.
• Knowledge of ergonomic analysis, standardized work, and cycle time optimization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and engineering software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred
• Familiarity with MES, manufacturing data systems, and engineering documentation tools.