Lead Quality Engineer

Adient•Lakewood, MI

17h•Onsite

About The Position

Lead Quality Engineer – Adient Lakewood Plant Key Responsibilities Quality Leadership & Performance Management Weld Cut & Etch Knowledge and Experience (Leading a team of technicians is even better) Able to Support Leading Floor Quality Technicians at times Lead and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality , process capability , and operational efficiency . Serve as the senior technical authority for resolving complex customer and supplier concerns using structured methodologies (8D, Kepner‑Tregoe, etc.). Ensure full compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements across all quality deliverables . Lead cross‑functional quality reviews and drive rapid containment , corrective action , and preventive action activities . APQP, Launch Support & Program Leadership Lead the preparation , review , and submission of complete PPAP packages , ensuring accuracy and on ‑time approval . Drive supplier APQP readiness , ensuring suppliers meet all quality , documentation , and launch requirements . Serve as a key quality leader for new program launches , ensuring process validation , readiness , and deliverable completion . Coordinate and lead customer-facing reviews on APQP timing, engineering changes , and open issues . Gage , Process Control & Statistical Expertise Oversee , validate , and approve gage studies ( Gage R&R, Bias , Linearity , Stability ) prior to production use or after engineering changes . Lead the development , maintenance , and auditing of Control Plans , Inspection Plans , and Containment Plans . Support PFMEA development and ensure alignment between PFMEA, Control Plan, and shop‑ floor documentation . Utilize advanced statistical tools and coach the team on SPC methodologies , data- driven decision making , and proper statistical application . Customer & Supplier Interface Act as the primary point of contact for assigned customers , managing all quality-related communication and escalations . Build and maintain strong customer relationships through proactive updates , rapid responsiveness , and professional communication . Coordinate sorting , rework , or on -site containment activities when . Travel to customer sites (10–25%) to support issue resolution and represent the plant quality organization . Team Leadership & Development Provide day‑to-day leadership to Quality Technicians , Cut & Etch Operators , and junior Quality Engineers . Assign tasks , review work quality , and implement corrective action when needed . Mentor and train team members on problem‑solving , quality systems , customer portals , and plant processes . Support the Quality Manager with strategic planning and departmental improvement initiatives . Systems , Documentation & Technical Support Lead the creation , maintenance , and auditing of quality documentation including ODS, Control Plans , and compliance requirements . Use customer systems such as Stellantis PRISM, GM PRR, Ford WERS, Honda NARS , and others as . Approve post‑SOP supplier PPAPs and verify supplier compliance . Support process validation and capability studies for critical and significant characteristics . Additional Responsibilities Collaborate with HSE and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure safe , efficient work practices . Complete all training mandated by Adient and OEM customers . Perform additional duties as assigned by the Quality Manager. Exercise independent judgment in situations not fully defined by established procedures . Qualifications & Experience Education Bachelor’s degree in Engineering ( or equivalent technical experience ). Experience 5+ years of experience with an engineering degree OR 9+ years of experience without a degree but with relevant certifications /training. Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineer experience in high‑volume manufacturing . Automotive manufacturing experience , with Tier 1/2/3 experience strongly preferred . Demonstrated success leading root -cause analysis , problem-solving , and continuous improvement initiatives . Strong record of reliability , teamwork , and professional communication . Weld Cut & Etch Knowledge and Experience (Leading a team of technicians is even better) Able to Support Leading Floor Quality Technicians at times Technical Skills Formal training in core quality disciplines, including : ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans SPC, MSA, DOE Continuous Improvement & Total Quality Management Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T . Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and quality software tools . Experience with GMAW and Laser Welding strongly preferred . Assembly experience preferred , especially in automotive or high‑volume operations . Certifications ( Preferred ) APQP certification – strongly preferred CQE ( Certified Quality Engineer ) – strongly preferred IATF 16949 certification – preferred Competencies Strong leadership , coaching, and team development abilities . Excellent analytical and root ‑cause problem‑solving skills . High customer focus and professional communication skills . Strong time management with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks . Success working cross-functionally in collaborative , fast -paced environments . PRIMARY LOCATION Lakewood

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering ( or equivalent technical experience )
5+ years of experience with an engineering degree OR 9+ years of experience without a degree but with relevant certifications /training
Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineer experience in high‑volume manufacturing
Automotive manufacturing experience , with Tier 1/2/3 experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated success leading root -cause analysis , problem-solving , and continuous improvement initiatives
Strong record of reliability , teamwork , and professional communication
Weld Cut & Etch Knowledge and Experience (Leading a team of technicians is even better) Able to Support Leading Floor Quality Technicians at times
Formal training in core quality disciplines, including : ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans SPC, MSA, DOE Continuous Improvement & Total Quality Management
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and quality software tools
Experience with GMAW and Laser Welding strongly preferred
Assembly experience preferred , especially in automotive or high‑volume operations
Strong leadership , coaching, and team development abilities
Excellent analytical and root ‑cause problem‑solving skills
High customer focus and professional communication skills
Strong time management with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks
Success working cross-functionally in collaborative , fast -paced environments

Nice To Haves

APQP certification – strongly preferred
CQE ( Certified Quality Engineer ) – strongly preferred
IATF 16949 certification – preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality , process capability , and operational efficiency
Serve as the senior technical authority for resolving complex customer and supplier concerns using structured methodologies (8D, Kepner‑Tregoe, etc.)
Ensure full compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements across all quality deliverables
Lead cross‑functional quality reviews and drive rapid containment , corrective action , and preventive action activities
Lead the preparation , review , and submission of complete PPAP packages , ensuring accuracy and on ‑time approval
Drive supplier APQP readiness , ensuring suppliers meet all quality , documentation , and launch requirements
Serve as a key quality leader for new program launches , ensuring process validation , readiness , and deliverable completion
Coordinate and lead customer-facing reviews on APQP timing, engineering changes , and open issues
Oversee , validate , and approve gage studies ( Gage R&R, Bias , Linearity , Stability ) prior to production use or after engineering changes
Lead the development , maintenance , and auditing of Control Plans , Inspection Plans , and Containment Plans
Support PFMEA development and ensure alignment between PFMEA, Control Plan, and shop‑ floor documentation
Utilize advanced statistical tools and coach the team on SPC methodologies , data- driven decision making , and proper statistical application
Act as the primary point of contact for assigned customers , managing all quality-related communication and escalations
Build and maintain strong customer relationships through proactive updates , rapid responsiveness , and professional communication
Coordinate sorting , rework , or on -site containment activities when
Travel to customer sites (10–25%) to support issue resolution and represent the plant quality organization
Provide day‑to-day leadership to Quality Technicians , Cut & Etch Operators , and junior Quality Engineers
Assign tasks , review work quality , and implement corrective action when needed
Mentor and train team members on problem‑solving , quality systems , customer portals , and plant processes
Support the Quality Manager with strategic planning and departmental improvement initiatives
Lead the creation , maintenance , and auditing of quality documentation including ODS, Control Plans , and compliance requirements
Use customer systems such as Stellantis PRISM, GM PRR, Ford WERS, Honda NARS , and others as
Approve post‑SOP supplier PPAPs and verify supplier compliance
Support process validation and capability studies for critical and significant characteristics
Collaborate with HSE and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure safe , efficient work practices
Complete all training mandated by Adient and OEM customers
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Quality Manager
Exercise independent judgment in situations not fully defined by established procedures