QUALITY ENGINEER (AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING), CHATTANOOGA, TN, USA – #5848

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IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. is currently assisting a client in their search for a QUALITY ENGINEER for their automotive manufacturing client located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Our client is a global Tier 1 automotive supplier specializing in the production of highly engineered formed plastic components supporting leading automotive OEMs throughout North America.

This is an excellent opportunity for a quality-focused manufacturing professional with strong automotive experience who enjoys driving customer satisfaction, leading quality initiatives, supporting new product launches, and improving manufacturing processes within a fast-paced production environment.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to Quality Leadership, the Quality Engineer will play a critical role in supporting customer quality, new program launches, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality system compliance throughout the manufacturing operation.

The successful candidate will serve as a key liaison between customers, suppliers, engineering, production, purchasing, and quality teams while ensuring products consistently meet customer requirements, industry standards, and internal quality expectations.

This role is ideal for an automotive quality professional with strong expertise in APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, root cause analysis, and automotive quality systems who thrives in a collaborative manufacturing environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

New Product Introduction & Program Launches

  • Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities from program launch through production approval
  • Coordinate prototype sample production, evaluation, and customer submissions
  • Manage new program timing, milestones, and launch activities to ensure successful production readiness
  • Drive error-free launches while ensuring customer requirements are met throughout all phases of program development
  • Coordinate engineering changes and maintain associated documentation and records
  • Facilitate program reviews, launch meetings, and cross-functional project communications

Customer Quality & Supplier Quality

  • Serve as the primary quality liaison between customers, suppliers, and internal teams
  • Maintain direct communication with customers regarding quality concerns, corrective actions, program launches, and quality performance
  • Support customer-specific requirements including:
    • Ford
    • Toyota
    • Volkswagen
    • Other automotive OEMs
  • Ensure customer satisfaction throughout all phases of product development and production

Quality Systems & Compliance

  • Support and maintain compliance with:
    • IATF 16949
    • Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) requirements
    • Customer-specific quality standards
  • Lead implementation and continuous improvement of automotive quality systems and processes
  • Maintain quality documentation, procedures, and records
  • Support internal audits, external audits, and customer audits as required

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

  • Lead root cause investigations utilizing:
    • 8D Methodology
    • 5 Why Analysis
    • Statistical Analysis
    • Structured Problem-Solving Techniques
  • Drive initiatives focused on:
    • Defect reduction
    • PPM improvement
    • Scrap reduction
    • Process capability improvement
    • Customer satisfaction
  • Analyze production and quality data to identify opportunities for process optimization and operational excellence
  • Work closely with manufacturing teams to improve product quality and process performance

Quality Engineering & Statistical Analysis

  • Develop and maintain:
    • PFMEAs
    • Control Plans
    • Process Flow Diagrams
    • Work Instructions
  • Support Gauge R&R studies and capability analysis
  • Establish and manage gauge and fixture calibration programs
  • Utilize statistical tools and methodologies including:
    • SPC
    • Capability Studies
    • Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
    • Statistical Data Analysis
  • Prepare and maintain PPAP documentation and customer submission packages

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner closely with:
    • Manufacturing
    • Engineering
    • Production
    • Purchasing
    • Sales
    • Inspection Teams
    • Suppliers
  • Support manufacturing quality improvements and operational excellence initiatives
  • Mentor and support team members on quality processes, systems, and best practices

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Degree or Diploma in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related discipline
  • Minimum 3+ years of Quality Engineering experience within an automotive manufacturing environment
  • Strong experience with:
    • TS16949 – non-negotiable
    • APQP
    • PPAP – non-negotiable
    • PFMEA
    • Control Plans
    • SPC
    • MSA
    • Capability Analysis
    • 8D Problem Solving
  • Working knowledge of:
    • IATF 16949
    • AIAG Core Tools
    • Customer-specific automotive requirements
  • Experience interacting directly with automotive customers and suppliers
  • Strong understanding of GD&T and engineering drawings
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills

Preferred

  • Experience supporting Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, or other automotive OEMs
  • Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) designation
  • Lead Auditor certification or training
  • Experience within plastics, injection molding, formed plastics, or automotive component manufacturing environments
  • Experience utilizing MPACT or similar manufacturing quality systems

WHAT OUR CLIENT IS LOOKING FOR

  • Strong automotive quality professional with a customer-focused mindset
  • Proven APQP and launch management experience
  • Skilled problem solver with strong analytical capabilities
  • Effective communicator capable of building relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders
  • Detail-oriented quality leader who thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments
  • Continuous improvement advocate focused on driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

Success will be measured through:

  • Customer satisfaction and quality performance
  • PPAP submission accuracy and timeliness
  • Successful new product launches
  • Reduction in PPM and customer quality concerns
  • Continuous improvement results
  • Quality system compliance
  • Cross-functional collaboration and communication effectiveness

WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY?

  • Join a global Tier 1 automotive supplier serving leading OEM customers
  • Play a key role in new product launches and customer quality initiatives
  • Highly visible position with direct impact on customer satisfaction and operational performance
  • Collaborative manufacturing environment with strong growth potential
  • Opportunity to work with advanced automotive quality systems and methodologies
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package

APPLY TODAY

Qualified and interested applicants are encouraged to apply in confidence by submitting a MS Word resume to:  info@indemand.ca

ONLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. may use artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled tools to support certain aspects of our recruitment process, including the screening and assessment of applications. These tools are used to assist with organizing, reviewing, and evaluating candidate information and do not replace human judgment or decision-making.