Quality Assurance Engineer MI

JOST International Corp•Grand Haven, MI

18h

About The Position

JOST International is a Tier 1 automotive supplier serving the commercial truck, trailer, and agriculture markets. The Quality Assurance Engineer reports to the Quality Control Manager and plans, schedules, conducts, or coordinates product layout, measurement system analysis (MSA), control plans, process capability work, and product testing. The position assists with PFMEA and other APQP tasks, participates in internal corrective actions, and works with other departments on continuous improvement projects. It also performs precise conventional part layouts, process and product audits, and evaluations of returned products, along with other assigned Quality Assurance functions. The role supports product testing for PPAP, engineering, product design, and process validation; engineering change implementation; and APQP development. It leads quality planning and validation for new equipment launches, automation projects, and manufacturing process changes. The engineer develops and maintains process controls, statistical process control methods, inspection standards, procedures, and validation documentation. The role also supports automated inspection systems, analyzes quality data, leads structured root-cause investigations, participates in manufacturing improvement projects, and supports audits and related corrective actions. The position is accountable for ensuring shipped products meet customer expectations and JOST design requirements.

Requirements

Quality Engineering degree, ASQ CQE Certification, or equivalent experience.
3–5 years of Quality Engineering experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
Experience with measuring devices such as CMM/FARO equipment, calipers, and height gauges.
Understanding of ISO 9001 and AIAG core tools, including MSA, APQP, PPAP, control plans, and FMEA.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical, math, and computer skills, including intermediate Microsoft Excel skills.
Ability to gain knowledge of products, market requirements, customer requirements, and the industry.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, customer specifications, and testing requirements.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Experience using quality and manufacturing software systems for data collection, reporting, and analysis.
Ability to comply with quality, environmental, and safety policies and procedures, and to learn, understand, interpret, and follow JOST Basic Processes.
Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Dependable, motivated, self-driven, and able to maintain excellent attendance.
Ability to safely and consistently sit, stand, stoop, bend, twist, reach, and kneel as required, and lift up to 51 pounds safely and correctly.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting implementation, validation, and ongoing monitoring of machine vision and automated inspection systems, including AI-driven inspection technologies.
Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification.

Responsibilities

Conduct product testing to support PPAP, engineering, product design, and process validation.
Support engineering with ECN implementation and APQP development, ensuring PFMEA, control plans, and work instructions align.
Perform dimensional measurement, product layout inspections, and product validation activities for capability studies, MSA, process validation, and product validation.
Ensure products shipped to customers meet customer expectations and JOST design requirements.
Lead creation of production control plans and PFMEA to coordinate manufacturing and quality process controls.
Lead quality planning and validation for new equipment launches, automation projects, and manufacturing process changes.
Define, execute, and approve process validation activities, including capability studies, Run-at-Rate trials, and production readiness assessments.
Develop and maintain SPC methodologies, monitor process capability (Cp/Cpk/Ppk), and drive corrective actions when processes fail to meet targets.
Support implementation, validation, and ongoing monitoring of automated inspection systems, including AI vision systems, camera-based equipment, sensors, and Poka-Yoke devices.
Establish acceptance criteria, challenge testing methods, and revalidation requirements for automated inspection systems.
Analyze production, inspection, and quality data to identify trends, risks, and process improvement opportunities.
Lead root-cause investigations using structured methods such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and DMAIC.
Participate in cross-functional manufacturing improvement projects to reduce variation, improve capability, and increase process effectiveness.
Develop quality standards and reaction plans for critical manufacturing processes and automated inspection equipment.
Support internal, customer, and third-party audits and lead corrective actions related to audit findings.
Create and maintain inspection standards, quality procedures, validation reports, and supporting documentation in accordance with customer and company requirements.
Perform other assigned duties that are logically inherent to the position.