Senior Quality Engineer

American Rheinmetall; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rheinmetall in Plymouth, Michigan is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to support new product development and manufacturing with a focus on quality assurance. You will drive APQP activities, assist with PPAP, FAI, MSA, and control plans, and mentor the quality team while interfacing with customers and suppliers to ensure compliance with standards.

The role emphasizes process improvement, corrective actions, and extensive documentation to support launches and ongoing production.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of related experience in quality or equivalent, with ASQ certification preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of SPC, GD&T understanding is beneficial.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and apply quality methods.
• Experience with APQP/PPAP, FAI, MSA, and control plans is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains relationships with customer, internal and supplier contacts.
• Leads quality teams and mentors junior members.
• Supports adherence to quality management systems and documentation.
• Participates in APQP process and reviews contracts for customer requirements.
• Applies SPC tools, coordinates measurement evaluations (FAI, Gage R&R, MSA).
• Leads CAPA teams to resolve customer, supplier, and production issues.
• Creates and manages quality documentation (CA/CB, PPAP, FAI, etc.).
• Trains inspectors and instructs on product characteristics and quality.

Skills

Quality engineering

APQP

SPC

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Associates degree in Quality

Bachelor’s in Quality/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Gage R&R

Plex workflow

Job description

American Rheinmetall is a leader in the design, development, and production of advanced tracked and wheeled vehicles, vehicle systems, and critical components that support U.S. military modernization. Our expertise spans electronic and mechanical systems, fabricated structures, armored products, rubber solutions, and track systems, delivering reliable innovation to both defense and commercial markets at the speed of need. As part of the global Rheinmetall family, we combine proven heritage with forward‑looking technology to provide solutions that defend and feed the world.

Job Summary:

The Senior Quality Engineer supports new product/process development and manufacturing through the application of quality engineering techniques. This person will handle multiple projects and tasks throughout product development, product launch, and manufacturing. Additionally, this individual will ensure that the product meets quality standards consistent with customer and other regulatory requirements. The Senior Quality Engineer will represent the organization and interface with the customer on a regular basis. This role also supports plant activities in customer issues, and supplier issues, and initiates corrective actions with an emphasis on process improvement.

Location: Plymouth, Michigan

Essential Functions:

• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with customer, internal and supplier contacts.
• Liaise with customer and supplier manufacturing facilities to ensure processes are followed and the products meet customer specifications.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the quality team and mentor junior team members.
• Provide support in adhering to the quality management systems.
• Creating and maintaining company documentation, such as quality documents, procedures, and work instructions
• Participate in the APQP process for assigned projects/parts with a cross‑functional group to review; contracts, drawings, process routings, purchase orders, work instructions, and various related production and development plans to achieve all customer quality requirements.
• Responsible for reviewing contracts assigned for customer‑specific requirements.
• Responsible for keeping assigned Plex workflow actions current.
• Determines the metrics/product characteristics that will be inspected.
• Determines the methods/devices that will be used for inspection.
• Collaborates with Manufacturing Engineer/s to assess the critical product characteristics that will be measured.
• Applies statistical process control (SPC) tools and methods as required.
• Assists qualification of new products/launch activities
• Prepares appropriate documentation for product inspection, and sample submissions (PPAP, FAI, FMEAs, Control Plans, Check Sheets, Quality Alerts, etc.)
• Conducts/coordinates measurement evaluations and/or tests (FAI, Gage R&R, MSA)
• Lead and participate in Corrective / Preventive Action teams to resolve customer, supplier, and production concerns.
• Work with appropriate representatives to eliminate defects using tools such as root cause and corrective actions, lean techniques, A3s, countermeasures, Six Sigma, poka‑yoke, and/or error‑proofing.
• Maintains a working knowledge of government, customer, and industry standards and specifications.
• Communicate significant issues identified during quality activities and provide recommended process improvements to team and management.
• Participate as a Material Review Board member to review and establish a timely disposition of Non‑Conforming Material and ensure controls are in place to verify any rework performed.
• Participate in audits of the Core Processes, implement Corrective Actions, and recommend process improvements.
• Support and instruct inspectors as well as create work instructions.
• Trains associates on key characteristics of the product to improve awareness of product quality.
• Participate in & and initiate continual improvement activities.
• Complete Customer submissions/uploads and create Certificate of Conformance certs for the product.
• Perform quality‑related activities for ECN/PCR assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

To successfully perform this role, the individual must have a minimum ten (10) years related experience and/or training; certification through ASQ (American Society for Quality) or equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional education and/or experience includes skills in problem‑solving and analysis, knowledge in the use and application of statistical process control, capability of reading and interpreting drawings, ability to use and understand GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), ability to use all handheld and surface plate measurement devices, computer skills (including MS Office suite of products).

Education:

Associate Degree in Quality / Bachelor’s Degree in Quality, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

Background Prerequisites:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks and controlled substance testing.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications, such as relevant experience, education, or certifications, are valued but not required.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

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

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.