Quality Systems Engineer

Adient plc; Holland, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Adient plc in Lakewood is seeking a Quality Systems Engineer/Coordinator to support and continuously improve the plant's QMS, ensuring IATF 16949 and BOS standards are met.

The role leads audits, BOS administration, and documentation control, with emphasis on training, cross-functional collaboration, and driving operational excellence in automotive seating manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• 5+ years in Quality Technician/Engineer roles.
• Automotive manufacturing experience required.
• ASQ Certified Internal Auditor preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate LPA and ELPA audits and reporting.
• Maintain and improve the QMS for IATF 16949 compliance.
• Lead internal audits and BOS administration.
• Prepare and review BOS change proposals.
• Support customer-specific quality requirements.
• Provide BOS training and cross-functional support.

Skills

Quality systems

Audit coordination

Root cause analysis

Documentation control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

QMS software

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Quality Systems Engineer / Quality Systems Coordinator is responsible for supporting, maintaining, and continuously improving the plant's Quality Management System (QMS) while ensuring compliance with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, and Adient Business Operating System (BOS) standards. This role serves as the primary point of contact for quality system audits, internal audit coordination, BOS administration, and continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence and customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will possess strong quality systems expertise, audit experience, analytical problem-solving skills, and a solid understanding of automotive manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Systems Management

Serve as the primary coordinator, trainer, and reporting lead for the LPA (Layered Process Audit) and ELPA processes. Maintain and continuously improve the plant Quality Management System (QMS). Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 requirements, customer-specific requirements, and BOS standards. Act as the main point of contact for IATF certification activities and lead facility audits. Support all month-end quality reporting and departmental requirements. Lead plant-level internal audits and coordinate all internal audit activities. Function as the primary point of contact for BOS administration and compliance. Submit and coordinate BOS change proposals. Review, communicate, and implement BOS updates across all levels of plant personnel and leadership. Perform all duties and responsibilities defined within BOS policies and procedures.

Documentation & Compliance

Develop, revise, and maintain local procedures, work instructions, and quality documentation to ensure compliance with BOS and customer requirements. Administer and maintain document control systems. Manage BOS document numbering and record retention requirements. Control external documentation and ensure documentation compliance. Support process definition and standardization initiatives. Maintain process mapping documentation and audit workbooks. Ensure internal auditor qualification requirements are met and maintained.

Customer & Quality Management Responsibilities

Support customer satisfaction initiatives and customer-specific requirements. Monitor and improve key quality performance indicators (KPIs). Utilize customer-specific systems to meet reporting and compliance requirements. Support Production Quality Deliverables and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Perform responsibilities in accordance with company quality policies and procedures.

Training & Leadership

Provide SharePoint administrative training and support as required. Train employees and leadership on BOS requirements, quality systems, and process changes. Support plant cross-functional teams (CFTs) and collaborate across departments. Complete all required company and customer-mandated training programs. Demonstrate knowledge of key plant contacts, responsibilities, and quality-related functions. Maintain awareness of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Environmental (EHSE) systems and requirements.

Safety Responsibilities

Promote and maintain a safe, efficient, and compliant work environment. Coordinate with Human Resources and Manufacturing Engineering to establish and maintain safe operating procedures. Support accident prevention initiatives and contribute to maintaining an injury‑free workplace. Ensure safety expectations are integrated into all quality and operational activities.

Additional Duties

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Quality Manager. Exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making in situations where procedures may not be fully defined or standardized. Support operational excellence initiatives and continuous improvement efforts throughout the facility.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering required (candidates currently pursuing a degree may be considered). Equivalent combination of education and applicable experience may be considered where appropriate.

Quality Systems Knowledge

Demonstrated experience and formal training in:

• IATF 16949
• ISO/TS 16949
• Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Total Quality Management (TQM)
• PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
• FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
• Control Plans
• DOE (Design of Experiments)
• SPC (Statistical Process Control)
• MSA (Measurement System Analysis)

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a Quality Technician and/or Quality Engineer role.

Previous experience in a Quality Systems position is required.

Manufacturing experience is required.

Automotive Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 supplier experience preferred.

High-volume manufacturing experience preferred.

Minimum of 3 years of automotive manufacturing experience preferred.

Automotive seating mechanism experience strongly preferred.

Experience with welding processes (GMAW and Laser) preferred.

Experience with assembly manufacturing processes preferred.

Certifications

Certified Internal Auditor certification required. ASQ Certification preferred.

Technical Skills

Strong Microsoft Office proficiency.

Ability to quickly learn and utilize new software applications.

Ability to create visual aids and presentation materials for communication and training purposes.

Strong computer literacy and systems proficiency.

Technical Competencies

Ability to read and interpret: Safety rules Engineering drawings and blueprints GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) Procedure manuals and technical documentation Strong analytical and root cause problem-solving skills. Working knowledge of SPC techniques and statistical applications. Strong understanding of DOE and MSA methodologies. Ability to interpret and execute written, verbal, and diagram-based instructions. Excellent organizational and time management skills. Strong customer focus and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

ASQ certification.

Automotive seating systems experience.

Experience in welding operations (GMAW and Laser).

Advanced quality systems and auditing experience within automotive manufacturing environments.

Demonstrated success leading quality system improvements and audit readiness initiatives.

Work Environment

This position requires the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while supporting multiple priorities and stakeholders. Certain responsibilities may not be fully described within this document and may require independent judgment and initiative. This job description outlines the essential duties and responsibilities of the role but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job functions. Adient reserves the right to modify, amend, or delete job responsibilities as business needs require.

PRIMARY LOCATION

Lakewood Adient (NYSE: ADNT) is a global leader in automotive seating. With more than 65,000 employees in 29 countries, Adient operates ~200 manufacturing/assembly plants worldwide. We produce and deliver automotive seating for all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat-making process. We take our products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing — and into millions of vehicles every year. For more information, please visit www.adient.com.