Position Summary
The Senior Quality Engineer leads quality assurance, quality systems, and continuous improvement within an IATF 16949-certified precision manufacturing environment. This role ensures compliance with customer requirements, industry standards, and internal quality systems while driving defect prevention, process capability improvement, and operational excellence. It also serves as a key technical liaison between customers, suppliers, engineering, production, and management to resolve quality issues, support new product launches, and ensure consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Include, but are not limited to the following:
- Responsible for actively supporting Continuous Improvement initiatives of the facility.
- Lead and maintain compliance with IATF 16949 quality management system requirements, customer-specific requirements, applicable regulatory standards, and internal quality procedures.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality processes, procedures, standards, and documentation to ensure product and process compliance.
- Oversee the implementation and maintenance of quality planning tools, including APQP, PPAP submissions, Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, Work Instructions, capability studies, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and other AIAG Core Tools.
- Support new product introduction activities to ensure robust quality planning, process validation, and launch readiness.
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action activities utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone Diagrams, PFMEA, and other continuous improvement tools.
- Lead containment and resolution efforts related to nonconforming materials, internal quality concerns, and customer complaints while ensuring effective and sustainable corrective actions.
- Analyze quality performance metrics, SPC data, process capability results, scrap trends, warranty concerns, and customer feedback to identify improvement opportunities, reduce variation, improve process capability, and enhance overall product quality.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving quality, productivity, cost effectiveness, and operational performance through data-driven decision-making.
- Support calibration systems, layered process audits, and measurement system effectiveness.
- Coordinate and participate in internal, customer, supplier, and third-party audits, including registrar audits, ensuring compliance with quality system requirements and timely completion of audit findings and corrective actions.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, production, and cross-functional teams to improve process capability, resolve quality issues, implement process improvements, and ensure customer expectations are consistently achieved.
- Serve as a key customer and supplier quality liaison by coordinating customer complaint investigations, corrective action responses, supplier quality evaluations, supplier corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship to Quality Engineers, Quality Auditors, Quality Technicians, and production personnel.
- Support quality training initiatives and promote a culture of accountability, quality awareness, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
- Prepare, analyze, and present quality performance reports, scorecards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and improvement initiatives to management, customers, and stakeholders while effectively communicating quality concerns and opportunities across all levels of the organization.
- All other reasonable duties as assigned by a supervisor or any member of management.
Competencies and Qualifications
- English proficiency required, including both verbal and written communication.
- Strong knowledge of quality systems and industry standards, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA.
- Advanced problem-solving skills using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, and root cause analysis tools.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, process capability, defect prevention, and continuous improvement principles.
- Proficiency in blueprint reading, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and interpretation of engineering specifications.
- Experience with metrology tools, CMMs, gage calibration systems, and measurement system analysis.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and drive data-based decision making.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, production, supply chain, and customer teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead cross-functional initiatives, and support new product launches in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ERP/MRP systems (Plex or similar preferred).
- Strong customer focus with the ability to interface directly with OEMs and suppliers on quality-related matters.
- Demonstrated experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ability to train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to quality and production personnel.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Quality, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or related technical field required; equivalent combination of education and extensive experience may be considered.
- 5–10+ years of progressive quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in the automotive or precision machining industry.
- Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and related quality core tools.
- Proven experience leading root cause investigations, corrective actions, audits, and customer/supplier quality initiatives.
- Hands-on experience supporting new product launches, production validation, and process capability improvement.
- Proficiency in blueprint reading, GD&T, metrology equipment, CMMs, and inspection/measurement systems.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Plex preferred) and data-driven quality reporting tools.
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or other advanced quality certification preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
This position is primarily performed in a professional office environment with regular interaction throughout the manufacturing facility. Occasional travel between company locations or to off-site meetings and events may be required. The manufacturing environment may include exposure to machinery, moving equipment, forklift traffic, noise, temperature fluctuations, and other industrial conditions, requiring adherence to all company safety policies and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering production areas.
The physical requirements of this position include the ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work, as well as the ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office and manufacturing facilities as needed. The employee must be able to operate a computer, telephone, copier, and other standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communications, and occasionally lift or move office materials weighing up to 20 pounds. The ability to maintain confidentiality, manage multiple priorities, and work occasional extended hours to support executive schedules, meetings, company events, and business needs may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
