Senior Quality Engineer

Prestolite Electric, Leece-Neville North America; Town of Arcade (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Prestolite Electric, Leece-Neville North America is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality improvements across manufacturing, suppliers, and customers. You will drive corrective actions, APQP activities, PFMEA reviews, and PPAP submissions while mentoring junior engineers.

Join a team focused on reducing defects, improving process capability, and ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 standards, with opportunities to partner across Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or related field.
• Minimum 5–8 years of quality engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 quality systems.
• Proven success leading complex root cause investigations and corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause analysis investigations using 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, FTA and structured tools.
• Facilitate containment, corrective and preventive actions for internal, supplier, and customer issues.
• Analyze quality performance metrics for process and product improvements.
• Support new product launches via APQP, PFMEA reviews, control plans, and PPAP.
• Lead resolution of customer complaints and warranty issues with timely actions.
• Conduct process audits and quality system audits for compliance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to reduce variation and defects.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation (control plans, work instructions, procedures).
• Work with suppliers to resolve quality concerns and drive improvements.
• Monitor KPI data including PPM, scrap, rework, and customer scorecards.

Skills

Quality core tools

Structured problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Statistical data analysis

Excel/Office skills

ERP knowledge

Quality systems knowledge

Communication skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

ERP systems

Quality management software

Job description

The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for leading quality improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations, suppliers, and customer-facing quality issues. This position serves as a technical leader for problem-solving activities, drives corrective and preventive actions, and ensures compliance with customer-specific requirements, ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and company quality standards. The Senior Quality Engineer partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Customers to improve product quality, reduce defects, and drive continuous improvement.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead root cause analysis investigations utilizing methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, and other structured problem-solving tools.
• Facilitate containment, corrective action, and preventive action activities for internal, supplier, and customer quality issues.
• Analyze quality performance metrics and identify opportunities for process and product improvements.
• Support new product launches through APQP activities, PFMEA reviews, control plan development, process validation, and PPAP submissions.
• Lead resolution of customer complaints and warranty issues, ensuring timely responses and effective corrective actions.
• Conduct process audits, layered process audits, and quality system audits to ensure compliance with established requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to improve process capability, reduce variation, and eliminate defects.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation including control plans, inspection standards, work instructions, and quality procedures.
• Work with suppliers to resolve quality concerns, conduct supplier audits, and drive supplier performance improvements.
• Analyze statistical data and implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies as appropriate.
• Support customer visits, audits, and quality reviews.
• Monitor and report key quality performance indicators including PPM, scrap, rework, warranty claims, and customer scorecards.
• Facilitate continuous improvement projects utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
• Assist in training personnel on quality requirements, methodologies, and customer-specific expectations.
• Support Management Review activities and participate in strategic quality planning initiatives.
• Mentor junior quality engineers and quality technicians.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.

Experience

• Minimum 5-8 years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive, commercial vehicle, or heavy-duty manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience working within ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 quality management systems.
• Demonstrated success leading complex root cause investigations and corrective action activities.
• Experience with customer quality management and supplier quality development.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong understanding of Quality Core Tools:
  • APQP
  • PPAP
  • PFMEA
  • Control Plans
  • SPC
  • MSA
• Proficiency with structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Knowledge of GD&T, drawing interpretation, and engineering specifications.
• Strong statistical analysis and data interpretation capabilities.
• Working knowledge of ERP and quality management systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Office skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive accountability.
• Customer-focused with strong attention to detail and urgency.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Lead Auditor certification for ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949.
• Experience working directly with major automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
• Experience with warranty analysis and field failure investigations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in manufacturing and office environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.