Warranty Engineer

Brembo North America; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent automotive manufacturer in Plymouth, Michigan is seeking a Warranty Engineer / Coatings Specialist. This role involves leading warranty analysis, investigating failures, and driving corrective actions related to brake components. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and over 5 years of experience in automotive quality or coatings engineering, with strong knowledge of coatings chemistry and data analysis skills. This position offers opportunities for continuous improvement and risk mitigation in product quality.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in automotive quality, warranty, or coatings engineering.
• Knowledge of coatings chemistry and durability testing.
• Experience with IATF 16949 and automotive core tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead warranty analysis and corrective action management.
• Support OEM technical discussions and escalations.
• Identify recurring failure modes and preventive strategies.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Coatings chemistry knowledge

Corrosion mechanisms understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

5+ years in automotive quality, warranty, or coatings engineering

Job description

Warranty Engineer / Coatings Specialist – Automotive Brake Systems

Location: Brembo Corporate – Plymouth, Michigan

Reports To: Director of Quality - BNA

Department: Quality

Position Overview

The Warranty Engineer / Coatings Specialist leads warranty analysis, failure investigation, and corrective action management for brake system components, with specialized expertise in coatings performance and durability. This role bridges field performance, manufacturing process capability, supplier controls, and OEM customer interface to reduce warranty exposure, protect brand reputation, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Warranty Performance Ownership

• Support/Participate warranty reviews with customers.
• Negotiate with customers (warranty claims and unauthorized charges) to decrease warranty financial costs.
• Monitor and manage Technical Factor percentages (TF%) with all customers to ensure unwarranted increases are eliminated.
• Lead end-to-end investigation of coatings-related warranty failures.
• Analyze warranty data trends and quantify/mitigate financial impact.
• Drive structured 8D investigations and corrective action validation.

Coatings Technical Expertise

• Serve as subject matter expert for coatings processes on brake components.
• Evaluate pretreatment, curing cycles, thickness control, and durability testing.
• Support corrosion and adhesion lab testing analysis.

OEM & Customer Interface

• Support OEM technical discussions and escalations.
• Prepare data-driven summaries and recovery plans.
• Participate in customer audits related to coatings performance.

Cross-Functional & Supplier Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing and Suppliers on corrective actions.
• Support supplier recovery and chargeback activities.
• Update PFMEA and Control Plans related to coatings processes.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Mitigation

• Identify recurring failure modes and preventive strategies.
• Improve warranty analytics dashboards.
• Reduce COPQ associated with coatings defects.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field OR equivalent combination of education and automotive industry experience.
• 5+ years in automotive quality, warranty, or coatings engineering.
• Knowledge of coatings chemistry, corrosion mechanisms, and durability testing.
• Experience with IATF 16949 and automotive core tools.
• Strong data analysis and communication skills.

Preferred

• Advanced degree or equivalent advanced industry expertise.
• Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).
• Experience with brake systems or high-performance components.