Quality and Materials Engineer

Job Type: Direct Hire

Summary

We are a Tier One and Tier Two automotive supplier providing products and services for diverse propulsion technologies. The Quality and Materials Engineer enhances business processes and product efficiency, ensures adherence to quality standards, and implements corrective actions to improve product reliability. This role involves troubleshooting, cross-functional collaboration, and working directly with customers to resolve quality-related issues.

Quality Support

• Support the Quality & Engineering Manager with the daily execution of Engineering, Quality Laboratory, and Manufacturing Engineering activities.
• Partner with the Director of HR, Supply Chain Manager, and Warehouse Manager to implement quality expectations across warehouse, production, and sub-assembly operations.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and maintaining quality procedures, work instructions, and operating standards.
• Support incoming, in-process, and outgoing quality assurance activities to ensure compliance with customer and internal requirements.
• Provide quality training and hands-on coaching to production personnel on quality standards, inspection methods, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct routine quality and safety audits in warehouse and production operations, and communicate findings and corrective action recommendations to management.

Quality Systems Support

• Support the Quality Management System (QMS) through document control, record maintenance, audit preparation, compliance monitoring, and department support.
• Perform internal audits, document findings, verify corrective actions, and assist departments in maintaining compliance with company procedures and applicable quality standards.
• Assist with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, EMS, EcoVadis, and other applicable certification requirements, including documentation, audit preparation, corrective actions, and compliance activities.
• Assist with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and other quality documentation and customer-specific requirements.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation, procedures, inspection records, and engineering quality files.

Customer Quality Support

• Support the Quality & Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering & Quality with customer quality concerns and corrective action activities.
• Investigate customer complaints through root cause analysis (RCA), coordinate corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and verify the effectiveness of solutions.
• Prepare customer quality documentation, including 8D reports, CARs, corrective action responses, and supporting technical documentation.
• Travel to customer facilities as required for investigations, product reviews, audits, launches, quality meetings, and relationship development.
• Serve as the assigned quality engineering contact for customer issues delegated by the Manager or Director.

Continuous Improvement

• Support continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and other problem-solving methodologies.
• Conduct root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Collect, analyze, and report quality performance data to support departmental KPI monitoring and improvement initiatives.
• Recommend process improvements based on quality trends, inspection results, customer feedback, and manufacturing performance.

Launch and Engineering Support

• Support Engineering and Quality activities for new product launches, from prototype through production.
• Participate in cross-functional launch meetings, validation activities, capability studies, production readiness reviews, and customer launch requirements.
• Assist with engineering changes, validation activities, and launch documentation.
• Verify compliance with customer specifications, drawings, standards, and quality requirements before production release.

Laboratory and Materials Engineering

• Coordinate metallurgical testing, dimensional inspections, hardness testing, microstructure analysis, and material evaluations for cylinder liners and other products.
• Oversee laboratory testing activities as assigned, ensuring compliance with quality procedures and industry standards.
• Interpret laboratory test results and collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to resolve material-related concerns.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, calibration records, traceability records, and testing reports.
• Coordinate third-party laboratory testing when required.
• Monitor laboratory safety practices and equipment maintenance.
• Support compliance with applicable ASTM, SAE, customer-specific, and automotive material standards.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Warehouse Operations, Production, and Human Resources to support quality objectives.
• Participate in customer, supplier, and internal audits, as well as corrective action activities.
• Support engineering and manufacturing teams with technical problem-solving and process improvements.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the Quality & Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering & Quality.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering is required.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing, particularly in cylinder liner operations or metal automotive parts, is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working with international clients is highly desirable.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, analytical skills, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage and maintain a documented system of quality policies and procedures.

Skills and Competencies

Communication, a positive problem-solving attitude, proficiency with the MS Office Suite, internet skills, organization and planning, attention to detail, teamwork, reliability, accuracy, flexibility, professionalism, and effective reporting skills.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k); short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; tuition reimbursement; and PTO. Eligibility and terms are subject to company policy.