Advanced Quality Engineer

Yanfeng•Fountain Inn, SC

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for coordinating and communicating YF IOS, IATF, and Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs), leading plant-functional teams to ensure compliance. The position ensures products, services, or projects meet high-quality standards and regulatory requirements by managing quality across the entire lifecycle/launch. This includes overseeing quality assurance, driving continuous improvement, managing audits, and leading cross-functional teams to eliminate defects and boost customer satisfaction. The role also involves facilitating/participating in the Manufacturing development of Process Flows (PF) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) documents for assigned Launch programs, and assuring the development of Design and Process Control Plans based on customer requirements, Characteristic Matrix, and FMEAs. Additionally, the Advanced Quality Engineer will facilitate and assure the development of appropriate Measurement System Analysis (MSA) plans, identify statistical tools for process capability assessment, and verify measuring devices are included on the Control Plan and PDFSS Scorecard. The position ensures the preparation and on-time delivery of new product Launch related Customer Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) packages, and that initial capability studies are properly performed and documented. The role also includes facilitating/participating in Engineering Design Reviews and developing the Characteristic Matrix. The Advanced Quality Engineer is responsible for coordinating and supporting the team to achieve YF IOS/IATF 16949 certifications and others as required, developing the process to implement, achieve, and maintain these standards, and maintaining local documents to uphold compliance. They will provide awareness to all levels of the plant team regarding changes to YF IOS, IATF16949, and/or Customer Specific Requirements, and develop/maintain a schedule for all YF IOS internal, IATF16949, and other external party audits. The role also supports Corporate 2nd Party Audits as Co-Auditor and Lead, requiring certification as an IOS Lead Auditor. Additional responsibilities include deploying YF IOS corporate strategic implementation plans, supporting training and coaching on YF IOS, IATF 16949, and other requirements, and supporting the prevention of non-conformity issues, coordinating resolution processes, and ensuring on-time responses using Problem Solving Tools. The role also coordinates Management Reviews, supports with data, and follows up on open issues. The Advanced Quality Engineer will be a role model in adhering to YF IOS, IATF, and Customer Requirements, perform job functions in accordance with set policies and procedures, support the continuous improvement philosophy, drive continuous improvement initiatives, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions. They will lead internal and external quality audits, serve as the key quality representative to customers and suppliers, monitor quality metrics, analyze trends, and present data-driven reports. The position provides leadership and training to staff on quality standards and tools, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum 1-3 years of relevant experience in advanced quality engineering with direct customer contact and project management.
2+ Years of Experience within the automotive industry.
Core Tools knowledge.
Solid knowledge of PFMEA, CP.
Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants which might require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.
Must be organized and able to communicate well with others.
Knowledge of statistical concepts, design of experiments and problem-solving methodology is required. Six Sigma certification or equivalent experience is required.
Working knowledge and demonstrated competence of IATF16949.
IATF 16949 training as Lead Auditor.
Certified Lead YF IOS auditor. If not, must be obtained within 1 year.
Understand, apply and meet all function related YF IOS requirements.
Understand, apply and meet all function related EHS requirements.
Understand, apply and meet all function-related Product Safety requirements.
Understand, apply and meet all function-related Compliance requirements.
Understand, apply and meet all function-related IT / Information Security and confidentiality of YFAI information requirements.
Must comply with all company policies and procedures.
Employee must have the ability to work additional hours and / or overtime as needed or assigned to complete job duties on time.
Ability to multitask, interact politely and professionally with customers, suppliers and vendors, and work cooperatively with employees at all levels.
Ability to maintain predictable and regular attendance, arrive to designated location on time, or be at assigned location ready to work for assignment (plant, corporate office, or remote).

Nice To Haves

Black Belt certification and experience with Minitab software is highly desirable.
Knowledge and experience in Lean Manufacturing methods is highly desirable.
Excellent problem-solving skills, including experience preparing problem solving documents such as 8D’s.
MSA knowledge.
VDA standards.
Customer Specific Requirements knowledge.
Certifications such as Certified Quality Eng (CQE) or Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt are often preferred
Problem Solving Methodology (8D, PDCA, DMAIC, Kaizen, etc), including Root Cause Analysis Tools (5W3L, Ishikawa, KT Is/Is Not, etc).
Training Skills.
MS Office proficiency.
Excellent performance (detailed, accurate, efficient, organized, ability to plan, motivated, committed, flexible, assertive and developmental), communication (verbal, written, listening) and interpersonal (relationship building, teamwork, conflict resolution, customer orientation) skills.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and communicate YF IOS, IATF, and Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs); lead plant-functional teams to ensure compliance.
Ensures products, services, or projects meet high-quality standards and regulatory requirements, by managing quality across the entire lifecycle/launch. Oversee quality assurance, drive continuous improvement, manage audits, and lead cross-functional teams to eliminate defects and boost customer satisfaction
Facilitate/participate in the Manufacturing development of Process Flows (PF) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) documents for assigned Launch programs.
Facilitate and assure development of Design and Process Control Plans. These shall be based on customer requirements, Characteristic Matrix and FMEAs.
Facilitate and assure development of appropriate Measurement System Analysis (MSA) plan for the Launch. Identify appropriate statistical tools and techniques required for assessing process capability and verify all measuring devices are included on the Control Plan and PDFSS Scorecard
Ensure preparation and on-time delivery of new product Launch related Customer Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) packages.
Ensure initial capability studies are properly performed and documented for initial builds and product changes affecting special characteristics, and that Customer and internal requirements are met (or a written Customer deviation is obtained).
Facilitate/participate in Engineering Design Reviews of specifications and drawings related to the system and develop the Characteristic Matrix.
Responsible to coordinate and support the team to achieve YF IOS/IATF 16949 certifications and others as required (e.g. VDA, BIQS, CQC, etc).
Develop the process to implement, achieve and maintain YF IOS/IATF 16949
Maintain local documents to uphold compliance to Global, Regional YF IOS requirements, IATF 16949, Customer Specific Requirements, and other regulatory requirements.
Responsible to provide awareness to all levels of the plant team when changes and/or updates are made to YF IOS, IATF16949 and/or Customer Specific Requirements.
Develop and maintain a schedule for all YF IOS internal, IATF16949 and other external party audits, with the objective of identifying gaps and supporting with corrective/preventive actions.
Support Corporate 2nd Party Audits as Co-Auditor and Lead. Certification as IOS Lead Auditor is required.
Responsible to deploy YF IOS corporate strategic implementation plans.
Responsible to support training and work in the different plant departments and teams, providing coaching on YF IOS, IATF 16949 and other requirements, as applicable.
Responsible to support the prevention of any non-conformity issues, and if any non-conformity is detected during an audit, coordinate the resolution process and response on-time using Problem Solving Tools to achieve sustainability of actions.
Responsible to coordinate Management Reviews with the Plant Manager, support with data, and follow-up of open issues, as required.
Be a role model in the adherence of YF IOS, IATF and Customer Requirements.
Perform job functions in accordance with set policies and procedures to ensure preservation of the Company Quality Policy.
Support the comprehensive continuous improvement philosophy for all Yanfeng disciplines.
Drives continuous improvement initiatives, performing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions to prevent defects.
Leads internal and external quality audits, managing audit findings and ensuring adherence to compliance requirements.
Serves as the key quality representative to customers and suppliers to ensure requirements are met or exceeded.
Monitors quality metrics, analyzes trends, and presents data-driven reports to senior management.
Provides leadership and training to staff on quality standards and tools
Other duties as assigned.