Automotive Quality Systems & Launch Engineer

Step into a hands-on quality role where the factory floor is your office and data is your compass. You’ll blend structured problem solving with real-time decision-making to keep production stable, customers satisfied, and new programs launching smoothly.

A day in this role

• Morning: Walk the line, review overnight scrap and rework, validate containment, and align with production, maintenance, tooling, and engineering on any quality holds.
• Midday: Lead an 8D on a recurring defect using 5-Why and Fishbone; update PFMEA and Control Plan to reflect corrective and preventive actions; prepare customer updates.
• Afternoon: Compile PPAP evidence, coordinate MSA and SPC checks, run layered process audits, and coach operators on inspection standards and work instructions.
• End of day: Analyze trend data in Excel, flag risks, and set up experiments or verification steps to confirm the effectiveness of implemented actions.

Core responsibilities

• Own day-to-day quality support on the manufacturing floor—identify, investigate, contain, and eradicate issues at the source.
• Drive structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) and implement robust corrective and preventive actions to address true root cause.
• Lead and support APQP activities, PPAP submissions, PFMEA updates, Control Plans, MSA studies, and SPC monitoring.
• Create and maintain PPAP documentation and meet customer-specific quality requirements.
• Partner cross-functionally with production, engineering, maintenance, tooling, and management to resolve concerns quickly and permanently.
• Monitor process capability and performance; reduce scrap, rework, defects, and customer complaints through data-driven improvements.
• Develop and sustain inspection standards, control plans, standard work, and other quality documents.
• Plan and execute process, product, and layered audits; ensure compliance to internal, customer, and automotive standards.
• Support customer and supplier quality activities including containment, root-cause analysis, and corrective action tracking.
• Assist new product launches and process changes from concept through production, ensuring quality is designed-in and validated.
• Communicate directly with automotive customers on concerns, corrective actions, and PPAP expectations.
• Help establish and continuously improve incoming, in-process, and final inspection processes.
• Champion a culture of accountability, discipline, and continuous improvement across the plant.

What you bring

• 3+ years as a Quality Engineer in manufacturing.
• Automotive experience strongly preferred; Tier 1 supplier background highly preferred.
• Proficiency with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, 8D, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications.
• Experience with automotive customer requirements and quality standards.
• Strong analytical skills; adept at using statistical tools and quality data to spot trends and recurring issues.
• Clear communicator who collaborates effectively with production and engineering teams.
• Comfortable spending significant time on the manufacturing floor and resolving issues in real time.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Preferred

• Direct work with major automotive OEMs.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 systems and customer-specific requirements.
• Background conducting internal, process, and layered audits.
• Hands-on with gage R&R and measurement systems analysis.
• Supplier quality and SCAR experience.
• Support of new program launches and production transfers.
• Exposure to machining, stamping, welding, assembly, or similar automotive processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred.

Who thrives here

A builder and doer who owns issues end-to-end—from containment through root cause, corrective action, verification, and customer closure—and is energized by fast-paced production environments.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Full-time position
• Opportunity for advancement
• High-impact, hands-on responsibilities
• Collaborative manufacturing environment
• Work on automotive production programs and customer requirements